You can view or download the full weekly bulletin below.
Sunday, September 14, 2025 -- 10:30am Worship Service
Welcome to Maxwell Street! We hope you will consider wearing a nametag so that we might get to know one another better. They can be found in the lobbies outside the sanctuary. You can find more helpful information inside this bulletin.
Greeting & Announcements
Prelude - From a Distance, Gold/Griffith, Jim Olive
Call to Worship
Are you here seeking mercy?
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.
Have you sinned against God and neighbor?
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Have you tried to flee from your transgressions?
I once was lost, but now am found.
Wonderful! You are in the right place. You are welcome here.
Let’s worship God together!
+ Hymn 169 - Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (or “Dear Lord, creator good and kind”)
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession - Adapted from a prayer created by EcoCongregation Scotland
Holy God, we live on a small spec of green and blue hurtling in the vast array of galaxy, yet we are each known, loved and strengthened by You. Yet we, who are stiff-necked and obtuse, think we know best: we fail to listen to the warnings, we ignore advice and fail to act. Our false gods of wealth and capitalism, of political might and self-preservation do not serve us well: we confess that sometimes we are lost and do not know how to rejoin the path of the most Holy One. Forgive us, God, that we might be drawn from our wrongful ways, and see the right in front of our eyes. May we seek the good in each other: cleanse our hearts that we see afresh and can act anew. Hear now our silent prayers of confession.
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 447 - We Are Forgiven
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
Prayer for Openness
Lord who welcomes sinners, send your Spirit to sit with us as we hear your Word proclaimed. Find us where we are lost, create in us clean hearts, and help us to see the joy of your mercy. Amen.
Scripture Reading - 1 Timothy 1.12–17, NT pg. 208
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem - Do Not I Love Thee, Dwight Gustafson (1930-2014), Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading - Luke 15, NT Pg 78
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Sermon - I Once Was Lost - Rev. Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - Inclusive Language Version of the Confession of 1967
The reconciling act of God in Jesus Christ exposes the evil in people as sin in the sight of God. In sin, people claim mastery of their own lives, turn against God and each other, and become exploiters and despoilers of the world. They lose their humanity in futile striving and are left in rebellion, despair, and isolation. God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God’s love.
+ HYMN 436 - God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us
Recognition of the Ministry of the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic
What does the Holy One require of us?
To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.
Recounting the Work of the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic
Litany of Thanksgiving
Leader: For the vision of a ministry that saw our immigrant neighbors not as strangers,
but as beloved children of God—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the countless hours of service, advocacy, and compassion offered by attorneys, staff,
and volunteers, who used their gifts to bring justice and hope—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the thousands of immigrants and families who found guidance, support, and a listening ear through this ministry—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the ways this work opened doors to safety, dignity, and opportunity,
and for the witness it gave of your kingdom of welcome—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: Though this particular chapter of ministry now comes to a close, we trust that your Spirit
continues to stir new ways forward.
People: We give you thanks, O God, and ask you to make us faithful.
Leader: Bless those whose lives were touched by this ministry, bless those who served, and bless
the seeds planted that will grow in ways yet unseen.
People: With grateful hearts, we give you thanks, O God. Amen.
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - Come, Thou Fount
• Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessing flow Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
• Prayer of Dedication
+ HYMN 649 - Amazing Grace
Charge & Benediction
Benediction Response - Hymn 539, We Will Go Out with Joy
Postlude - Festival Flourishes, Ovid Young (1940-2014)
+ Indicates that the congregation is invited to stand in body and/or spirit.
Greeting & Announcements
Prelude - From a Distance, Gold/Griffith, Jim Olive
Call to Worship
Are you here seeking mercy?
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.
Have you sinned against God and neighbor?
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Have you tried to flee from your transgressions?
I once was lost, but now am found.
Wonderful! You are in the right place. You are welcome here.
Let’s worship God together!
+ Hymn 169 - Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (or “Dear Lord, creator good and kind”)
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession - Adapted from a prayer created by EcoCongregation Scotland
Holy God, we live on a small spec of green and blue hurtling in the vast array of galaxy, yet we are each known, loved and strengthened by You. Yet we, who are stiff-necked and obtuse, think we know best: we fail to listen to the warnings, we ignore advice and fail to act. Our false gods of wealth and capitalism, of political might and self-preservation do not serve us well: we confess that sometimes we are lost and do not know how to rejoin the path of the most Holy One. Forgive us, God, that we might be drawn from our wrongful ways, and see the right in front of our eyes. May we seek the good in each other: cleanse our hearts that we see afresh and can act anew. Hear now our silent prayers of confession.
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 447 - We Are Forgiven
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
Prayer for Openness
Lord who welcomes sinners, send your Spirit to sit with us as we hear your Word proclaimed. Find us where we are lost, create in us clean hearts, and help us to see the joy of your mercy. Amen.
Scripture Reading - 1 Timothy 1.12–17, NT pg. 208
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem - Do Not I Love Thee, Dwight Gustafson (1930-2014), Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading - Luke 15, NT Pg 78
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Sermon - I Once Was Lost - Rev. Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - Inclusive Language Version of the Confession of 1967
The reconciling act of God in Jesus Christ exposes the evil in people as sin in the sight of God. In sin, people claim mastery of their own lives, turn against God and each other, and become exploiters and despoilers of the world. They lose their humanity in futile striving and are left in rebellion, despair, and isolation. God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God’s love.
+ HYMN 436 - God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us
Recognition of the Ministry of the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic
What does the Holy One require of us?
To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.
Recounting the Work of the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic
Litany of Thanksgiving
Leader: For the vision of a ministry that saw our immigrant neighbors not as strangers,
but as beloved children of God—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the countless hours of service, advocacy, and compassion offered by attorneys, staff,
and volunteers, who used their gifts to bring justice and hope—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the thousands of immigrants and families who found guidance, support, and a listening ear through this ministry—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the ways this work opened doors to safety, dignity, and opportunity,
and for the witness it gave of your kingdom of welcome—
People: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: Though this particular chapter of ministry now comes to a close, we trust that your Spirit
continues to stir new ways forward.
People: We give you thanks, O God, and ask you to make us faithful.
Leader: Bless those whose lives were touched by this ministry, bless those who served, and bless
the seeds planted that will grow in ways yet unseen.
People: With grateful hearts, we give you thanks, O God. Amen.
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - Come, Thou Fount
• Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessing flow Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
• Prayer of Dedication
+ HYMN 649 - Amazing Grace
Charge & Benediction
Benediction Response - Hymn 539, We Will Go Out with Joy
Postlude - Festival Flourishes, Ovid Young (1940-2014)
+ Indicates that the congregation is invited to stand in body and/or spirit.