A Warm Welcome Awaits You!
+ORDER OF SERVICE+
September 13th, 2026
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Blessing of the Backpacks
Prelude: Antiphon and Versets – David Lasky
In Thee is Gladness – Dale Wood
Welcome and Announcements (10:25 am)
Entry of the Word (please rise)
Greeting and Call to Worship
Our help is in the name of the Lord our God,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
who is present with us at all times,
who is loving and gracious to all,
who calls us to follow in the way of truth,
whose way is freedom and life.
Hymn # 410: Joyful, joyful, we adore you
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Hymn # 655: Give me oil in my lamp
Blessing of the Backpacks
Anthem: Come, Christians, Join to Sing – Stan Pethel
Prayer of Illumination
O God of Wisdom, prepare our hearts and minds
to receive your Word. Where it challenges us,
lead us by your Spirit to respond in faithfulness,
for the sake of the One
who gives us both courage and compassion,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Old Testament Genesis 50:15-21
Responsive Reading Psalm 103:1-5 (Refrain I)
Epistle Romans 14:7-12
Gospel Matthew 18:21-35
Sermon “Reconciliation Day”
Hymn # 751: Forgive our sins as we forgive
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Offering: Come, Humble Sinner – David Lasky
Doxology # 661: We give thee but thine own (v.1)
Hymn # 371: Love divine, all loves excelling
Benediction
Parting Hymn: “Go Now In Peace”
Go now in peace, never be afraid;
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong, and true;
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe;
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, watching from above;
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price. Copyright 1988 Harold Flammer Music. OneLicense #A-742310
Postlude: Exultemus – Noel Rawsthorne
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please remember in your prayers any member of the congregation who is sick, recovering from surgery, or in need of prayer.
Congratulations to Scott Dunbar on another successful “Walk for Parkinson’s” that was held yesterday. You are an inspiration, Scott!
BLESSING OF THE BACK-PACKS: To-day! With a new school year upon us, students are invited to bring their back-packs to church for a blessing and a small gift. May God bless our students as they return to their studies.
WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:
Monday, Sept. 14 – Flower Guild – 9:30 AM
Monday, Sept. 14 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4 PM – 6 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Office Closed
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 PM
Thursday, Sept. 17 – Choir Lunch – 12:30 PM
Thursday, Sept. 17 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Men’s Breakfast – 9:00 AM
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday, Sept. 20 – Food Bank Sunday
MEN’S BREAKFAST: The Men’s Breakfast will be this coming Saturday, Sept. 19th. Join us at 9:00 AM for breakfast, followed by our guest speaker, Bill Kechnie, Outreach Co-ordinator for the Celebrate Recovery Programme at Elgin Missionary Church. All are welcome.
FOOD BANK SUNDAY: Just a reminder that Food Bank Sunday is next Sunday. Please remember to bring your donations of food or cash.
NEW OFFICE HOURS: The church office hours have been changed to Tuesday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
COMMUNITY MEALS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Community Meals will be starting up again in October, on the first two Thursdays of each month. If this Outreach programme is to continue, we will need volunteers who are interested in greeting our guests, serving in the Dining Room, cooking, or cleaning up. If you are interested, please contact Bill or Evie Schreiter at 226-880 0216.
CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2027: The office will be contacting those who use church envelopes to confirm that they want envelopes in 2027. If you do not currently use envelopes but would like to do so next year, please let the office know and they will be available for you in the new year.
FREE SUNDAY BUS SERVICE: There is a free bus service to Sunday worship at St. Andrew's for those in the Stratford area. If you wish to use the bus, please call the Office at St. Andrew's at 519-271 5668 to book a ride. The deadline for booking or cancelling (if you have a weekly scheduled pick up) is 12 Noon on the Friday prior to the Sunday you wish to attend.
SUNDAY COFFEE TIME & FELLOWSHIP: Join us downstairs in McCullough Hall immediately following the worship service for coffee, refreshments, and fellowship. All are welcome.
OPTIMIST CLUB PORK CHOP DINNER: Join the Optimist Club on Thursday, October 1st, 2026 from 5:30-7:30 PM for its Smoked Pork Chop Drive-Thru Dinner. Tickets are $25.00 each and are available from Elton Baker or Scott Dunbar.
HOUSE OF BLESSING RIDE FOR REFUGE: The House of Blessing Food Bank is calling on all churches and individuals to participate in their “Ride for Refuge” on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, to raise money for the Food Bank. See the information on the bulletin board.
COMMUNITY EVENTS: Please see the bulletin board for various community events and concerts in Stratford.