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August 31st 9:30 AM Worship Service 12th Sunday after Pentecost CEDAR CHURCH A Union Church since 1855 3419 Broadway Allentown, PA 18104 610-395-6332 Email: cedarchurch@ptd.net www.cedarchurchlv.com Our Mission Cedar Church extends a hand of welcome to all of God’s children seeking a place of worship among persons dedicated to the love of Christ and his teachings. Message

*Please rise in body or spirit. Before The Service A selection of traditional & contemporary sacred music arrangements played on the piano Prelude Siciliano John Alcock Ringing of the Bell Welcome & Announcements Greeting P: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, One God, whose steadfast love endures forever. C: Amen.

Gathering Hymn God Is Here! all verses

*CALL TO WORSHIP P: Come whether you are rich or poor C: Come whether you are happy or sad. P: Come whether you are friend or foe. C: Come whether you are a sinner or a saint. P: Gather around the table of the Lord! C: For there is enough here for everyone. P: God’s love and grace C: are overflowing, enough for all! *Opening Prayer LA: Let us pray: C: Spirit of the Heavenly Banquet, we are in awe of the many ways you nourish us. Accept our praise and through our worship feed us, that our spirits may be satisfied and that we might be energized to return to the living of our days. Through your generosity inspire us to serve you as we share your blessings with a world starving for food for body and spirit. Amen.. *Invitation to Confession P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. *UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION C: With you, loving God, is the beauty that shows up the defects in us. With you is the goodness which shames the evil in us. With you is the love that reveals our lack of compassion. Yet also with you is the love that embraces us no matter how others see us or how unworthy we feel. With you is the Christ like grace that welcomes the sinner with open arms. Many the times we have turned our backs on you, but there has never been a time when you have turned your back on us. Embrace us with you mercy and forgiveness. Transform and redeem us as you fill us with your spirit so we can treat others and ourselves as Jesus would treat us. Amen. Silence is kept for Reflection *ASSURANCE OF PARDON P: In the soul of God, we each have a place of honor where the Spirit nourishes us. Then filled with the abundant love of God, we can extend ourselves in new and life-giving ways. Receive forgiveness and live the love of God. C: Thanks be to God.

*Canticle of Praise (Please be seated) Scriptures (Scripture Verses are NSRV unless otherwise stated) The Old Testament Lesson Jeremiah 2:4-13 Jeremiah 4:11–13 warns of a hot, destructive wind and fast-approaching enemies as a sign of God’s judgment on His people for turning away from Him. The vivid images remind us that God gives warnings not to harm us, but to call us back to Him. 4Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? 6They did not say, “Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?” 7I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. 8The priests did not say, “Where is the LORD?” Those who

handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit. 9Therefore once more I accuse you, says the LORD, and I accuse your children’s children. 10Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. 11Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. 12Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD, 13for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water. The Responsive Reading of the Psalms Psalm 81:1, 10-16 God’s covenant people celebrated many festivals honoring God and His provisions. Poets composed songs specifically for use on feast days. Psalm 81 is one of those. It was written to celebrate the Festival of Booths. God commanded His people to celebrate this festival every year so they would remember how God provided for them as they moved toward the promised land. 1Sing with joy to God our strength and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob. 10“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11Yet my people did not hear my voice, and Israel would not obey me. 12So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, to follow their own devices. 13Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 14I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. 15Those who hate the LORD would cringe in fear, and their punishment would last forever. 16But I would feed you with the finest wheat and satisfy you with honey from the rock.” The Epistle Lesson Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 The conclusion of the letter to the Hebrews contains suggestions for the conduct of a holy life, all of which are shaped by God’s love toward us in Jesus Christ.

1Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” 7Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. C: Thanks be to God. The Gospel Lesson Luke 14:1, 7-14 Jesus observes guests jockeying for position at the table. He uses the opportunity to teach his hearers to choose humility rather than self-exaltation. Jesus also makes an appeal for hosts to imitate God’s gracious hospitality to those in need. *Gospel Acclamation P: Listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. C: Glory to you, O Lord.

1On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” P: This is the good news. C: Praise to you, O Christ. (Please be seated.) Prayer of the Day P: O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our brother and Savior. C: Amen. Sermon "Room at the Table."

Hymn of the Day Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me all verses

Prayers of Intercession P: Trusting in God’s extraordinary love, let us come near to the Holy One in prayer. (Silence is kept.) LA: For the church and its leaders, we pray. Uphold all who serve and teach your people. Awaken in your church a spirit of invitation that reaches ever outward. Merciful God, C: receive our prayer. LA: For the well-being of creation and its inhabitants, we pray. Stir in us reverent awe for the beauty of the natural world, for oceans and lakes, rivers and streams, forests and deserts. Merciful God, C: receive our prayer. LA: For the nations and peoples of the world, we pray. Sustain the efforts of those who pursue justice and equity for all. Defend and accompany all immigrants and refugees and all who are persecuted for their ethnic origin or religious beliefs. Merciful God, C: receive our prayer. P: For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, we pray. Be present with those who live in isolation or fear, especially those who are incarcerated. Comfort all who are sick or grieving especially those on our prayer list... Merciful God, C: receive our prayer. P: For this congregation and its ministries, we pray. Prepare children and teachers, for a new year of learning. Embolden our witness to invite others to the table. Merciful God, C: receive our prayer. P: For all the saints who confessed God’s name, we give thanks. May we cling to the promise of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Merciful God, C: receive our prayer. P: Receive the prayers of your children, merciful God, and hold us forever in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ, our holy Wisdom. Hear us as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us…

*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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. * Offertory Invitation P: In our offering, we give not only our material gifts, but we offer ourselves to God once again. Let us share from our vast resources for God’s mission in the world. Please share generously. (Please be seated.) Offertory Music Abide with Me setting by Mark Hayes *Doxology (Sung) C: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below: Praise him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication P: Let us pray. C: This is our place to learn and practice the way of Jesus. Here we will cultivate mutual love; here we will remember those whose place is with us, yet they are not yet free to come be with us. Here we will honor relationships that nurture faithfulness and fullness. Through the gifts we bring and the lives we live we will hold loosely to our worldly wealth and share what we have to do the good we can. From this place we will go out from here and offer hospitality. Amen.

* Commissioning (inspired by 2 Timothy 1: 1-14) P: Go now, relying on the power of God Guard the good treasure God has entrusted to you and hold firm to the teaching of the apostles. Remember one another in your prayers and continue to offer yourselves for the gospel. And may God give you grace, mercy and peace; May Christ Jesus lead you into life and faith; And may the Holy Spirit live within you and rekindle good gifts within you. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, C: In the name of our brother and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. Amen. ~ copyright © 2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

*Sending Hymn I Will Sing of My Redeemer all verses

*Sung Benediction C: God be with you till we meet again. By his counsels’ guide uphold you, Keep love’s banner floating o’er you, God be with you till we meet again. *Dismissal LA: Go in peace. Love your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Postlude: Voluntary in A Minor John James The Ministers Pastor All the People Rev. Candi Cain-Borgman (cell: 610-762-9391) Music Director Sexton Church Secretary David Beck Don Hinderliter Jenny Simmons Volunteers Office Hrs. Tue-Wed-Thu 8am-4pm Lay Assistance Altar Guild Ushers Cindy Borger Nancy Otto Jeannine Leonard Videographer & Claxton Welcome Video Content Creator Phil Horlacher Zach Borger & Sarah Barnaby Thank you Rev. Ernest Diefenderfer for Preaching Today 2025 Cedar Advisory Board (CAB) President: Chris Ellis, Vice President: Tammy Boyer, Treasurer: Phil Horlacher, Assistant Treasurer: Sue Phillips, Appointed Secretary: Jeannine Leonard and Assistant Secretary: Janine Barnaby, Members: Zach Borger, Carol Haines, Ron Kozza, Cory Lentz, Maggie Gabel and Pastor Candi Cain-Borgman

Sunday, August 31, 2025 Altar Guild: 12 Sunday After Pentecost, Linen Green Summer Service 7:30am Sanctuary Sunday Worship Service Hymn Sing 9:30am Sanctuary Monday, September 1, 2025 Labor Day Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Worship and Music 7:00pm 100 Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Choir Practice 7:00pm 100 Thursday, September 4, 2025 Endowment 7:00pm 103 Sunday, September 7, 2025 Altar Guild: 13 Sunday After Pentecost, Linen Green Communion Service Grandparent’s Day Sunday Worship Service 9:30am Sanctuary Tuesday, September 9, 2025 C.A.B. MEETING 7:00pm 100 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Young Adult Group 6:00pm 002 Choir Practice 7:00pm 100 󹷵󹷶󹷷󹷸󹷹󹷺󹸇󹷻󹷼󹷽󹷾󹷿󹸀󹸁󹸂󹸃󹸄󹸅󹸆󹸈 Thank you to this week’s sponsors for their generous gifts that bless our worship and ministry at Cedar Church. 󶧤󶧥󶧦󶧧󶧨󶧩󼢛󼢜󼢝 󶧅󶧆 ALTAR FLOWERS • Given by Kathy Balliet in memory of her husband, John Balliet. • Given by June Knecht in loving memory of her great-granddaughters, Kristen Wolfe and Skylar Detweiler. 󹒥󹒦󹒧󹒨 BULLETIN • Given by Dale Clauser in loving memory of his wife, Nancy Clauser. • Given by William Dorney in memory of departed loved ones. 󹒎󹒏󹒐󹒑󹒒󹒓 DEVOTIONALS • Given by the Estate of Paul and Madlyn Haines in memory of departed loved ones. 󹐙󹐚󹐛󹐜󹒩󹒪󹒫󹒬󹒭 YOUTH BULLETIN • Given by Tom Hickey in remembrance of his wife, Irene Hickey.

󶧠󶧡󶧢󶧣 Harvest Home Food Collection Ends September 21st for local families facing food insecurity. Let’s fill the table with love and generosity as we offer our gifts to God and our community. 󶱀󶱁󶱂󶱃󶱄󶱅󶱈󶱉󶱊󶱋󶱆󶱇󶱌 Celebrate Grandparents Day with Us! Sunday, September 7th Join us for a heartwarming Grandparents Day Worship Service as we honor the love, faith, and legacy of grandparents and all those who fill that special role in our lives. Short and Long Term Illness Beth G., Oliva, Jackson and Emmalyn, Alicia and Kely Eggert, Devyn, Lynn L., Frank Knauss, Denise and Alan, Vicky Mace, Kathy Wilt, Barbara Flickinger, Kelly Schantz, Daniel McFadden, Tom and Diane Bartman, Malachi Calderon, Elaine, Nancy, Joanne McNabb, Skip Phillips, Brandon Mace, Garnett, Amy Beck, Eric Wakoli, Patti, George Minnich, Marlene Frey, Kourtney, Sara Beth, Amanda, Cindy Polchik, Danielle, Barry, Joan Carter, Dale Erdman, Jean Robertson, Megan, Kim Bastian, Pauline Gaal, Haisley Grim, Howard & Nancy, Cassie Mace, Brooke Weber, Randy, Members of our Recovery Groups, Cedar’s Homebound Members Albert Plarr, Barbara Snyder, Ardella, Jeanette Fry, Linda Ellis, Nancy Erdman, William Dorney, Rosanne Ritter, Lu Vogle, Shirley McNabb, Christine Wagner, Elanore Gilbert Sharon Acampora, Betty Brunner, Mary Fillman and Gail Ruth And for all families grieving lost loved ones To add or remove a name from the prayer list, please contact the church office. Please note the Lehigh Valley and Saint Luke's Hospital Lists are not kept up to date and can be difficult to navigate. So, please notify the Church Office or Pastor Candi if you or a family member is hospitalized.

Cedar Church 3419 Broadway Allentown, Pa 18104