Order of Worship:
Welcoming: comments from Rev. Susan.
Prelude: “Change My Heart Oh God,” by Eddie Espinosa
Offered by Tom Ajack, guitar.

Opening Prayer: offered by Rev. Greta.
From all our life’s pathways, you have called us to this place. Be with us God, as we listen for your word and seek your ways. Guide our steps and guard our lives that we may serve you more effectively in this broken world. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Opening Hymn: #357 - Just as I Am, Without One Plea.
Pastoral Prayer (with Lord’s Prayer): offered by Rev. Greta.
Instrumental - “Thy Word.”
Scripture reading: offered by Polly Mather.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to Mark:
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (CEV)

Some Pharisees and several teachers of the Law of Moses from Jerusalem came and gathered around Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples ate without first washing their hands.
The Pharisees and many other Jewish people obey the teachings of their ancestors. They always wash their hands in the proper way before eating. None of them will eat anything they buy in the market until it is washed. They also follow a lot of other teachings, such as washing cups, pitchers, and bowls.
The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?”
Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said,
“All of you praise me
with your words,
but you never really
think about me.
It is useless for you
to worship me,
when you teach rules
made up by humans.”
You disobey God’s commands in order to obey what humans have taught.
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, “Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn’t make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean.”

Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.
Message: “Tradition,” offered by Rev. Susan.
Contemplative Music (A Time to Reflect and Commit).
Ministry Moment: offered by Rev. Greta.

Prayer of Dedication: Offered by Rev. Susan.
Almighty God,
giver of every good and perfect gift,
teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are,
that we may praise you not with our words only,
but with our whole lives. Amen.
Sending Music: #433 - All Who Love and Serve Your City.
Benediction: offered by Rev. Susan.

Postlude: "Hornpipe” from The Water Music by George F. Handel offered by John Sheaffer, organ.
Prepare for worship next Sunday, September 5: by reading Mark 7:24-37.

Flowers Donated by: Janet and Lyle Perrin.