14th Sunday after Pentecost
August 30, 2026
Loving God and loving neighbor here in central Vermont
and to the ends of the earth—all to the glory of God.
We Welcome Our Visitors to Red Door Church!
Prelude
Rebekah Barnes
Welcome and Announcements
σ Listen for upcoming events and ways you can get involved.Pastor Josh
Call to Worship—Based on Psalm 26
σ Confess what you believe about the Christian faith.
Pastor Josh
L: God calls us to worship and we respond.
C: O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
L: Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.
C: But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
Opening Prayer
σ Invite God to work in you as you worship today.
Pastor Josh
Worship Songs
σ Join with the congregation in praise to God.Rebekah Barnes, Pastor Josh and Megan Moore
#143—Lift High the Cross
Chorus
Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore His sacred name
Verse 1
Come brethren follow where our Savior trod,
Our King victorious, Christ, the Son of God
Verse 2
Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conqu’ring ranks combine.
Verse 3
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious Tree
As Thou hast promised, draw men unto Thee
Verse 4
Set up Thy throne, that earth’s despair may cease,
Beneath the shadow of its healing peace.
Verse 5
For Thy blest Cross which doth for all atone,
Creation’s praises rise before Thy throne
All My Boast Is In Jesus
Verse 1
What wonder of wonders what love is this
That Christ would die for me
His goodness His merit His righteousness
This sinner’s only plea
O foolish pride be crucified
The work is finished
Chorus 1
All my boast is in Jesus
All my hope is His love
And I will glory forever
In what the cross has done
Verse 2
Now fully forgiven my life is filled
With graces undeserved
For mercy that flowed down that sacred hill
Let praises now return
Rise up my soul and bless the Lord
Who else is worthy
Bridge 1
O praise the One forever blessed
Him alone my heart adores
And I will boast in nothing less
Than the love of Christ my Lord
Verse 3
I boast not in riches in strength or might
But in the grace of God
I glory in weakness to live is Christ
In plenty or in want
That I may know that all may see
His pow’r within me
Chorus 2
Now I stand in His freedom
Ransomed clean in His sight
And I cannot be ashamed for
My boast is Jesus Christ
My boast is Jesus Christ
Forever my boast is Jesus Christ
Scripture Meditation—Jeremiah 15:15-21
σ Hear a reading from the Scriptures that relates to the sermon text.
Judy Stabolepszy
O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? 19 Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
Congregational Prayer
σ Join together in prayer and lift your concerns to our gracious God.
Pastor Josh
The Lord’s Prayer
σ In closing, pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray.
Congregation
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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading—Matthew 16:21-28
σ Read this portion of God’s word.
Pastor Josh
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
L: The grass withers and the flower fades.
C: But the word of our God will stand forever.
Sermon
σ Hear God’s word proclaimed and explained.
Pastor Josh Moore
Song of Response—Jesus Thank You
σ Respond to the preaching of the word with song.Rebekah Barnes, Pastor Josh and Megan Moore
Verse 1
The myst’ry of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Chorus
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus thank You
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table
Jesus thank You
Verse 2
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Bridge
Lover of my soul I want to live for You
Benediction
σ Receive a parting blessing as you go into the world for Christ.
Pastor Josh
Postlude
House