APR 19, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

MISSION MOMENT Nanticoke Indian Tribe

PRELUDE Dr. Banks

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Holy God,

On the day of Pentecost, your Spirit rushed into the room like a mighty wind. Flames of fire rested upon your people, and ordinary followers of Jesus were filled with courage, joy, and boldness.

Pour out your Spirit upon us today. Breathe new life into our worship and awaken our hearts to your presence. Where we are weary, renew us. Where we are fearful, strengthen us. Where we are uncertain, guide us.

As your Spirit once empowered the disciples to proclaim your good news to the world, empower us now to live faithfully as followers of Jesus Christ.

Move among us in this time of worship, that our hearts may be lifted, our faith renewed, and our lives transformed by your Spirit.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.”

People: The Spirit of truth will dwell with us and remain among us.

Leader: We are not left alone.

People: God’s Spirit guides us, comforts us, and teaches us.

Leader: The Spirit reminds us of Christ’s words.

People: The Spirit leads us into lives of faith and freedom.

**TFWS HYMN #2088 “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”

Verse

Lord I lift Your name on high

Lord I love to sing Your praises

I'm so glad You're in my life

I'm so glad You came to save us

You came from heaven to earth

To show the way

From the earth to the cross

My debt to pay

From the cross to the grave

From the grave to the sky

Lord I lift Your name on high

 

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 Romans 8:1-17 NRSV Liturgist

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

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2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 

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3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 

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4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit., 

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5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit., 

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6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 

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7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed, it cannot, 

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8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

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9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 

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10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

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11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 

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12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—

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13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

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14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 

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15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 

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16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 

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17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Banks

 

SERMON “Discipleship: Disciples Empowered by the Holy Spirit”

Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH #374 “Standing on the Promises”

VERSE 1

Standing on the promises 

of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages 

let His praises ring;

Glory in the highest, 

I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, Standing 

on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing, 

I’m standing on the promises of God.

 

VERSE 2

Standing on the promises

that cannot fail,

When the howling storms

of doubt and fear assail,

By the living word of God 

I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, Standing 

on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God

 

VERSE 3

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, Standing 

on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God

 

VERSE 5

Standing on the promises 

I cannot fall,

List’ning ev’ry moment 

to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior, 

as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, Standing 

on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Dear God,

From the beginning of creation, your Spirit has moved across the waters, bringing order and life. Through the prophets, you promised that your Spirit would be poured out upon all people, renewing hearts and breathing life where there was once dryness and despair.

As we gather now in fellowship, let your Spirit continue to move among us. Bless our conversations, our laughter, and our shared time together. Strengthen the bonds of this community and remind us that your Spirit is always at work bringing new life, new hope, and new beginnings.

We give you thanks for this time together and for the gift of your Spirit among us.

Amen.

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)