JULY 26, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

THE FIRST WORD Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

Pastor: This is the day that the LORD has made.

People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

MINISTRY MOMENT Prayer & Care Team Carole Schauer & Donna Behe

 

PRELUDE Dr. Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Loving God,

We come before You today grateful that we do not worship alone. Your Spirit is with us, helping us in our weakness and interceding for us when words fail. Even when we do not know what to pray, You know our hearts and hear our deepest needs.

As we gather for worship, remind us that You are working for good in ways we cannot always see. Open our ears to hear Your voice, open our minds to receive Your wisdom, and open our hearts to trust Your guidance.

When we are uncertain, give us confidence in Your presence. When we are fearful, remind us that You are for us. When we feel overwhelmed, assure us that nothing can separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus.

Fill this place with Your Spirit and lead us in worship that honors You and transforms us more into the people You have called us to be.

Amen.

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: Happy is everyone who fears the LORD

People: Everyone who walks in his ways.

Leader: You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands

People: We shall be happy, and it shall go well with us.

 

Leader: The LORD bless you. 

People: May we see spiritual prosperity all the days of our life.

 

**WORSHIP SONG “In Christ Alone” Adrienne Camp and Geoff Moore

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

 

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

 

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 13:45-46

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.

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING 1 Kings 3:5-12 NRSV Liturgist

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 

--

6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you, and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 

--

7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 

--

8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 

--

9 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?” 

--

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 

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11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or for the life of your enemies but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 

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12 I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Banks

 

SERMON “A Prayer God Loves to Answer” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #127 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

VERSE 1

Guide me, O 

Thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrim thro’ this barren land;

I am weak, but Thou art mighty,

Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand;

Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,

Feed me till I want no more;

Feed me till I want no more.

 

VERSE 2

Open now the crystal fountain,

Whence the healing 

stream doth flow;

Let the fiery, and cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey thro’;

Strong Deliv’rer, 

Strong Deliv’rer,

Be Thou still my 

strength and shield;

Be Thou still my 

strength and shield.

 

VERSE 3

When I tread the 

verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious 

fears subside;

Death of death 

and hells destruction

Land me safe on Canaan’s side;

Songs of praises, 

Songs of praises,

I will ever give to Thee;

I will ever give to Thee.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this food, for the hands that prepared it, and for the fellowship we are about to share.

Today we have remembered Solomon's prayer for wisdom and how it pleased You when he sought understanding rather than riches or power. Give us wisdom, kindness, and gratitude in our hearts. Help us to listen well, care deeply, and encourage one another in faith.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)