TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 28, 2025 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Be Still
arr. Ashley Grote (b. 1982)
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
*Call to Worship
Leader: God knows us,
All: Knows our names, knows our hearts.
Leader: God is in us still:
All: God is written deep within.
Leader: God knows us, we know God,
All: And so we come together, God’s own,
to worship and praise.
*Gathering Hymn 409 God Is Here!, verse 4 (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
761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (Beecher)
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.
Anthem
The Love of God (8:30am)
Sara Groves (b. 1972)
Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks (11:00am)
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
(Text: Psalm 42:1-3)
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 32:1–3a; 6–15 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 694)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Living in the Ampersand
Rev. Amanda Osenga, Associate Pastor
Moment for Reflection
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.
Reception of New Members (11:00am)
Unison Prayer
O God, our Creator, we praise you for calling us to be a servant people, and for gathering us into the body of Christ. We thank you for choosing to add to our number siblings in faith. Together, may we live in your Spirit, and so love one another that we may have the mind of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom we give honor and glory forever.
Musical Reflection
Orpheus (8:30am)
Sara Bareilles (b. 1979)
Welcome to God’s Love (11:00am)
Mark Miller (b. 1967)
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.
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
687 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (St. Anne)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
A Gaelic Blessing
John Rutter (b. 1945)
Postlude
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
arr. David Bednall (b. 1979)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: FALL MINISTRY FAIR
Fall Ministry Fair – Discover, Connect, Get Involved!
October 5 | 9:30am-12:30pm (McCollum Room and Heritage Center)
Montview’s Fall Ministry Fair is almost here! Come see all the ways you can grow, serve, and connect at Montview. Meet ministry leaders, ask questions, and find your next opportunity to get involved. It’s an informative, lively morning filled with conversation, community, and inspiration. Don’t miss it!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Paul Reimagined: A Progressive Lens on the Apostle
with Pam Eisenbaum, Ph.D. and Christy Cobb, Ph.D.
October 12, 19, 26 | 9:30am (Miller Chapel)
For nearly two thousand years, the apostle Paul has been read through the lens of empire, used to justify exclusion, inequality and silence women. But what if another look at Paul helps us to see a more radical Paul than the one we’ve been taught? Join us for thoughtful and challenging sessions with leading biblical scholars who are re-imagining Paul.
12 Steps for Everyone: The Spiritual Practice of the 12 Steps
Wednesdays, October 1-29 | 6:30pm (Room 205)
Come find out how the 12 steps used in AA and 34 other recovery programs can actually be used in everyday life. Anyone wanting to improve their conscious contact with God and improve their relationships to the people in their lives can use the principles of the 12 steps. Wednesday nights at 6:30pm in Room 205 of the Education Wing. Email George Moseley at Moseley1041@q.com to sign up.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Amanda Osenga
Liturgists: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal and Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Conductor/Piano: Adam Waite
Guest Organist: Benjamin Corwyn
Guitar/Vocals: Shelley Goldberg (8:30am)
Reader: Audrey Shin (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)
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 by the Hutchison family in loving memory of David Hutchison.
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?
“Living a Life That Means Something”
Rev. Peter Marty
Location: Miller Chapel
Book Study: The Anxious Generation
Location: Fellowship Hall
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 Tucson Reunion
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