Weekly Worship

Middleton United Methodist Church Liturgy

Updated for Sunday, September 13th, 2026 [Ordinary Time - Proper 19]

Prelude

Welcome/Announcements - Pastor Mary Beth

Passing the Peace - Pastor Mary Beth

One: May the peace of the Lord be with you!

Many: And also with you!

Gathering Hymn - TBD - Debbie

Call to Worship - John Mathiasen

One: People of God, open your eyes! Look around!

Many: The presence of our Lord Jesus Christ is here—among us and within us!

One: God’s salvation is close at hand—nearer than we know. So open your hearts and minds to the Spirit.

Many: Let’s worship God together!

Opening Prayer (in unison) - John Mathiasen

God our Creator, you have blessed us with your love. Help us to show that love to one another as we work for equality for all people in education, housing, public services, and employment opportunities. Give us strength and courage to speak out against injustice, and to work for the transformation of unjust systems that keep some in bondage: that we may more fully live out your kingdom here on earth; through Jesus Christ your son, who came to set us free. Amen.

Sing together - Glory be to the Father (UMH #70)

Scripture Reading - John Mathiasen

God, open our hearts and minds, that as the scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today.

God of freedom, you brought your people out of slavery with a mighty hand. Deliver us from our captivity to pride and indifference to the needs and gifts of others, that we may be ready to love as you have loved us, and to give even as we have received. And all the beloved said: Amen.

Scripture Reading - Romans 14:1-12 (NASB)

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

One: This is the story of God for the people of God.

Many: Thanks be to God!

Lectionary Hymn - TBD - Debbie

Prayers of the People - Pastor Mary Beth

God, your forgiveness transcends whatever wrong exists between us. Grant us the courage to forgive others, and to practice reconciliation by the kindness of our speaking, the sharing of our resources, and the honoring of your desire for good. 

We praise your abiding guidance, O God, for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah, to model for us the way of love for the whole universe. We offer these prayers of love on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors, on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.

Are there any requests or praises?

(The congregation is invited to speak their requests. After each request is spoken, we all respond in unison. For prayer requests, we respond, “Lord, hear our prayer.” For praises, we respond, “Lord, we lift this praise.”)

Loving God, open our ears to hear your word and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. And all the beloved said: Amen.

(A moment for silent prayers)

And now let us pray the prayer the Lord taught all the disciples to pray. Let’s be so bold as to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed by 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil;

For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.

Doxology - Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #95)

Prayer for Today’s Offering

Gracious God, as we move through this season of Ordinary Time, we bring these offerings to you. In this month of September, may our gifts bear witness to your abundance and our commitment to justice. Just as you sustain the earth, help us to use these resources to nourish our community, uphold the marginalized, and reflect your love in all we do. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior, all the beloved said: Amen.

Prayer Hymn - TBD - James

Sermon - Matthew 18:21-35 (CEB) - Pastor Mary Beth

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Should I forgive as many as seven times?”

Jesus said, “Not just seven times, but rather as many as seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle accounts, they brought to him a servant who owed him ten thousand bags of gold. Because the servant didn’t have enough to pay it back, the master ordered that he should be sold, along with his wife and children and everything he had, and that the proceeds should be used as payment. But the servant fell down, kneeled before him, and said, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ The master had compassion on that servant, released him, and forgave the loan.

“When that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred coins. He grabbed him around the throat and said, ‘Pay me back what you owe me.’

“Then his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he threw him into prison until he paid back his debt.

“When his fellow servants saw what happened, they were deeply offended. They came and told their master all that happened. His master called the first servant and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you appealed to me. Shouldn’t you also have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ His master was furious and handed him over to the guard responsible for punishing prisoners, until he had paid the whole debt.

“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you if you don’t forgive others from your heart.”

One: This is our prayer.

Many: Lord, hear our prayer.

Sermon Hymn - TBD - James

Sending:

Benediction - Pastor Mary Beth

As you step out into this changing season, may you carry the peace of God into every ordinary moment. May the Creator who tends the harvest, the Savior who walks the path beside you, and the Spirit who breathes new life into all things, bless your going out and your coming in. Go forth with confidence and joy, to love and serve the Lord in all you do. Amen.

Sending Hymn: Song of Hope (TFWS #2186) - Debbie & James

Postlude - James