Weekly Bulletin: 3/15/26
MAR 15, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP
WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE Dr. Banks
INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist
When the world feels fragile and our answers fall short, we lift our heads and trust that our redemption is drawing near.
We are rooted in a promised life that cannot be destroyed, a salvation that endures beyond all things.
Meet us this morning, O God, and make us ready to receive what you are already giving.
Amen.
**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist
Leader: When the world shakes and fear surrounds us, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.”
People: We will trust the God who holds our lives.
Leader: When answers are uncertain and faith feels tested, he says this will be our time to witness.
People: We place our hope in Christ alone.
Leader: When all seems fragile, he calls us to lift our heads, for redemption is near.
People: We come to the altar, trusting in God’s saving grace.
**WORSHIP SONG “O Come to the Altar” (Elevation Worship)
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood
Oh, what a Savior
Isn't He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
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 Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 21:1-19 NRSV Liturgist
1 He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury;
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2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
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3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them,
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4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
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5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
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6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
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7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”
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8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
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9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
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10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom;
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11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
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12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
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13 This will give you an opportunity to testify.
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14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance,
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15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
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16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
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17 You will be hated by all because of my name.
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18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
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19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist
Liturgist: The Word of God for the people of God.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Banks
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 21:20-38 NRSV Liturgist
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.,
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21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it,
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22 for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written.
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23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people;
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24 they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the times of the nations are fulfilled.
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25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
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26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
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27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.
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28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”,
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29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees;
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30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
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31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
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32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.
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33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,
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35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.
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36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”
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37 Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called.
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38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple.
RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist
Liturgist: The Word of God for the people of God.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Distracted and Deceived” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
**UMH HYMN #298 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
VERSE 1
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
VERSE 2
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood.
VERSE 3
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
VERSE 4
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative
God, help us remember that faithfulness is lived out in ordinary moments. Sometimes those moments can be around the table, listening to one another, caring for our neighbor, sharing food and drink.
We leave Your sanctuary feeling encouraged and connected, knowing that by endurance we gain our lives.
Amen.
**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
POSTLUDE Dr. Banks
(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)