OCT 18, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

THE FIRST WORD Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

Pastor: Give thanks to the God of heaven

People: His steadfast love endures forever.

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

PRELUDE Dr. Troy Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Gracious God, as Moses longed to know your ways and experience your presence, draw us nearer to you today. Go with us, teach us, and remind us that everything we have and everything we are rests in your grace. May we recognize your presence among us as we worship. Amen.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: The Lord reigns; let all the earth worship.
People: Holy is the Lord our God!

Leader: God hears us when we call and leads us in the way of faithfulness.
People: We come to praise the One who has been faithful to us.

Leader: Come, let us worship at the feet of our God.
All: Holy is the Lord!

MINISTRY MOMENT         Laity Recognition/Nominations

 

**UMH HYMN #396 “Oh Jesus, I Have Promised”

VERSE 1

O Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou for ever near me,

My Master and my Friend:

I shall not fear the battle

If Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

If Thou wilt be my Guide.

 

VERSE 2

O let me feel Thee near me:

The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,

And shield my soul from sin.

 

VERSE 3

O let me hear thee speaking 

in accents clear and still

above the storms of passion,

the murmurs of self will.

O speak to reassure me,

to hasten or control;

O speak and make me listen, 

thou guardian of my soul.

 

VERSE 4

O Jesus, Thou hast promised

To all who follow Thee,

That where Thou art in glory

There shall Thy servant be;

And Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow

My Master and my Friend.

 

OFFERING & OFFERTORY

 

**DOXOLOGY    

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Matthew 22:17 Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 22:15–22 NRSV Liturgist

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 

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16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality. 

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17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 

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18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 

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19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 

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20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose title?” 

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21 They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” 

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22 When they heard this, they were amazed, and they left him and went away.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

Leader:  The Word of God for the people of God.

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Troy Banks

 

SERMON “Practicing our Faith: Give” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #87 “What Gift Can We Bring?”

What gift can we bring what present what token

What words can convey it the joy of this day

When grateful we come rememb'ring rejoicing

What song can we offer in honor and praise

 

Verse 2

Give thanks for the Past for those who had vision

Who planted and watered so dreams could come true

Give thanks for the Now for study for worship

For mission that bids us turn prayer into deed

 

Verse 3

Give thanks for Tomorrow full of surprises

For knowing whatever Tomorrow may bring

The Word is our promise always forever

We rest in God’s keeping and live in God’s love

 

Verse 4

This gift we now bring this present this token

These words can convey it the joy of this day

When grateful we come rememb'ring rejoicing

This song we now offer in honor and praise

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

As we gather in our fellowship hall, may God bless us. May our faith be shown in what we do, our love in how we serve one another, and our hope in the joy we share together. Bless this food, these conversations, and this community, that even in simple moments together we might reflect the love of Christ. Amen.

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)