TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME
September 6, 2026 | 10:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether
arr. Craig Phillips (b. 1961)
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Alex Wimberly, Co-Pastor
*Call to Worship (from Psalm 105)
Leader: Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
People: Seek the strength of the Lord.
Seek God’s presence continually.
Leader: Remember the wonderful works God has done:
the miracles, the judgments God has uttered.
People: O offspring of Abraham and Sarah,
O children of Jacob and Leah: praise the Lord!
*Opening Hymn
667 When Morning Gilds the Skies (Laudes Domini)
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
God of ages past and days ahead,
too often we run from our responsibility,
and turn away from the brokenness of our world.
You alone are constant in the work of justice,
the steady source of our transformation.
Forgive us for seeking you in places
that demand less of us.
And free us to take on the liberating work
that remains at the core of our being.
Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response To Thee, Great One in Three
*Passing of the Peace
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that this service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
God Be In My Head
Arlen Clarke (b. 1954)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Prepare our hearts and minds, O God,
to receive your Word.
Silence any voice but your own,
so that in hearing we may do your will.
Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Exodus 12: 1-7, 13-15 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 54)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Beginning Again
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
arr. Paul Manz (1919-2009)
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Co-Pastor
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate. If you’d like to receive communion in your pew, please signal to a server when they come down the aisle at the conclusion of communion.
Communion Music
Consider
Roland Martin (b. 1955)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
308 O God in Whom All Life Begins (Noel)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
arr. David Cherwien (b. 1957)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: CENTER FOR HEALTH & HOPE
The Center for Health and Hope is Denver-based with a focus of supporting those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Programs of nutrition, prevention, care, and treatment include the Gift of HOPE program, supporting 330 children orphaned by AIDS (Meru, Kenya), and supported in part by Montview’s Mission Life committee. Visit our table in the Commons to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebration Sunday – Back to Fall!
Next Sunday, September 13
8:30am
Worship
9:30am
Sunday School for All Ages
Co-Pastors’ Forum
11:00am
Worship
12:00pm
Celebration on the Outdoor Plaza
Join us on Sunday, September 13, as we begin the new programming year. We’ll have live music, food, festivities
and fun. Come celebrate this return to fall with us!
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Alex Wimberly and Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
Organist: Emerita Barbara Hulac
Reader: Kristin Weber
Digital Host: Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Sound/Video: John Goerner
Livestream: Christine Hofstad
Choir: Montview Ghost Ranch Chorale
Thank you to the Communion Preparation Team!
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
9:30am-11:30am
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
10:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
11:00am
Fellowship Time with Refreshments
Location: South Plaza
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Alex Adgate; Christina Chavez; Jolene Cranston; Janet Crawford; Sue Dixon and family (mourning the death of Sue’s mother, Rita Beatty); Bill and Debbie Dobrenen; Ann Epps (mourning the loss of her sister, Janet); Barbara Furutani; Rev. Emory Gillespie; Patti Herlihy (family of Bob Cloud and Mary Medley); The Hickman family (mourning the death of Joe Hickman); Nancy Keesee (mother of Kelly Keesee); Sam Mateo; Charlotte Medley (sister of Mary Medley); Linda West
Deaths
September 3 | Joe Hickman
Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or condition. Contact: [email protected] or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
Flower Dedication
The flowers in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by Dan Bowles and Kelly McMullen in celebration of Michael and Karen McMullen’s 60th Wedding Anniversary.
FLOODS IN NEPAL | DONATE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
Our hearts break for the tens of thousands of people who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in Nepal. Montview’s relationships in Nepal extend for decades. A key colleague, the Nepal Youth Foundation, is on the ground and helping children, youth and families. You can donate at their website or by making a donation directly to Montview (Nepal Flood 2026).
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from Youth Cellar.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
Join Us Online Each Sunday
Participate from wherever you are with our 10am livestream, live chat, Online Friendship Register, and Virtual Fellowship Time.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org