September 13, 2026
Liturgy
September Mission - Care & Share
Our September mission is Care & Share. The year ahead brings new challenges for Care and Share. Reductions in federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), changes to how food from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is acquired and reimbursed, and the elimination of Local Food Purchasing Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) funding are all contributing to a difficult and shifting landscape.
These changes mean fewer resources and less food when more neighbors than ever are turning to Care and Share for help. Care and Share’s network – and the charitable food system nationwide – must now do more with less to meet the growing need.
Just $2 provides 5 meals to neighbors in need across Southern Colorado. Last year 22 million pounds of food were distributed across 29 counties with 284,562 people receiving the food they so desperately needed. 12,598 children took nutritious food home through Care and Share’s Children’s programs.
The support of the Southern Colorado Community is a powerful thing, making it possible to take on the months ahead. Care and Share received a Best Workplace 2025 Award from the Gazette. Charity Navigator listed it as a 4-star charity. Volunteers are needed!
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;…and the Lord will reward you.” Pr 25:21-22
Thank you from your Mission Team
Our September mission is Care & Share. The year ahead brings new challenges for Care and Share. Reductions in federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), changes to how food from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is acquired and reimbursed, and the elimination of Local Food Purchasing Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) funding are all contributing to a difficult and shifting landscape.
These changes mean fewer resources and less food when more neighbors than ever are turning to Care and Share for help. Care and Share’s network – and the charitable food system nationwide – must now do more with less to meet the growing need.
Just $2 provides 5 meals to neighbors in need across Southern Colorado. Last year 22 million pounds of food were distributed across 29 counties with 284,562 people receiving the food they so desperately needed. 12,598 children took nutritious food home through Care and Share’s Children’s programs.
The support of the Southern Colorado Community is a powerful thing, making it possible to take on the months ahead. Care and Share received a Best Workplace 2025 Award from the Gazette. Charity Navigator listed it as a 4-star charity. Volunteers are needed!
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;…and the Lord will reward you.” Pr 25:21-22
Thank you from your Mission Team
On Sunday, Sept. 20th, we will begin a 6-week Sunday School study of the Lord's Prayer. We will be using the study book "Pray Like Jesus" by Don Underwood. It is remarkably simple and brief. Most Christians already know it by heart and can easily recite it. In fact, that might be part of the problem: it is so well known that most of us never think about the words as we rattle them off. But the Lord's Prayer is both an insightful theological statement and, if recited daily, a powerful tool for developing a rich devotional life." The participant's book is available on Amazon. Please plan on bringing something for journaling. By that time, school supplies will be on sale so you can purchase a Composition Book or small notepad.
Grocery Cards
It’s always a great time to purchase grocery cards from the church. They can be used at all Safeway and KingSoopers stores, in addition to using them for your own grocery shopping. They are as simple to use as a credit or debit card. You can purchase grocery cards for $25, $50, or $100. The cards never expire, and you can use them multiple times until the entire balance on the card has been spent. Best of all, the church makes 5% of the face value of each card sold.
Welcome Home Rally Day
No matter how long it has been, you always have a home here. Come home to St. Paul’s this Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 9:30 am. Invite friends and neighbors as we kick off our new worship series on Prayer.
Welcome Home Potluck – We will welcome everyone back from Summer Activities with a special potluck on Sept. 13th. Our main dish will be Mexican Fiesta... the church will provide the base ingredients (Fritos, rice, chili).
Please bring a side dish or dessert. Let's come together for food, fun and fellowship!
No matter how long it has been, you always have a home here. Come home to St. Paul’s this Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 9:30 am. Invite friends and neighbors as we kick off our new worship series on Prayer.
Welcome Home Potluck – We will welcome everyone back from Summer Activities with a special potluck on Sept. 13th. Our main dish will be Mexican Fiesta... the church will provide the base ingredients (Fritos, rice, chili).
Please bring a side dish or dessert. Let's come together for food, fun and fellowship!
Start saving your change! We will have the children and youth trick-or-treating through the pews on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to collect change for UNICEF.
UNICEF is Always There for Children in Crisis
UNICEF is on the ground across the globe, delivering help for the children who need it most. Other organizations help children, but UNICEF does more by fighting for children’s rights and delivering the essentials every child needs for an equitable chance in life. UNICEF has helped save and meaningfully improve more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization. UNICEF won’t stop until every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected.
UNICEF is Always There for Children in Crisis
UNICEF is on the ground across the globe, delivering help for the children who need it most. Other organizations help children, but UNICEF does more by fighting for children’s rights and delivering the essentials every child needs for an equitable chance in life. UNICEF has helped save and meaningfully improve more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization. UNICEF won’t stop until every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected.
Trunk or Treat & Pumpkin Carving
On October 25th, we will have our Trunk or Treat & Pumpkin Carving starting at 5:00 pm. There will be hot dogs, candy, pumpkins, kids in costume, and decorated trunks. We are looking for volunteers and individually wrapped candies. There will be a box in the Narthex for the candy, and there will be sign-up sheets for people who would like to bring a trunk to decorate.
On October 25th, we will have our Trunk or Treat & Pumpkin Carving starting at 5:00 pm. There will be hot dogs, candy, pumpkins, kids in costume, and decorated trunks. We are looking for volunteers and individually wrapped candies. There will be a box in the Narthex for the candy, and there will be sign-up sheets for people who would like to bring a trunk to decorate.
TESLA
A number of students attending the TESLA school across the
street from the church have some needs that you can help supply.
They need food cards, deodorant (boys and girls scents), hairbrushes, toothpaste/toothbrushes, hoodies/sweaters (all adult sizes),
and boys’ and girls’ t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts (all adult sizes).
They have also asked for help with a food drive. You can donate grocery cards or non-perishables. Any assistance you can provide will let the young people know that people care about them.
A number of students attending the TESLA school across the
street from the church have some needs that you can help supply.
They need food cards, deodorant (boys and girls scents), hairbrushes, toothpaste/toothbrushes, hoodies/sweaters (all adult sizes),
and boys’ and girls’ t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts (all adult sizes).
They have also asked for help with a food drive. You can donate grocery cards or non-perishables. Any assistance you can provide will let the young people know that people care about them.
Gathering
September 13, 2026 9:30 am Worship Service
Gathering
Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts
Welcome
Rev. David Petty
Crossing the Threshold
Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty
Threshold Song
Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
TFWS #2193
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit
in this place;
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
send us love,
send us power,
send us grace.
Call to Worship
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Leader: We arrive fully into this moment, Holy One. We open to sense your presence among us. We hear you say,
People: “Be still and know.”
Leader: We need you, Jesus, to help us. We come to you as your first disciples did. We hear you say,
People: “Be still and know.”
Leader: Spirit of Divine Love, come to us with your healing waters. We hear you say,
People: “Be still and know.”
Threshold Song
Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
TFWS #2193
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit
in this place;
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
send us love,
send us power,
send us grace.
Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty
*Hymn
Sweet Hour of Prayer
UMH #496
1. Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from
a world of care,
and bids me at
my Father’s throne
make all my wants
and wishes known.
In seasons of
distress and grief,
my soul has often
found relief,
and oft escaped
the tempter’s snare
by thy return,
sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel,
the bliss I share
of those whose anxious
spirits burn
with strong desires
for thy return!
With such I hasten
to the place
where God my Savior
shows his face,
and gladly take
my station there,
and wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my
petition bear
to him whose truth
and faithfulness
engage the waiting
soul to bless.
And since he bids me
seek his face,
believe his word,
and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him
my every care,
and wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
*Announcements/Greet Your Neighbor – Passing the Peace of Christ
Mystery Box
Gathering
Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts
Welcome
Rev. David Petty
Crossing the Threshold
Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty
Threshold Song
Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
TFWS #2193
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit
in this place;
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
send us love,
send us power,
send us grace.
Call to Worship
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Leader: We arrive fully into this moment, Holy One. We open to sense your presence among us. We hear you say,
People: “Be still and know.”
Leader: We need you, Jesus, to help us. We come to you as your first disciples did. We hear you say,
People: “Be still and know.”
Leader: Spirit of Divine Love, come to us with your healing waters. We hear you say,
People: “Be still and know.”
Threshold Song
Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
TFWS #2193
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit
in this place;
Lord, listen to your
children praying,
send us love,
send us power,
send us grace.
Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty
*Hymn
Sweet Hour of Prayer
UMH #496
1. Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from
a world of care,
and bids me at
my Father’s throne
make all my wants
and wishes known.
In seasons of
distress and grief,
my soul has often
found relief,
and oft escaped
the tempter’s snare
by thy return,
sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel,
the bliss I share
of those whose anxious
spirits burn
with strong desires
for thy return!
With such I hasten
to the place
where God my Savior
shows his face,
and gladly take
my station there,
and wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my
petition bear
to him whose truth
and faithfulness
engage the waiting
soul to bless.
And since he bids me
seek his face,
believe his word,
and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him
my every care,
and wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
*Announcements/Greet Your Neighbor – Passing the Peace of Christ
Mystery Box
Proclaiming
A Word of Inspiration
Scripture Reading
CLM Twinkle Gordon
First Reading
Philippians 4:4-7
Our first reading is from the letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4-7. The author reminds these new Christians to ground themselves in prayer, as Jesus did, especially when they feel themselves anxious about the world. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Second Reading
Matthew 7:7-8
Our second reading from Matthew 7:7-8 is one we’ve often heard as the instruction and invitation of Jesus to come to God with our requests: “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Prayer for Illumination
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Message
Be Still and Know
Rev. David Petty
Scripture Reading
CLM Twinkle Gordon
First Reading
Philippians 4:4-7
Our first reading is from the letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4-7. The author reminds these new Christians to ground themselves in prayer, as Jesus did, especially when they feel themselves anxious about the world. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Second Reading
Matthew 7:7-8
Our second reading from Matthew 7:7-8 is one we’ve often heard as the instruction and invitation of Jesus to come to God with our requests: “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Prayer for Illumination
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Message
Be Still and Know
Rev. David Petty
Prayer
Prayer Song
All My Days
You know my words before they’re said.
You know my need and I am fed.
You give me life.
You know my ways,
my strength, my path, for all my days.
my strength, my path, for all my days.
Prayers of the People
Rev. David Petty
Be Still and Know Prayer
Leader: Each week we will be focusing on various forms of prayer. In this opening service we are getting oriented to our focus on prayer, and learning to slow down and center ourselves so we can sense God is with us. I want to teach you a “Be still and know” prayer with our prayer beads:
Bead 1: Be, be, be
Bead 2: Be still, be still, be still
Bead 3: Be still and know, be still and know, be still and know
Bead 4: Be still and know that I am God.
Bead 5: I am God. I am God. I am God.
Bead 6: I am, I am, I am.
Bead 7: God, God, God
End Bead: Stillness
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
Lead us not
into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
and the Power
and the Glory forever.
Amen
Prayer Song
All My Days
You know my words before they’re said.
You know my need and I am fed.
You give me life.
You know my ways,
my strength, my path, for all my days.
my strength, my path, for all my days.
Prayers of the People
Rev. David Petty
Be Still and Know Prayer
Leader: Each week we will be focusing on various forms of prayer. In this opening service we are getting oriented to our focus on prayer, and learning to slow down and center ourselves so we can sense God is with us. I want to teach you a “Be still and know” prayer with our prayer beads:
Bead 1: Be, be, be
Bead 2: Be still, be still, be still
Bead 3: Be still and know, be still and know, be still and know
Bead 4: Be still and know that I am God.
Bead 5: I am God. I am God. I am God.
Bead 6: I am, I am, I am.
Bead 7: God, God, God
End Bead: Stillness
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
Lead us not
into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
and the Power
and the Glory forever.
Amen
Offertory
Giving Back
Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
Doxology
Praise God from Who All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
Doxology
Praise God from Who All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Sending
*Closing Hymn
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
UMH #133
WORDS: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1887 (Dt. 33:27)
1. What a fellowship,
what a joy divine,
leaning on the
everlasting arms;
what a blessedness,
what a peace is mine,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
Refrain
Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure
from all alarms;
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus.)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
2. O how sweet to walk
in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the
everlasting arms;
O how bright the path
grows from day to day,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
Refrain
Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure
from all alarms;
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
3. What have I to dread,
what have I to fear,
leaning on the
everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace
with my Lord so near,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
Refrain
Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure
from all alarms;
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty
Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
UMH #133
WORDS: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1887 (Dt. 33:27)
1. What a fellowship,
what a joy divine,
leaning on the
everlasting arms;
what a blessedness,
what a peace is mine,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
Refrain
Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure
from all alarms;
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus.)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
2. O how sweet to walk
in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the
everlasting arms;
O how bright the path
grows from day to day,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
Refrain
Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure
from all alarms;
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
3. What have I to dread,
what have I to fear,
leaning on the
everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace
with my Lord so near,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
Refrain
Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure
from all alarms;
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
lean - - - ing,
(leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the
everlasting arms.
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty
Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts
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