First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
August 9, 2026
Rev. Brian Copeland
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
CHIMES (Preparing ourselves for worship.)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
The Lord does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
HYMN #457 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
We come seeking God’s voice, a voice that loves us, cares for us, but also challenges us to do better, to love more fully, and believe more wholeheartedly. Let us be honest with God about where we are on our journey.
Holy God, it is easy to confess with our lips that you are Lord, but it is much harder to believe with our hearts, to live in a way that puts you first. We are quick to trust in idols. We depend on what we can see, touch, and control, instead of waiting to hear your still, small voice. Forgive us, Lord, and help our unbelief, so that what we confess with our lips we may truly believe in our hearts.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. There are no prerequisites, no disqualifications, no exceptions.
We are saved, we are forgiven, we are freed! Hallelujah!
SPECIAL MUSIC
PRAYER FOR ILLUMIINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Holy, Holy, Holy One, guide us by the Spirit of truth to hear the Word of life you speak,
and to give all glory, honor, and praise to your threefold name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Liturgist
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 14:22-33 Rev. Brian Copeland
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #286 Give to the Winds Thy Fears
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.32–33
The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to men and women commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering
so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. So to live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Hymnal p. 16 Traditional)
Let us pray in the Spirit, who helps us in our weakness, interceding with sighs too deep for words. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and side tables.)
DOXOLOGY (Hymn 592)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
God of unending gifts, we praise you for your abundant goodness. As you are generous, we want to be generous too. May the gifts we bring extend your generosity into the world, so that all people may be made whole by your goodness and grace. Amen.
HYMN #423 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
*LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE. Please ask the greeter.
Reminders:
Aug. 10 – Our turn at the food pantry
Aug. 21 – Sennett Federated Potter’s Pop-Up Kitchen
Sept. 18 – Doug’s to Go fundraiser at WFPC to benefit Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund
Sept. 25 – Sennett Federated Potter’s Pop-Up Kitchen
Oct. 3 & 4 – Honor Flight bottle and can drive
Oct. 16 – Sennett Federated Potter’s Pop-Up Kitchen
Oct. 18 – Joint worship with MFPC at MFPCat 11 a.m.
