OCT 25, 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

Eternal God, you have been faithful through every generation. Teach us wisdom today. Shape our words, our choices, and our relationships so that the work of our hands may reflect your goodness and never bring harm to our neighbors. Form us more fully in the way of Christ. Amen.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place from generation to generation.
People: From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

Leader: Teach us to live our days with wisdom and grace.
People: Let the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us.

Leader: Establish the work of our hands.
People: And shape our lives according to your love.

 

** WORSHIP SONG     “In Christ Alone”

 

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song; 

this Cornerstone, this solid ground, 

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace 

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease; 

my Comforter, my All in All; 

here in the love of Christ I stand.

 

In Christ alone who took on flesh; 

fullness of God in helpless babe. 

This gift of love and righteousness 

scorned by the ones He came to save; 

til on that cross as Jesus died 

the wrath of God was satisfied; 

for ev'ry sin on Him was laid; 

here in the death of Christ I live.

 

There in the ground His body lay;

Light of the world by darkness slain.

Then bursting forth in glorious day, 

up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory, 

sin's curse has lost its grip on me: 

for l am His and He is mine,

bought with the precious blood of Christ!

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death; 

this is the pow'r of Christ in me.

From life's first cry to final breath, 

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man 

can ever pluck me from His hand; 

til He returns or calls me home, 

here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!

 

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 22:36-39 NLT Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 

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37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 

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38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 

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39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 NRSV Liturgist

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 

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2 “Speak to all the congregation of the Israelites and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

 

15 “You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. 

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16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand idly by when the blood of your neighbor is at stake: I am the Lord. 

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17 “You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 

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18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Troy Banks

 

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 22:34-40 NRSV Pastor

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 

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35 and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. 

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36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 

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37 He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 

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38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 

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39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

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40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Pastor

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SERMON “Practicing Our Faith: Do No Harm” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

VERSE 1

Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heaven, to earth come down,

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion,

Pure, unbounded love thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation,

Enter every trembling heart.

 

VERSE 2

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit

Into ev’ry troubled breast;

Let us all in Thee inherit;

Let us find that second  rest;

Take away our bent to sinning,

Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its beginning,

Set our hearts at liberty

 

VERSE 3

Come, almighty to deliver,

Let us all thy life receive;

Suddenly return, and never,

Never more thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,

Glory in Thy perfect love.

VERSE 4

Finish then Thy new creation;

Pure and spotless let us be;

Let us see Thy great salvation

Perfectly restored in Thee:

Changed from glory into glory,

Till in heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee,

Lost in wonder, love and praise.

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

God of love, bless this time we share together. As your people, teach us not only to share the good news of Christ, but to share our very lives with one another. May our conversations be gracious, our welcome genuine, and our fellowship a place where every person knows they are cared for. Bless this food and all who gather around it. Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)