MAY 3, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

MISSION MOMENT SUM

 

PRELUDE Dr. Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Faithful God,

Your Word calls us to work with all our hearts, as though we are serving you and not merely one another. As we gather in worship, shape our hearts for joyful service. Help us to see every act of kindness, every moment of care, and every offering of love as service to Christ our Lord.

Through His name we pray,
Amen.

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

 

Leader: Imagine the room where the disciples gathered for supper. The table is set. The meal is ready. The disciples take their places. And then Jesus rises from the table. He removes his outer robe, wraps a towel around his waist, and pours water into a basin. One by one, he kneels and washes their feet. The Teacher becomes the servant.

 

People: Lord, teach us to follow your example.

 

Leader: Jesus says, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

 

People: Lord, form us into servants of your love.

 

Leader: Come, let us worship the One who came not to be served, but to serve.

 

People: Let us worship Christ our servant and our Lord.

 

COMMISSIONING
PASTOR: Brothers and sisters in Christ,
we are all called to ministry through our baptism.
God calls each of us to use our gifts
for the building up of the body of Christ
and the care of one another in love.

Today we recognize and commission these persons
to a ministry of prayer and care in this congregation.

PASTOR: Dear friends,
you are called to a ministry of compassion, presence, and prayer.
You are sent to walk alongside others in times of joy and sorrow,
to listen with patience,
to pray with faith,
and to bear the burdens of those entrusted to your care.

Will you devote yourselves to this ministry,
seeking to serve with humility, love, and faithfulness?

P&C TEAM: We will, with God’s help.

PASTOR: Will you respect the dignity and confidentiality of those you serve,
and remain faithful in prayer for them?

P&C TEAM: We will, with God’s help.

PASTOR: Members of the household of God,
will you support and uphold these persons in their ministry?
Will you pray for them,
encourage them,
and be open to receiving their care?

CONGREGATION: We will, with God’s help.

PASTOR: Let us pray.

PASTOR/CONGREGATION: Gracious God,
pour out your Holy Spirit upon these your servants,
whom we set apart today for the ministry of prayer and care.

Grant them compassion in their hearts,
wisdom in their words,
and faithfulness in their prayers.
Give them strength when the work is heavy,
and joy in seeing your love at work in the lives of others.

May they be instruments of your peace,
bearing one another’s burdens
and reflecting the love of Christ in all they do.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PASTOR: Go forth in the name of Christ,
to love and serve God’s people
through prayer, presence, and care.

 

**WORSHIP SONG “Build My Life” (Pat Barrett) Pat Barrett - Build My Life (Official Audio)

 

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

1 Samuel 5:1-5

After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. 

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2 They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. 

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3 But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. 

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4 But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. 

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5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold.

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING John 13:3-17 NRSV Liturgist

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 

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4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 

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5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 

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6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 

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7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 

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8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 

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9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 

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10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 

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11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

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12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 

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13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. 

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14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

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15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 

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16 Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 

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17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

 

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 Serve Joyfully” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #467 “Trust and Obey”

Verse 1

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word

What a glory He sheds on our way

While we do His good will

He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey

 

Verse 2

Not a burden we bear

Not a sorrow we share

But our toil He doth richly repay

Not a grief or a loss

Not a frown or a cross

But is blessed if we trust and obey

Trust and obey

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey

 

Verse 3

But we never can prove

The delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay

For the favor He shows

And the joy He bestows

Are for them who will trust and obey

Trust and obey

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey

 

Verse 4

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet

Or we'll walk by His side in the way

What He says we will do

Where He sends we will go

Never fear only trust and obey

Trust and obey

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey

 

HOLY COMMUNION

Pastor:  The Lord be with you.

People:  And also with you.

Pastor:  Lift up your hearts. 

People:  We lift them up to the Lord.

Pastor:  Let us give thanks to the Lord.

People:  It is right to give our thanks and praise.

(Pastor Prays)

People:  Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

(Pastor Prays Prayer of Consecration)

People:  Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

 

CLOSING SONG “Just as I Am - I Come Broken”

Just as I am without one plea

But that thy blood was shed for me

And that thou bidst me come to thee

O Lamb of God I come, I come

 

I come broken to be mended

I come wounded to be healed

I come desp’rate to be rescued

I come empty to be filled

 

I come guilty to be pardoned 

By the blood of Christ, the lamb

And I’m welcomed with open arms

Praise God just as I am

 

Just as I am and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot

To thee whose blood 

can cleanse each spot

O Lamb of God I come, I come

 

I come broken to be mended

I come wounded to be healed

I come desp’rate to be rescued

I come empty to be filled

 

I come guilty to be pardoned 

By the blood of Christ, the lamb

And I’m welcomed with open arms

Praise God just as I am

 

Just as I am I would be lost

But mercy and grace 

my freedom bought

And now to glory in your cross

O Lamb of God I come

 

I come broken to be mended

I come wounded to be healed

I come desp’rate to be rescued

I come empty to be filled

 

I come guilty to be pardoned 

By the blood of Christ, the lamb

And I’m welcomed with open arms

Praise God just as I am

Praise God just as I am

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

Gracious God,

You remind us that we are not called to serve ourselves, but to serve one another through love. As we gather now in fellowship, bless this time together. Bless the food we share, the conversations we enjoy, and the relationships that grow stronger in this community.

May our fellowship reflect the spirit of Christ, who knelt to serve his friends. Teach us to care for one another in kindness and joy.
Amen.

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)