# St. John's United Church of Christ — August 9, 2026
**Blessing of the Animals — Sabbath Jubilee**
*Please stand in body or in spirit (\*)*
## Liturgical Context
### Christian Liturgical Calendar
- **Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost** (Proper 14 / Ordinary 19), Year A
- Liturgical color: **Green** (Season after Pentecost)
- Congregational observances: **Blessing of the Animals** and **Sabbath Jubilee** — a summer creation-and-jubilee emphasis rather than a fixed-calendar feast
- August 6 (the preceding Thursday) was the Feast of the Transfiguration
- August 9 is the commemoration of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein, 1891–1942), philosopher, Carmelite, and martyr at Auschwitz — observed in Catholic and some Lutheran/Anglican calendars
### Jewish Calendar
- **26 Av 5786** (Shabbat ended the evening before)
- The Shabbat just past (August 8) was **Parashat Re'eh** (Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17) — the very portion that contains today's Deuteronomy 15 reading on the sabbatical-year remission of debts. The congregation reads this text the morning after synagogues around the world read it in course.
- No major holidays this week; **Rosh Chodesh Elul** begins the evening of Thursday, August 13, opening the month of repentance and preparation before the High Holy Days
### Ecumenical & Global Observances
- **International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples** (United Nations, August 9)
- **Nagasaki Day** — 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki (August 9, 1945)
### Lectionary Readings (Revised Common Lectionary)
Today's service does not follow the RCL or the Narrative Lectionary (NL Year 4 concluded at Pentecost; the NL 2026–27 fall cycle resumes in September). For reference, RCL Year A, Proper 14:
- Semi-continuous: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
- Complementary: 1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 85:8-13
- Epistle: Romans 10:5-15
- Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33
### Connection to Today's Message
The pairing of texts builds a **jubilee theology**: Deuteronomy 15 commands the seventh-year *shemitah* — remission of debts and an open hand to the poor — while Luke 15:11-32 (the prodigal son) narrates what debt-release looks like as grace: a son's squandered inheritance absorbed, not collected, and restoration celebrated. The Lord's Prayer prayed today in its "debts" form makes the connection liturgically explicit. The Blessing of the Animals frame widens jubilee to all creation: sabbath rest and release are for the land and its creatures, not humans only (compare Leviticus 25:1-7). Note also the providential alignment with Parashat Re'eh the day before.
## Order of Worship
### Gathering
#### Gathering Song: "This is the Day"
Traditional chorus drawn from [[Psalm 118#24]].
#### Unison Welcome
> "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here"
#### Announcements
#### Passing of the Peace
> "The peace of Christ be with you" — "And also with you"
#### Chiming of the Trinity
#### Centering Song: "Come Join the Circle"
Words and music by Gordon Webber, © 1988 Gordon Webber (Willowdale, Ontario).
> [!note] Copyrighted — paraphrase only
> A three-verse round-the-circle song in 3/4: the first verse invites all to join hands in the circle as partners with God in creation, a great celebration in which all are included; the second turns neighbors toward one another in welcome, each person bearing a gift or talent worth sharing as part of their calling to service; the third opens the circle outward to those who call to us from past and future, challenging us with their cry for justice as part of the global community. The refrain invites us to look around at the faces present, naming the circle as one of visions and dreams of people from all times and places.
#### Call to Worship
Written by Tricia Ziegler.
Come take off your shoes
**For where we stand is holy ground.**
Come love your neighbor and do good to all around you
**For where we stand is holy ground.**
Come and respect the planet
**For where we stand is holy ground.**
**Love all that God gave us, for we are all standing on holy ground.**
#### \*Hymn No. 17: "This Is My Father's World"
WORDS: Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901 (Psalm 24:1) · MUSIC: Franklin L. Sheppard, 1915 · TUNE: TERRA PATRIS (SMD) · Public domain
1. This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears,
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
2. This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white
declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
in rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
3. This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world,
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King! Let heaven ring!
God reigns! Let earth be glad!
#### \*Prayer of the Day
Adapted from Liturgy of Creation.
In the beginning God created all things,
**and God saw that they were good.**
At our beginning, God created us
**unique and irreplaceable, loved and wanted by God,**
**known and treasured by God even before He created us.**
In all our new beginnings, God creates something new
**so we will seek God in the freshness of this morning, in the laughter of friends, in the colors of creation, and in this beautiful place.**
Lord God, King of Creation,
**open our eyes to see your presence, our souls to sense your presence, and our hearts to love your presence, even here in your creation, and ever beyond it in eternity.**
### Word
#### Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32
The parable of the prodigal son. Full embeds below in [[#Scripture and Sermon]].
#### Children's Message — Roxanne Davenport
*Children's Corner will be offered following the Children's Message*
#### Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 15:1-2, 7-11
The sabbatical year: remission of debts and the open hand. Full embeds below in [[#Scripture and Sermon]].
#### Meditation — Rev. Caroline E. Saxton
### Response
#### Affirmation of Faith: Creator God
Written by Lisa Frenz.
We believe in one God, who is Creator, maker of all we see and all we don't see; Who is Ruler of the universe: Source of all creation!
We believe in one God, who is Jesus Christ, God from God, Light from Light, true God and true human. He is one with the Creator, the Word made flesh, our Messiah: Savior of all creation!
We believe in one God, who is Holy Spirit, Breath of God moving among us. Who is one with the Creator; one with the Christ; our Comforter and our Guide: Mentor of all creation!
> [!note] Creed study connection
> A contemporary trinitarian affirmation shaped by Nicene cadences ("God from God, Light from Light, true God and true human") with each article resolved toward creation ("Source / Savior / Mentor of all creation"). Worth logging in the creed study as a living example of the UCC "testimony, not test" posture.
#### Blessing of the Animals
#### Sharing of Joys and Concerns
*Recorded for personal prayer use.*
#### Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (Debts)
Note the "debts" form alongside today's Deuteronomy 15 debt-remission text.
#### Invitation to Giving
#### Offering Song
#### \*Offertory Response No. 706: "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"
WORDS: Thomas Ken, 1674 · TUNE: OLD HUNDREDTH · Public domain
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him, all creatures here below;
praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
#### \*Prayer of Dedication
From *Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship*, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi.
Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world. Amen.
### Sending
#### \*Closing Hymn: "O God, Your Creatures Fill the Earth"
Text © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved; permission granted for reproduction and use in the worship service. TUNE: FOREST GREEN (8.6.8.6 D; "I Sing the Mighty Power of God"). Gillette's 300+ hymns: carolynshymns.com.
> [!note] Copyrighted — paraphrase only
> Four stanzas of creation-care praise. The first delights in the worth and beauty of every living thing in God's sight — dolphins, sheep, songbirds offering their morning praise. The second gives thanks for household pets as wondrous blessings whose paws, whiskers, wings, and fins offer praise, and prays for kindness, love, and grace toward all pets. The third turns to farm animals, asking that they grow healthy, safe from harm and from human greed, invoking the shepherd's knowledge of the sheep's joy and pain and praying that all farms be humane. The fourth reframes "dominion" as tender, constant care for creatures in every land, sky, and sea, so that loving what God holds dear becomes itself an offering of praise.
#### \*Commission and Benediction
Adapted from the Third Space blog.
May we always walk gently upon the Earth, in right relationship, nurtured by your love, open to the wind of the Spirit, taking only what we need, always open to the needs of others, making choices that bring wellbeing, living with generosity, striving for justice, honoring all with reverence, reconciling and peacemaking, mindful of those who will come after, recognizing our proper place as part of your creation.
**Give us strength and courage, God, for such a radical transformation into your Kin(g)dom. Amen.**
#### Sending Music — Neath Ham
## Scripture and Sermon
### Scripture Reading
Luke 15:11-32
![[Luke 15#11]]
![[Luke 15#12]]
![[Luke 15#13]]
![[Luke 15#14]]
![[Luke 15#15]]
![[Luke 15#16]]
![[Luke 15#17]]
![[Luke 15#18]]
![[Luke 15#19]]
![[Luke 15#20]]
![[Luke 15#21]]
![[Luke 15#22]]
![[Luke 15#23]]
![[Luke 15#24]]
![[Luke 15#25]]
![[Luke 15#26]]
![[Luke 15#27]]
![[Luke 15#28]]
![[Luke 15#29]]
![[Luke 15#30]]
![[Luke 15#31]]
![[Luke 15#32]]
### Additional Scripture
Deuteronomy 15:1-2, 7-11
![[Deuteronomy 15#1]]
![[Deuteronomy 15#2]]
![[Deuteronomy 15#7]]
![[Deuteronomy 15#8]]
![[Deuteronomy 15#9]]
![[Deuteronomy 15#10]]
![[Deuteronomy 15#11]]
### Sermon
Meditation by Rev. Caroline E. Saxton
#### Sermon Notes
##### Introduction
##### Main Points
###### Point 1:
###### Point 2:
###### Point 3:
##### Illustrations/Stories
##### Scripture Connections
##### Key Quotes
#### Personal Reflections
##### What spoke to me:
##### Questions raised:
##### Challenges/Convictions:
##### Liturgical Context Reflections:
*Sabbath Jubilee against 26 Av / Parashat Re'eh; jubilee for creation on Indigenous Peoples Day and Nagasaki Day.*
#### Applications
##### This week I will:
##### People to pray for:
##### Follow-up study:
- Deuteronomy 15 within Parashat Re'eh; compare Leviticus 25 (sabbath/jubilee for land and creatures)
- Luke 15 as debt-release narrative; the Lord's Prayer "debts" tradition (Matthew 6:12)
#### Connections
- [[Ecclesiastes 3]] — tonight's 8:00 pm Bible study (Chapter 3) sits inside the same sabbath-time theme: a season for everything
- Creed study: Frenz "Creator God" affirmation as contemporary trinitarian testimony
## Worship Leadership
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Pastor | Rev. Caroline E. Saxton |
| Pianist | Barbara Motichka |
| Choir Director | Gary Crum |
| Deacon in Charge | Cathy Kinton |
| Lector | Diana Kongkeattikul |
| Children's Corner | Roxanne Davenport |
**Bulletin cover:** "Beauty of Creation" from the Lewis and Clark Window at the Washington National Cathedral, by Rowan and Irene LeCompte, photographed by Caroline Lena Becker. *Art in the Christian Tradition*, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
**Worship Resources:**
- Call to Worship written by Tricia Ziegler
- Prayer of the Day adapted from Liturgy of Creation
- Affirmation of Faith written by Lisa Frenz
- Prayer of Dedication from *Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship*, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi
- "O God, Your Creatures Fill the Earth" © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, used by permission
- Closing Commission posted on the Third Space blog (adapted)
## Church News & Announcements
**Staff contacts:**
- The Rev. Caroline E. Saxton,
[email protected], (641) 260-1868 (cell)
- Tonya Schwartz, Office Administrator,
[email protected], (717) 263-8593 (office)
- Gary Crum, Music Director | Barbara Motichka, Organist
- Roxanne Davenport, Director of Children & Youth
- The Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman, Pastor Emeritus
**Birthdays this week:** 08/10 Carol Foltz; 08/11 Kevin Chapman; 08/12 Emily Hoger; 08/13 Joel Mundey; 08/14 Rodney Rotz; 08/15 Kirk Zeger
**Floor Cleaning — Church Building CLOSED:** The building will be inaccessible August 12–14 for professional cleaning and waxing of hallways, nursery school classrooms, and Fellowship Hall. Call or email the church office or Pastor Caroline with any needs; please do not enter the building.
**Summer Special Music:** Sign-up posted on the choir room door for singing or instrumental special music this summer. Contact Gary Crum.
**Share The Harvest:** Donations of homegrown produce may be brought to the Welcome Center in the front lobby.
**Sweet Treats — Ice Cream Social:** Sunday, August 16 after worship. Sign up at the Welcome Center to bring homemade ice cream or baked goods.
**Bible and a Beer:** Faith conversation in public, 3rd Monday of the month at the Trojan Diner, 6:30 pm. Next gathering August 17.
**Camp Breakfast and Summer Prayer Gatherings:** Final summer prayer gathering at St. John's Camp, Saturday, August 22, 9:30 am. Sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center.
**Youth Pickle Ball Clinic:** Sunday, August 23. Lunch in Fellowship Hall 11:30 am; clinic 12–1:30 pm. RSVP to Roxanne Davenport (
[email protected]) or Diana Kongkeattikul (
[email protected]).
**Gratitude Sunday:** Sunday, August 30 — a celebration of "This is Us." Share photos in advance or bring them. Pancake breakfast 8:45 in Fellowship Hall; worship follows at 10 am.
**Monday Afternoon Book Study:** Chapter 1 of Barbara Brown Taylor, *Learning to Walk in the Dark* — Monday, August 10, 1:30 pm, Conference Room 111.
**Franklin Together — Franklin County Reentry Coalition:** Collecting essential household, cleaning, and hygiene items for people securing safe housing and reconnecting with loved ones. Donation box at the Welcome Center; monetary gifts at http://franklintogether.org/donate.
**Fall Quarter First Fruits** (August, September, October) supports Franklin Together-Franklin County Reentry Coalition, Homeless Matters of Franklin County, and the Fayetteville Fire Department.
**Sunday Night Bible Study:** Ecclesiastes Chapter 4, Sunday, August 16, 8 pm via Zoom. Meeting ID 836 0593 5961, Passcode 277938; hyperlink in the weekly e-blast.
**July/August Upper Room** devotionals available at the Welcome Center. Suggested donation $1 small print / $2 large print; contact the office for mailed copies.
**Want to Stay in Touch?** Contact the Church Office to join the email list, receive Diana's Devotionals, and/or join the Prayer Chain.
## Vision & Mission
**St. John's Vision:** We are called to love, to learn, to worship and to witness in Christ as a congregation that welcomes everyone, and seeks service that will advance God's realm on earth.
**St. John's Mission:** To grow in love of God and neighbor
## Calendar & Upcoming Events
**Today (Sunday, August 9):**
- 8:00 pm — Bible Study on the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, Zoom (link in Friday e-blast)
**Monday, August 10:**
- 1:30 pm — Book Study (*Learning to Walk in the Dark*, Chapter 1), Conference Room 111
**Tuesday, August 11:**
- 10:00 am — Camp Summer Wrap-up Meeting, Conference Room 111
- 5:30 pm — Yoga, Room 202
**Wednesday, August 12:** Church closed for floor cleaning
- 11:30 am — Ladies Luncheon, Hoss's Steakhouse
**Thursday, August 13:** Church closed for floor cleaning
**Friday, August 14:** Church closed for floor cleaning
**Sunday, August 16:**
- 8:45 am — K-12 Faith and Fellowship, Youth Room 206
- 8:45 am — Wired Word Church School Class, Room 116
- 8:45 am — Upper Room Church School Class, Conference Room 111
- 10:00 am — Sunday Worship, Sanctuary
- 11:15 am — Ice Cream Social After Worship, Fellowship Hall
- 8:00 pm — Bible Study on the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 4, Zoom (link in Friday e-blast)