Please join us each Sunday at 11:00 am for Morning Services
First Sunday / Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
Liturgist: Austin Herb
Pastor: Rev. David W. Mantz
Music Director: Michael Petruzzi
*Congregation standing as they are able
Liturgist Greeting and Announcements
Imminent Pumpkin Arrival – This Saturday, October 3rd, at 4:00 p.m., the pumpkins will arrive. Please bring wheelbarrows, rakes, and brooms. It usually takes us a little over an hour, so it will not take much of your time. We also need help selling pumpkins throughout the month. Please sign up by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FAAA722A5F4C34-66195447-numc.
Adult Diaper Drive – The need for adult incontinence items keeps rising as our population ages. This Summer, each of our Valley Parish churches will collect needed items, such as pads and disposable underwear. All items will go to our community’s diaper bank. This collection will go through September 30th. Pack-up and assembly will be done at Seymour Church on Saturday, October 17th at 10 a.m.
Fall Festival Tag Sale Saturday, October 24th, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. – We are now accepting your always generous and appreciated donations, as well as your help setting up and breaking down. Please place donations in the garage. As usual – only items that one person can comfortably lift – so no large items such as large living room chairs or big-screen TVs. Please note that we must haul away anything you donate that isn’t sold.
Fall Coat Giveaway – The Church Thrift Shop is now accepting coat donations, which will be given away at our Fall Fest Weekend on Saturday, October 24th
New Member Sunday – Will be Sunday, October 25th. We will welcome and officially recognize new members this Sunday at morning service and with a special cake at coffee hour afterward. Anyone who wants to officially join and become a member of the church should see Pastor Dave to be included!
Food Share at the Salem School – Every other Wednesday from 12 – 1 p.m.
The Ecumenical Food Bank requires a consistent supply of instant oatmeal, ketchup, apple juice, pork and beans, canned fruit or fruit cups, and canned meat.
Future Dates for your Calendar
Saturday, October 3rd, 9 a.m. – Men’s Breakfast at Grandpa’s Restaurant
Saturday, October 3rd, 4 p.m. – Pumpkin Delivery and Setup at Church
Sunday, October 4th – Choir Resumes
Saturday, October 10th, 10 – 2 p.m. – Waterbury UMC Fall Fest and Vendor Fair
Sunday, October 11th, 3 -5 p.m. – Charge Conference at Seymour Pearl Street
Saturday, October 17th, 10 a.m. – Diaper pack-up and assembly, Seymour Pearl St.
Sunday, October 18th, – Operation Christmas Child Kickoff
Thursday, October 22nd, 7 p.m. – Naugatuck Church Council Meeting via Zoom
Saturday, October 24th, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Naugatuck Fall Fest
Sunday, October 25th – New Member Sunday
Intercessory Prayer – Monday at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom; please contact the pastor for the Zoom link.
Adult Bible Study – Will resume Wednesday, September 30th, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Please get in touch with the pastor for the Zoom link
Memory Verse
21 “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” – Matthew 19:21
*Call to Worship (Together in Unison)
Our God is an awesome force –immeasurable by our human standards. All that has breath praises his holy name. He created the unshakeable mountains and the vast expanses of sky. This same God is near to the brokenhearted and afraid. He offers rest from our burdens and shelter from the storm. What an awesome God we serve.
*Opening Hymn
Hymn #368 “My Hope Is Built”
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Verse 2
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Verse 3
His oath His covenant His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Verse 4
When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
CCLI Song # 25417
Psalm 19:1-14 (Read Responsively)
UM Hymnal # 750
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims God handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them God has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his chamber,
and runs its course with joy like a strong man.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Also keep back your servant also from the insolent;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O LORD,
my rock and my redeemer.
Affirmation Of Faith
We believe in God Who is love, Whose love is manifest in all of creation, in our lives and in all people. We follow Jesus, who incarnated God’s love in His life and ministry, and in His death and resurrection. By His Spirit in us, we are filled with God’s love too, and we live it by loving God and our neighbors, through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.
Pastor’s Greeting
Testimony Time, Prayers, Joys & Concerns
Hymn of Preparation
Hymn #364 “Because He Lives”
Verse 1
God sent His Son they called Him Jesus
He came to love heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove
My Savior lives
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
Verse 2
How sweet to hold our newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days
Because Christ lives
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
Verse 3
And then one day I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory
And I’ll know He reigns
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
CCLI Song # 16880
Choir Anthem – “Here I Am to Worship”
Message Text
21 “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” – Matthew 19:21
The Message – “Simplicity”
Apostle Creed
Hymn No. 7
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Response To The Word
INVITATION
Pastor: Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.
CONFESSION AND PARDON
Congregation: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.
Pastor: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Congregation: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Pastor and Congregation: Glory to God. Amen.
Pastor: As forgiven and reconciled people, Let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.
Tithes And Offering
Offering Prayer
*Doxology
Hymn #94 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Chorus
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures here below
Alleluia alleluia
Praise God the source of all our gifts
Praise Christ Whose power uplifts
Praise the Spirit Holy Spirit
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
CCLI Song # 5100718
The Great Thanksgiving
Pastor: The Lord Be with You
Congregation: And also with you
Pastor: Lift up your hearts
Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord
Pastor: Let us Give thanks to the Lord our God
Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise
Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through the prophets.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Congregation: Holy, Holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. by water and the Spirit. When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.
Pastor: On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Congregation: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever
Congregation: Amen
Pastor: And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray:
All: 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,
and the power, and the
glory, forever. Amen.
Pastor: Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. The cup over which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
BREAKING THE BREAD
GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
Pastor: Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pastor: The body of Christ, given for you.
Congregation: Amen.
Pastor: The blood of Christ, given for you.
Congregation: Amen.
* Closing Hymn
Hymn #367 “He Touched Me”
Verse 1
Shackled by a heavy burden
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
Chorus
He touched me
Oh He touched me
And oh the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
Verse 2
Since I met this blessed Savior
Since He cleansed and made me whole
I will never cease to praise Him
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls
Chorus
He touched me
Oh He touched me
And oh the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
CCLI Song # 13072
* Benediction
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
*Postlude
Hymn #666 “Shalom to You”
Chorus
Shalom to you now
Shalom my friends
May God’s full mercies bless you my friends
In all your living and through your loving
Christ be your shalom
Christ be your shalom
CCLI Song # 114122
Connect With Us
Pastor: Rev David W Mantz
Email: dwmantz@gmail.com
Urgent – 845-546-4837 Personal Cell Phone
Pastor’s Office Hours: by appointment
Naugatuck UMC
208 Meadow Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770
Church Office:203-729-4236
Church Email:numcc@gmail.com



