First United Methodist Church of Seattle

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 6, 2026

180 Denny Way Seattle, WA 98109

Order of Worship

Gathering

Prelude Elisabeth Ellis, pianist

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Greeting and Welcome Pastor DJ & Pastor Jackie
Passing of the Peace Pastor DJ & Pastor Jackie
*Responsive Call to Worship Ann Shaffer
God is with us in all that we do,
in every covenant kept and every promise honored,
even between strangers, even between rivals.
We come to make peace. We come to worship.

God, who calls us to a generosity that overflows,
who takes what little we have and multiplies it into abundance,
who delights not in the size of the gift, but the size of the love behind it.
We come with open hands. We come to worship.

God, who plants us in one place and then calls us to another,
who lets what grows in one season become a gift in the next,
who connects us to people and churches we’ve never met.
We come as one body, rooted and still growing. Let us worship.
*Opening Prayer Ann Shaffer
*Opening Hymn TFWS #2222

The Servant Song

Proclaiming

Prayer for Illumination Dan Gustafson
Hebrew Bible Reading Dan Gustafson

Genesis 21: 22-34 (CEB)

New Testament Reading Kathryn Everett

2 Corinthians 8: 1-12 (CEB)

Choral Anthem

May Your Roots Go Deep

Sanctuary Summer Choir; Elisabeth Ellis, director and pianist

Sermon Pastor Ric

Responding

Moment for Reflection

Take a moment now to reflect, pray, or simply be still.

Pastoral Prayer Pastor Jackie
Stewardship Moment
The Offering Ann Shaffer
Offertory Music

Light of a Clear Blue Morning - Dolly Parton, arr. by the Wailin’ Jennys

Lorry, Maryn and Jenna, vocal trio; Elisabeth Ellis, pianist

*Doxology UMH #95

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Prayer of Dedication Pastor Jackie
God, we bring what we have.
Not because it’s impressive.
Not because it’s enough on its own.
But because it’s what we’ve been given to offer.
Use it the way you used the churches of Macedonia,
who gave out of their poverty and called it joy.
Take these gifts, and grow something from them
we could never grow alone.
Amen.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion Pastor DJ & Pastor Ric
Call to Discipleship
Closing Hymn UMH #408

The Gift of Love

Benediction Pastor DJ
Postlude Elisabeth Ellis, Organist

Improvisation on “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

*Please rise in body or spirit
**Our thanks to those helping in worship: Worship Leader, Ann Shaffer; Scripture Readers, Dan Gustafson, Kathryn Everett; Altar Guild, Barbara Moreland; Greeter, Beth Snyder; Communion Steward, Jane Gregg; Audio-Visual Operator, Hazel

Announcements

School Supply Drive

We will be collecting school supplies for Lowell Elementary, part of the Seattle Public School system. Place them on the table in the Narthex next to the nametags. All typical school supplies are welcomed, a few specific requests include: glue sticks, construction paper, watercolors, and baby wipes.

Rally Sunday & All-Church Picnic

Rally Sunday, on September 20, is the kickoff of our ministry year — worship with us at 10:30 AM, which will include a blessing of the back-to-school supplies collected for Lowell Elementary School, and then join us at the all-church potluck picnic afterward in Fellowship Hall.

Prayer Shawl Group | Today after Worship in Room 301

Come join us as we knit, crochet and pray together. Bring your current project.

Newcomer’s Gathering | Sunday, September 13th after Worship in Room 301

We’re offering two new member classes this fall: Sunday, September 13, and Sunday, October 11. If you’ve been worshipping with us and want to learn more about First Church, our beliefs, or what membership means, we’d love to have you join one of these classes.

Upcoming Classes & Events

  • Sun Sept 6: Prayer Shawl Group | Room 301 after Worship
  • Thu Sept 10: Men’s Breakfast Group | Aurora IHOP at 9 AM
  • Sun Sept 13: Newcomer’s Gathering | Room 301 after Worship
  • Sun Sept 20: Rally Sunday and All-Church Picnic!
  • Thu Sept 24: First Church Book club | Zoom at 7 PM
  • Fri Sept 25: Caregivers Support Group | Zoom at 4 PM
  • Sat Sept 26: UMCOR ERT Training | Des Moines UMC at 8:30 AM
  • Sun Sept 27: Blessing of the Animals Sunday