MAR 22, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist:  Hunter Bagnall

 

MINISTRY MOMENT Music Ministry

 

PRELUDE Dr. Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

God of life and victory, we are still walking the long road of Lent laying down what weighs us down, learning again what truly matters.

As we draw closer to Easter morning, as we begin to see that rising light on the horizon, prepare our hearts to release what we cling to and trust the life you are bringing forth.

Teach us what it means to give up control, to give up fear, and to give up anything that keeps us from you.

Meet us here in worship, so that when Your resurrection light comes, we are ready to receive it fully.

Amen.

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: As we draw closer to Easter, what do we do with the sins that bind us and the guilt we still carry?

People: Give it up!

Leader: When fear, control, and old habits try to claim our lives again, what do we say?

People (Shout): Give it up!

Leader: If Christ has conquered the grave and new life is already breaking in, how do we come to worship today?

People (Shout): Give it all to God!

Leader: Then come, lay it down, lift your voices, and worship the God who brings life out of death.

**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

Nicene Creed

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 13:44-53 NRSV Liturgist

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 

--

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 

--

46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 

--

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 

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48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 

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49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 

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50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

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51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 

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52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” 

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53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Banks

 

SERMON “Giving It All Up”

Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #289 “Ah, Holy Jesus”

Verse 1

Ah holy Jesu how hast Thou offended

That we to judge Thee have in hate pretended

By foes derided by Thine own rejected

O most afflicted

 

Verse 2

Who was the guilty who brought this upon Thee

Alas my treason Jesus hath undone Thee

'Twas I Lord Jesus I it was denied Thee

I crucified Thee

 

Verse 3

Lo the good Shepherd for the sheep is offered

The slave hath sinned and the Son hath suffered

For our atonement while we nothing heeded 

God interceded

 

Verse 4

For me kind Jesus was Thy incarnation

Thy mortal sorrow and Thy life's oblation

Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion

For my salvation

 

Verse 5

Therefore kind Jesus since I cannot pay Thee

I do adore Thee and will ever pray Thee

Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving

Not my deserving

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

May this time together remind us that new life is not only something we await, but something we practice in generosity, laughter, and shared grace.

As we eat and drink, may we remember that we are a people who have given up death and received life.

Amen.

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)