Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-23-26 Final
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. August 23, 2026
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Meeting ID: 235 223 715
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Please mute your computer or phone microphone! Make sure there is a red slash through the microphone icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
This will make the service more enjoyable for all.
** For those with health concerns, masks and safe social distance are suggested within the sanctuary, especially so, when singing or responding in prayer! Masks are available at the rear of the sanctuary.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-36-26 — Summer Worship
Note: Gathering Music will begin at 9:50 with the Prelude to follow
Musician Amy Cann
Gathering Music — “I Would Be True” - a poem for his mother – (Howard Walter)
Prelude — “Let The Sunshine In” – (Charles Gabriel and Ada Blenkhorn)
Let a little sunshine in, let a little sunshine in;
Clear the darkened windows, open wide the door,
Let a little sunshine in.
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #33 “How Great Thou Art” (Carl Boberg 8/16/1859) ©
1 O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed.
[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!
2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
[Refrain]
3 And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in;
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin:
[Refrain]
4 When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
[Refrain]
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
Creator, Holy One, today we sing your praise. We sing to proclaim your salvation. We sing to declare your glory. We sing in thanksgiving for your marvelous deeds, for the beauty of your Creation. Great are you, O Lord, and most worthy of praise. Amen!
*Response: (Hymn #33, Refrain)
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!
Scripture:
Psalm 95: 1–7
O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!
Colossians 3: 12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reflection: “Songs of Praise“ Pastor C.J. King
Synopsis: Today, we weave our reflection through the stories of song writers and the singing of their songs.
*Hymn #113 ““Jesus Loves Me” (Anna Warner 8/31/1827) Verse 2&3 ©
1 Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.
[Refrain]
Yes! Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
2 Jesus loves me! This I know, as he loved so long ago,
taking children on the knee, saying, "Let them come to me."
[Refrain]
3 Jesus loves me! still today, walking with me on the way,
wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live.
[Refrain]
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License
#21383697
*Hymn #546 “Amazing Grace” (John Newton, 8/4/1725)
1 Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
2 'Twas grace first taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
4 When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.
*Hymn: “Send the Light” (last page) (Charles Gabriel, 8/18/1856)
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.)
*Offertory — "His Eye is on the Sparrow" (Charles Gabriel, 8/18/1856)
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: — “Lift Every Voice and Sing" (J. Rosamond Johnson, 8/11/1873)
As the postlude ends, feel free to move about the Sanctuary. Music may continue as you join others for coffee or greet your friends as you exit the Sanctuary. All should feel free to share the peace of this space in the Sanctuary or on Zoom. On Zoom you may unmute your mics and begin virtual coffee hour. (You will temporarily be muted in the Sanctuary.)
In the sanctuary, use appropriate precautions for those with health concerns.*
*Masks are available in the sanctuary for those wishing to use one.
Music Notes:
Howard Arnold Walter was born August 19, 1883 in New Britain, Connecticut. He graduated from Princeton in 1905 then traveled to Japan to teach English. While there he wrote his mother a poem on his philosophy of life ("My Creed"), which became the hymn "I Would Be True.” Later, he studied at Hartford Seminary and was ordained as a Congregationalist minister.
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Ed Gruelich *Flo & Tim Bosch *Ross Ludeman *The Olsson families. *Candace Damon & the Jacobson family *The Arbuckle family *Christian Rogerson & family *Krista Gay *Lima Leland *Darlene Babbitt (Katherine Gorey’s sister) *Joanne Giel *Frances Alford *Conrad Delia
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Family & friends of Norm Robertson *Family & Friends of Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Family & friends of Diana Toomey *Family & friends of Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Family & friends of Kenneth Dorko (Pastor Watson’s nephew) *Family & friends of Dennis Scharback *Family & friends of Arthur Park *Family & friends of Sophie Field *Family & friends of Susan Hadden *Family & friends of Ross & Ginger Ludeman *Family & friends of Christine Kent (daughter of Jean & Galen Johnson)
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Addie Hall Vogel. Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Judy & Chuck Dickison, Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Vernon Green Nursing Home, 61 Greenway Dr Vernon, VT 05354
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org — On Facebook: The Grafton Church
Realize Our Hope for Redemption
with Grafton Community Church