https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rYkk_PUqF4yaO2LVlH5US_UHsca2rfzk/view
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Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-30-26 FINAL
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. August 30 2026
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*Password: 099540
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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, 08-30-26 — Summer Worship
Note: Gathering Music will begin at 9:50 with the Prelude to follow
Musician Amy Cann
Gathering Music/Prelude —
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 #108 “Lift High the Cross” ©
[Refrain]
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
1 Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.
The hosts of God in unity combine.
[Refrain]
2 Each newborn servant of the Crucified
bears on the brow the seal of Christ who died.
[Refrain]
3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
your death has brought us life eternally.
[Refrain]
4 So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the crucified for victory.
[Refrain]
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License
#21383697
* 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, Christ and Holy Spirit; You call us to righteousness and light. Teach us the law of undivided love: May we love all Your children even as you do. May we love You with all our will and strength. And, may we find true freedom in Your blessed service, taught to us in word and deed by Christ Jesus. Amen!
*Response: (Hymn #108, Refrain only)
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
Scripture:
Romans 12: 10-16
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope; be patient in afflictions, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly;
do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Matthew. 16: 21-28
From that time on, [after Simon Peter declared Jesus was the Messiah], Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you."
But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.
Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
*Hymn: #207 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
1 In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime.
2 When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me; lo! it glows with peace and joy.
3 When the sun of bliss is beaming light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming adds new luster to the day.
4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there, that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.
Reflection: “Weight of the Cross“ Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis: In Matthew’s Gospel for this Sunday, we are invited to take up our cross and follow the Christ. Is that a heavy weight to bear or does it actually free us from some of the burdens of the life we live?
*Hymn #452 “Here I Am Lord” ©
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry,
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
[Refrain]
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.
2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
[Refrain]
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
[Refrain]
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 —
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: —
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.
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 & fiends 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
*Conrad Delia, Charles Meadows, 125 Dover Rd. Millis, MA 02054
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