MAY 31, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

PRELUDE Dr. Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

 

Holy God,

you are not bound by borders or governed by human authority.

Your kingdom is not built by force,

nor sustained by power as the world understands it.

 

As we gather today,

we confess that your church has not always walked faithfully.

At times, we have sought influence over integrity,

power over humility,

comfort over courage.

 

Shape us into a people who reflect your justice,

your mercy, and your love—

not just in word, but in how we live.

 

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,

whose kingdom is not of this world. Amen.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

 

Leader: Throughout history, powers have risen and fallen, and the people of God have not always been faithful.

People: Yet God remains steady, just, merciful, and true.

Leader: When we have trusted in earthly power more than in God,

People: God has called us back to faithfulness.

Leader: When we have been silent in the face of injustice,

People: God has stirred our hearts to speak and act.

Leader: Come, let us worship the One who calls us beyond fear, beyond power, and into truth.

All: We come to worship God alone. Amen.

 

**UMH HYMN #382 “Have Thine Own Way Lord”

Verse 1

Have Thine own way Lord 

have Thine own way

Thou art the Potter I am the clay

Mold me and make me after Thy will

While I am waiting yielded and still

 

Verse 2

Have Thine own way Lord 

have Thine own way

Search me and try me Savior today

Wash me just now Lord wash me just now 

As in Thy presence humbly I bow

 

Verse 3

Have Thine own way Lord 

have Thine own way

Wounded and weary help me I pray

Power all power surely is Thine

Touch me and heal me Savior divine

 

Verse 4

Have Thine own way Lord 

have Thine own way

Hold o'er my being absolute sway

Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see

Christ only always living in me

 

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

Matthew 11:1-6

When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. 

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2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 

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3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 

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4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—

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5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 

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6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Mark 12:13–17 NRSV Liturgist

13 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 

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14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 

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15 Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” 

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16 And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose title?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” 

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17 Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

 

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 John 18:33–37 NRSV Liturgist

33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 

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34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 

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35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 

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36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 

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37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SERMON “Church & State” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #368 “My Hope Is Built”

VERSE 1

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I  stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

 

VERSE 2

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In ev’ry high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

 

VERSE 3

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

 

VERSE 4

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Gracious God,

As we continue in fellowship,

remind us that your kingdom is found not in power and control, but in love and service.

 

Bless our conversations, strengthen our relationships, and help us to be a people who reflect Christ in how we care for one another.

 

Nourish our bodies and our spirits, and send us out to live faithfully in the world you love.

 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)