TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 21, 2025 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Chorale Prelude on Praise to the Lord
Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748)
Welcome
Rev. Amanda Osenga
Associate Pastor
*Call to Worship
Leader: Come, let us gather in the presence of God;
All: Our hearts awaken to God’s love.
Leader: Come, let us remember God’s faithfulness;
All: Our lives are filled with God’s hope.
*Gathering Hymn 409 God Is Here!, verse 3 (Abbot’s Leigh)
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
God of love and justice, you weep over those
who wander from you, turn aside to other gods,
and enter into chaos and self-harm.
By your tears and through your mercy, you reveal
the depth of love you have for all people.
Teach us your ways and write them on our hearts
so that we may follow faithfully the path you show us.
Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria (Sung two times)
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
35 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty (Lobe Den Herren)
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 the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Sacrament of Holy Baptism (11:00am)
*The Baptismal Creed (Unison)
In life and in death we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,
whom alone we worship and serve.
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God.
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father.
We trust in the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.
With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death
can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Excerpted from A Brief Statement of Faith.)
The Presentation
Pastor: This candle represents the new life in Christ. It is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. May all who have received this sacrament walk as children of the light and may God keep the flame of faith alive in them forever.
People: With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you into Christ’s church, to share with us this ministry, for we are all one in Christ. Amen.
Anthem
Four Preludes, Moderato (8:30am)
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
For the Beauty of the Earth (11:00am)
Mark Schweizer (1956-2019)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
O God, open our hearts by the power
of your Holy Spirit
so that the words of Scripture may
become your Living Word.
Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Jeremiah 8:19-9:1 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 668)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
What Have We Become?
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Co-Pastor
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Sicilienne, Op. 78 (8:30am)
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Lass Dich Nur Nichts Nicht Dauren (Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee) (11:00am)
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Commissioning of Confirmands (11:00am)
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
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.
Prayers of the People and 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.
*Closing Hymn
792 There Is a Balm in Gilead (Balm in Gilead)
This morning’s singing of “There Is a Balm in Gilead” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. All are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”), at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
When Rooks Fly Homeward
Arthur Baynon (1889-1954)
Postlude
Carillon
Leon Boëllmann (1862-1897)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: SAFETY & SECURITY COMMITTEE
Interested in becoming more involved at Montview? The Safety & Security Committee is recruiting volunteers for our Sunday Response Teams. Working alongside professionals, you’ll receive training to recognize and respond to situations that may arise – helping to ensure a safe and welcoming worship experience for all. Stop by the Commons to learn more!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
What Does Happiness Mean for People of Faith?
September 21 and 28 | 9:30am (Miller Chapel)
Today, September 21: “Happiness is an Inside Job”
Leah Pearlman will explore how a sense of distance from our wholeness is actually the source of internal suffering. Happiness isn’t a becoming: it’s a remembering. Leah has worked for Facebook, where she most famously helped create the “Like” button, and is the co-founder of the Welcoming Way.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Rev. Amanda Osenga and Sandy Prouty
Piano/ Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Barbara Hulac
Trombone: Bron Wright (8:30am)
Reader: Kate Williams (8:30am)
Reader: Douglas Easton (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Sears Barrett (husband of Colleen Barrett); Jolene Cranston; Mary Gerwin (mourning the death of her mother, Marie Gerwin); Nancy Getzinger and family (mourning the death of Nancy’s brother, Dick Getzinger); Janine Haugen and family (mourning the death of Janine’s father, Alan Espelien); Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Lynn Merwin and family (mourning the death of Lynn’s mother, Ethel Merwin); Eden Murphy; Margaret Pearce (friend of Peggy Gonder); Jim Polsfut; Damara Rice (great niece of The Rev. JeanAnne Swope); Franklin Thompson (brother of Dolores Collins); Kathryn Walton (daughter of MaryGrace Wake); Mary Weinzirl (friend of Sharon Craft)
Memorial Services
David Hutchison | September 26 at 1:00pm in the Sanctuary
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: caring@montview.org 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 Kate Williams in celebration of health.
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am- 12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:30am
What Does Happiness Mean for People of Faith?
“Happiness is an Inside Job”
Leah Pearlman
Location: Miller Chapel
Book Study: The Anxious Generation
Location: Miller Chapel
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Confirmation
Location: Confirmation Room
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Second Floor
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
6:00pm
MOB Seniors
Location: Cellar
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 the 11:00am worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org