https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kPuVhNVCRQ1ODprYb0e7uN0kzgraROzG/view
Above is the internet link to our recording of Sunday’s worship service, led by Pastor Bill Watson.
Copy the link and place it into your browser so you can view the recording.
This coming Sunday, 8/24/25, our service will be led by Pastor CJ King.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-17-25
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. August 17, 2025
Join Zoom Meeting
*Password: 099540
*You may need to enter this to join. Write it down; so, you have it when/if your computer/phone asks you to enter it. It may keep you out of the “waiting room.”
Meeting ID: 235 223 715
It helps to download the FREE Zoom app ahead of time.
Please mute your computer or phone microphone! Make sure there is a red slash through the microphone icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
This will make the service more enjoyable for all.
**In the sanctuary, masks and a safe social distance are suggested, especially when singing or responding in prayer!!!
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-17-25 – Season of Pentecost
Prelude (Ken Olsson, Music Minister)
(After entering Zoom or the Sanctuary, please use mute or observe silence to allow all to prepare for worship. Thank you & Blessings)
Faith of Our Fathers (Matt Schinske)
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Mark Hayes)
Arabesque No. 1 (Claude Debussy)
Be Thou My Vision (Molly Ijames)
O God, Our Help in Ages Past (Lloyd Larson)
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #67 “O God Our Help in Ages Past” ©
1 O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
2 Under the shadow of thy throne still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages, in thy sight, are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.
6 O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
God of justice, your word is light and truth. Let your Spirit accompany us to restore us, that we may walk in your way, seeking justice and serving those in need. Amen!
* Response Hymn #67 Verse 6
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.
Scripture:
Isaiah 1: 1 & 11-17
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls or of lambs or of goats.
When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more!
Bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and calling of convocation-- I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.
Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will
not listen; your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil;
learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.
Luke 12: 32-37
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit;
be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those [servants] whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.
*Hymn #635 “Faith of Our Fathers”
1 Faith of our fathers, living still in spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
oh, how our hearts beat high with joy whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith, we will be true to thee till death.
2 The martyrs bound in prison chains, were still in heart and conscience free,
and bless'd would be their children's fate, if they, like them, should live for thee!
Faith of the martyrs, holy faith, we will be true to thee till death.
3 Faith of our mothers, we will love both friend and foe in all our strife,
and preach thee, too, as love knows how, by saving word and faithful life!
Faith of our mothers, holy faith, we will be true to thee till death.
Reflection: “ Whose Kingdom? ” Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis: In scripture this Sunday, Isaiah prophesies God’s rejection of the Judean Kingdom for the elite’s injustice toward the least fortunate among them, while Jesus offers God’s kingdom to those who have given away everything. The question is: Is it an actual kingdom that we are really seeking as followers of Christ
*Hymn #595 “Be Thou My Vision"
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my redeemer, my love thou hast won, thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
3 Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou and thou only, first in my heart, Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
4 Great God of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function. You will not run afoul of Martin Luther’s edicts on indulgences.)
Offertory: (Music Minster Ken Olsson)
Peaceful Piano #20 (Mark Hayes)
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The Lord's Prayer
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, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: (Music Minister Ken Olsson)
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Faye López)
Please greet your neighbors on Zoom or at a “Safe Social Distance” in the sanctuary, as the postlude ends. On Zoom unmute your mikes, share greetings and the peace of this virtual space.
Masks are optional but suggested in the sanctuary!
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Arthur Park *Pastor Harold Noyes *Sylven Lang *Norm Robertson *Robert Johnson (Ken Olsson’s father-in-law) *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Joyce Olsson (Ken’s mom) *Cecile Fisher Smith *Dennis Scharback *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Paul Nolan (Steve Nolan’s cousin) *Christine Tattersall *Gayle Arbuckle *JoAnn Supple (Sherry Brown’s mother) *Jeremiah Olmas (Mary Feder’s friend’s grandson) *Jessica Tragellis (Dear Nolan Friend) *Karen Knight *Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Henry Feder *Sophie Field * Robert Waldron (Sherry Brown’s nephew) *Louise Feder *Irene Rice
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Bill Brown *Family & friends of Luann Ward *Family & friends of Helene Delaney (Steven Humes’ mother-in-law) *Family & friends of Ron Metzger (Pastor Watson’s cousin) *Family & friends of Simon Kimber (Christine Tattersall’s brother-in-law) *Family & friends of Peggy O’Keefe Lafave *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Jerry Goldlust (Christine Tattersall’s close friend) *Family & friends of Bob Wright *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Donald F.M. Bolton *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Clint Lee *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
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