MAY 24, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

MINISTRY MOMENT Tech Team

 

PRELUDE Dr. Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

 

Holy and living God,  we gather today in expectation and awe. On this day, you sent your Spirit like a rushing wind, like tongues of fire, filling your people with boldness, unity, and new life.

Unite us across every difference, as you did on that first Pentecost day, so that together we may proclaim your mighty works.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who sends us the Spirit, we pray. Amen.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: Look to the heavens—the moon waxes and wanes,  never standing still, always becoming.

People: We come before God as we are. Changing, growing, and in need of grace.

Leader: In the new moon’s darkness, when light feels hidden,

People: God is present, even when we cannot see.

Leader: In the waxing crescent, when hope begins to rise,

People: God is at work, bringing light into our lives.

Leader: In the fullness of the moon, when light fills the sky,

People: We rejoice in God’s goodness and give thanks.

Leader: In the waning light, when shadows return,

People: We trust that God’s presence never fades.

Leader: Just as the moon reflects the sun,

People: We are called to reflect the light of Christ.

 

**UMH HYMN #57 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

VERSE 1

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace.

 

VERSE 2

My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim, To spread thro’ 

all the earth abroad, The honors of Thy name.

 

VERSE 3

Jesus, the name that charms my fears,

That bids our sorrows cease,

’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,

’Tis life and health and peace.

 

VERSE 4

He breaks the pow’r of canceled sin,

He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make 

the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.

 

VERSE 5

He speaks and listening to his voice

New life the dead receive; the mournful

Broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe

 

VERSE 6

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,

Your loosened tongues employ;

Ye blind, behold your Savior come;

And leap, ye lame, for joy.

 

VERSE 7

In Christ your head you then shall know

Shall feel your sins forgiven; anticipate

Your heaven below, and own that love is heaven.

 

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

Acts 2:1-12 

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 

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2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 

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3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 

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4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 

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5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 

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6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 

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7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 

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8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 

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9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 

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10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 

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11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 

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12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 60:19-20 NRSV Liturgist

19 The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night, but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 

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20 Your sun shall no more go down or your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Banks

 

GOSPEL READING John 1:1-5 NRSV Liturgist

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

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2 He was in the beginning with God. 

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3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 

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4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 

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5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SERMON “Even in the Darkest Phase” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #122 “God of the Sparrow God of the Whale”

God of the sparrow God of the whale

God of the swirling stars

How does the creature say Awe 

How does the creature say Praise

 

God of the earthquake God of the storm

God of the trumpet blast

How does the creature cry Woe

How does the creature cry Save

 

God of the rainbow God of the cross

God of the empty grave

How does the creature say Grace

How does the creature say Thanks

 

God of the hungry God of the sick

God of the prodigal

How does the creature say Care

How does the creature say Life

 

God of the neighbor God of the foe

God of the pruning hook

How does the creature say Love

How does the creature say Peace

 

God of the ages God near at hand

God of the loving heart

How do your children say Joy

Hose do your children say Home

 

CONFIRMATION

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

Through confirmation,

and through the reaffirmation of our faith,

we renew the covenant declared at our baptism,

acknowledge what God is doing for us,and affirm our commitment to Christ's holy Church.

 

I present [NAMES] for confirmation.

 

On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you:

Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,

reject the evil powers of this world,

and repent of your sin?

 

Confirmands: I do.

 

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you

to resist evil, injustice, and oppression

in whatever forms they present themselves?

 

Confirmands: I do.

 

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,

put your whole trust in his grace,

and promise to serve him as your Lord,

 

in union with the Church which Christ has opened

to people of all ages, nations, and races?

 

Confirmands: I do.

 

According to the grace given to you,

will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church

and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?

 

Confirmands: I will.

 

Will you support and encourage [NAMES] in their Christian life?

 

Parents/Sponsors: I will.

 

Remember your baptism and be thankful. 

 

Confirmands: Amen.

 

[NAME], the Holy Spirit work within you,

that having been born through water and the Spirit,

you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 

 

All: Amen.

 

[NAME], the Holy Spirit work within you,

that having been born through water and the Spirit,

you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 

 

All: Amen.

 

[NAMES], as members of Christ's universal Church,

will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church,

and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

 

Confirmands: I will.

 

As members of this congregation,

will you faithfully participate in its ministries

by your prayers, your presence,

your gifts, your service

and your witness?

 

Confirmands: I will.

 

Members of the household of God,

I commend these persons to your love and care.

Do all in your power to increase their faith,

confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

 

Congregation: We give thanks for all that God has already given you

and we welcome you in Christian love.

As members together with you

in the body of Christ

and in this congregation

of The United Methodist Church,

we renew our covenant

faithfully to participate

in the ministries of the Church

by our prayers, our presence,

our gifts, our service, and our witness,

that in everything God may be glorified

through Jesus Christ.

 

[NAMES], the God of all grace,

who has called us to eternal glory in Christ,

establish you and strengthen you

that you may live in grace and peace.

 

**UMH HYMN #593 “Here I Am, Lord”

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save.

 

I, who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord.

Is it I Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

 

I, the Lord of snow and rain.

I have borne my people's pain.

I have wept for love of them. 

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone.

give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord.

Is it I Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord if you lead me.

I will hold. your people in my heart.

 

I, the Lord of wind and flame.

I will tend the poor and lame,

I will set a feast for them.

My hand will save.

 

Finest bread I will provide

till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them

Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord.

Is it I Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord if you lead me.

I will hold. your people in my heart.

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Confirmand 1:

Gracious God,

we thank you for this day—

for your Spirit that guides us,

and for the journey of faith we continue today.

 

Confirmand 2:

We thank you for this food before us,

for the hands that prepared it,

and for the many ways you provide for us each day.

 

Both:

As we gather in fellowship,

help us to grow in love for one another,

just as you have called us to do.

Bless this food, this time together,

and each person here.

Fill us with your Spirit,

and send us out in your love.

Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

POSTLUDE Dr. Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)