Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

Matthew 16:13-20; Romans 12:1-8 | As kids learn how to build with blocks, eventually they learn to build a solid foundation. In the same way, in our lives of faith, a solid foundation is necessary. Which, as followers of Jesus, we look to Jesus as our foundation: our Lord, our King, and our Messiah. But what are we – as individual disciples and as the whole body of Christ – building upon this foundation? Or perhaps even more so, are we allowing ourselves to be built up, to be transformed, to be Christ’s body? Whether your foundation feels secure or a bit shaky, join us this weekend for worship as we look to Jesus as our rock, and as we offer ourselves to the Spirit to build Christ’s Kingdom in us and through us.

Sunday, August 23, 2026, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering:  Making Their Way. Text: Deloris Dufner, OSB, b. 1939 Music: A. Valerius, Nederlandtsch Gedenckclank, 1626; arr. Adrian Engels, 1906-2003. Text: © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Change My Heart, O God. Text and Music: Eddie Espinosa, b. 1953. Text and Music: © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing, admin. Music Services. Covered under One License  subscription. Communion Song: We Declare. Text and Music: Alanna Glover, Liv Chapman. Text and Music: © 2016 Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Take My Life, That I May Be. Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, adapt. Music: William Dexheimer Pharris, b. 1956; arr. Mark Sedio, b. 1954. Music: © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

1 Kings 19:9-18; Matthew 14:22-33 | It’s easy to get stuck in narrative cycles. AI algorithms learn our tendencies, streamlining what we do and don’t see online, and human tendencies move us toward people with thoughts and beliefs similar to our own. But even beyond narratives around us, narratives within us can become broken records – some for our benefit, and some for our detriment. Which, as we meet Elijah in the wilderness, numerous narratives were cycling through his mind. But unfortunately, those narratives were restricting his ability to notice – and respond – to God’s presence. So, as we gather in community for worship this weekend, join us as we assess the narrative reels that occupy our minds, our churches, and our society, and as we look to Jesus for a different reel – not focused on ourselves but on the power of God – to move us onward.  

Sunday, August 9, 2026, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Shout to the Lord. Text and Music: Darlene Zschech. Text and Music: © 1993 Darlene Zschech/Hillsong Publishing, admin, in USA & Canada Interity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: We’ve Come This Far by Faith. Text and Music: Albert A. Goodson. Text and Music: © 1993, Manna Music. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: It Is Well with My Soul. Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873. Music: Philip P. Bliss. Text and Music: © 2021 Tonioli Music, LLC. Performed by Audrey Assad. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine. Text and Music: Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Music: © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 14:13-21 | Throughout Scripture, we’re given images of God’s abundance. Over and over, we’re promised that God is good to all and that God provides food in due season. But as we see in the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, God’s abundance is not necessarily given to one person. Nor is God’s abundance something that we – independently – can enjoy. Rather, God’s abundance begins when we offer what is in our hands to God, trusting that God can do something even beyond our imagination to nourish not only ourselves, but all people. So as we come to Christ, seeking the food that truly satisfies, join us in worship as we gather in community with one another, and as we participate in the unfolding story of God’s miraculous work happening in us and through us.

Sunday, August 2, 2026, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: All Who Are Thirsty. Text and Music: Brenton Brown, Glenn Robertson. Text and Music: © 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire). Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken. Text and Music: Herman G Stuempfl e, Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 2006 GIA Publications, Inc.. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Come to the Water. Text and Music: Church of the Apostles. Text and Music: © 2015 Cota Music. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ. Text and Music: Fred Kaan. Text: © 1975 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 | For the past few weeks, we’ve been immersed in the parables of Jesus in Matthew 13. Painting a picture of the kingdom of heaven through numerous parables, Jesus concludes by asking his disciples, “have you understood all this?” The disciples respond, “yes,” but we may find ourselves still scratching our heads. And yet, the point of Jesus’ parables is not for the sake of cognitive comprehension; instead, the whole of Jesus’ parables are an invitation to invest in the riches of God’s Kingdom. So, as we conclude our focus on Jesus’ parables, join us for worship as we receive again God’s unexpected forgiveness, and as we are formed to participate in what God has already begun in us.

Sunday, July 26, 2026, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Gather Us In. Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1982, GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. Text and Music: Karen Lafferty. Text and Music: © 1972 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours). Text and Music: Matt Maher, Bryan Fowler, Jacob Sooter. Text and Music: © Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) bryanfowlersongs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Caroco Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Just When Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Build Us Up, Lord. Text and Music: Donna Hanna, Mark Glaeser. Text: © 2003, Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 | When we hear images of fire, weeping, and gnashing of teeth in Scripture, it’s not uncommon to be uncomfortable or even to label God as vindictive, angry, or judgmental. But if we look at these images in isolation, we miss the message of God’s ultimate desire for God’s Kingdom of goodness and wholeness to reign over all things. So, as we continue to wrestle with Jesus’ parables of the kingdom, join us this weekend as we acknowledge the weeds that reside within and around us, as we pray for Jesus to invade our lives and our world for good, and as we are sent to spread seeds of hope.

Sunday, July 19, 2026, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Sing to the Lord of Harvest. Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt. Music: Johann Steurlein, 1546-1613. Text and Music: © Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: The Reign of God, like Farmer’s Field. Text and Music: Delores Dufner. Text and Music: © 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: In the Fields of the Lord. Text and Music: Isaac Wardell, Audrey Assad. Text and Music: © 2017 Essential Music Publishing LLC. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Bring Forth the Kingdom. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text: © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 | Of Jesus’ parables, one of the most common is the parable of the sower. Seed falls in four places, yielding fruit only in good soil. At first glance, this parable may simply be a moralistic tale giving us the message that we “should” be “good soil.” This interpretation isn’t wrong, but the way Jesus presents his parables in the Gospels push us to go deeper. So, as we consider how Jesus’ parables paint a picture of the nature of God’s Kingdom, and as we consider Jesus’ invitation for us to become active participants within God’s ongoing and active mission, join us for worship as we hear again the promise of God’s faithfulness and as we are given yet another invitation to respond in faith.

Sunday, July 12, 2026, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: For the Fruit of All Creation. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text and Music: © 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: O God, Whose Word Well-Planted. Text and Music: Herman G Stuempfle, Stephen P. Folkemer. Text and Music: © 1990 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: The Gardener. Text and Music: Ben Shive, Maria Roate, Sarah Quaglia. Text and Music: © 2024 Beehive Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Fiat Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) The Sounds Of Running Club Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music) Remaining portion is unaffiliated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: God of the Fertile Fields. Text: Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974, alt. Music: ITALIAN HYMN, Felice de Giardini, 1716-1796. Text: © 1955, ren. 1983 The Hymn Society, admin Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 | We all have expectations. Expectations of what might happen at an event, expectations of what life might look like years from now, expectations of one another, and expectations of our country. Expectations aren’t inherently wrong to have, but things get interesting when expectations get out of wack. Even within the church, and in our lives of faith, we carry expectations of who Jesus is, what the church is about, and God’s mission in the world. But as we’ll see in our Gospel this weekend, sometimes those expectations become a reality that hinders us from truly listening to Jesus and becoming a part of God’s Kingdom work in the world. So as we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, join us for worship as we turn to the only one who can offer us freedom, and as we heed Jesus’ invitation to take his yoke upon ourselves and learn from him.

Sunday, July 5, 2026, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: I Was Glad. Text: Psalm 122:1, refrain; Jay Beech, stanzas. Music: Jay Beech. Text and Music: © 1999 Jay Beech. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: This Is My Song. Text: Lloyd Stone, 1912-1993, sts. 1-2; Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974, st. 3. Music: Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957. Text sts. 1-2: © 1934, 1962, Lorenz Publishing Company, st. 3 © 1964 Lorenz Publishing Company. Music: © Breitkopf & Härtel. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: We Are One (In The Father’s Love). Text and Music: Alanna Glover, Claire Williams. Text and Music: © 2019 Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Make Me an Instrument. Text and Music: Larry Olson, Karol Baer. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 10:40-42 | “Welcome!” It’s a greeting we use with one another often, and a shortened response to “thank you!” But what is “welcome” really all about? And, are we willing to not only offer welcome, but also receive it? Join us this weekend for worship as we hear Jesus’ promise given to his disciples – promising that they would find welcome and hospitality as they were sent out in mission – and as we are gathered at the table of our King who welcomes us and transforms us into Christ’s servants.

Sunday, June 28, 2026, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: All Are Welcome. Text and Music: Mary Haugen, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1994 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Spirit, Open My Heart. Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Music: Irish melody; adapt. Alfred V. Fedack, b. 1953. Text: © 1996 Pilgrim Press. Music: © 2011 Alfred V. Fedak. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: All belong Here. Text and Music: Lacey Brown. Text and Music: © 2022 PoorClare (Admin. By Lacey Brown) Brown, Lacey. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Lord of Justice. Text and Music: Larry Olson. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 9:35-10:8 |This weekend, we’re reminded of the compassion of Jesus, who sees the burdens, struggles, and needs of his people and responds with love. As Christ calls and sends his disciples into a plentiful harvest, he also calls ordinary believers today to serve faithfully where God has placed them. Even in a world filled with challenges and uncertainty, we can move forward with confidence, trusting that the Lord of the harvest is still at work, gathering us and accomplishing God’s purposes through us.

Sunday, June 14, 2026, Third Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: This Is My Fathers World. Text: Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901. Music: Franklin L. Sheppard, 1852-1930, adapted. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: You Give the Great Commission. Text: Jeffery Rowthorn, b. 1934. Music: Cyril V. Taylor, 1907-1991. Text: © 1978 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 1942, ren. 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: I Love to Tell the Story. Text: Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911. Music: William E. Fischer, 1849-1936. Text and Music: © Public Domain.

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20 | Who is God? It’s a question that’s voiced not only by people of faith, but by those who are wondering, seeking, and searching. So what do we have to say about who God is? The short answer is that God is Triune. But even this doesn’t answer our questions. So rather than turn to short, black-and-white doctrine, join us in worship this weekend as we explore who God is as revealed to us in Scripture, who we are as people made in the image of God, and from that, what our why is as followers of Jesus’ Way.

Sunday, May 31, 2026, Holy Trinity Sunday

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Come, Join the Dance of Trinity. Text: Richard Leach, b. 1953. Music: English folk tune. Text: © Richard D. Leach, 2001, 2002; © 2002, 2005, Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: The Play of the Godhead. Text: Mary Louise Bringle, b. 1953. Music: William P. Rowan, b. 1951. Text: © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: © 2000 William P. Rowan, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Apostle’s Creed. Text and Music: Alanna Glover, James McDonald, Liv Chapman, Philip Gordon Percival, Tim Chester. Text and Music: © Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Go, Make Disciples. Text and Music: Handt Hanson, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1996 Prince of Peace Publishing, Changing Church, Inc.. Covered under One License subscription.