AUGUST 16, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

THE FIRST WORD Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

Pastor: If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.

People: As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!

 

WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

PRELUDE Dr. Troy Banks

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist
How very good and pleasant it is when we live together in unity! It is like precious oil running down your head. It is like the dew which falls in the morning. The LORD our God has ordained our blessing, our blessing of life forevermore.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: May God be gracious to us and bless us 

People: Make your face shine upon us, Oh God

 

Leader: Let your way may be known upon earth, 

People: Let your saving power be known among all nations.

 

Leader: Let the peoples praise you, O God

People: Let all the peoples praise you.

 

Leader: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy

People: You judge all with equity and guide us all.

 

Leader: Let the peoples praise you, O God

People: Let all the peoples praise you.

 

Leader: The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.

People: May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.

 

**UMH HYMN #191 “Jesus Loves Me”

Jesus loves me! This I know, 

for the bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong; 

they are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes Jesus loves me! 

 

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know, 

as he loved so long ago.

Taking children on his knee, 

saying, “Let them come to me.”

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes Jesus loves me! 

 

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me still today, 

walking with me on my way,

Wanting as a friend to give 

light and love to all who live.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes Jesus loves me! 

The Bible tells me so.

 

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 15:26-27

26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 

--

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 NRSV Liturgist

1Thus says the Lord: 

Maintain justice, and do what is right, 

for soon my salvation will come 

and my deliverance be revealed.

 

6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, 

to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, 

and to be his servants, 

all who keep the Sabbath and do not profane it 

and hold fast my covenant— 

 

7 these I will bring to my holy mountain 

and make them joyful in my house of prayer; 

their burnt offerings and their sacrifices 

will be accepted on my altar, 

for my house shall be called a house of prayer 

for all peoples. 

 

8 Thus says the Lord God, 

who gathers the outcasts of Israel: 

I will gather others to them 

besides those already gathered.,

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Troy Banks

 

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 15:10-28 NRSV Pastor

10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 

 

11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 

 

12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 

 

13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 

 

14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 

 

15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 

16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 

 

17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? 

 

18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 

 

19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 

 

20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” 

 

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 

 

22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 

 

23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 

 

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

 

25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

 

26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 

 

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 

28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Pastor

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SERMON “Who Belongs in Church?” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**TFWS HYMN #2025 “As The Deer”

As the deer panteth 

for the water

So my soul longeth 

after thee

You alone are my 

hearts desire

And I long to 

worship thee

 

You alone are my 

strength, my shield

To You alone may my 

spirit yield

You alone are my 

hearts desire

And I long to 

worship thee

 

You're my friend and 

You are my brother,

Even though 

you are a king.

I love you more than 

any other,

So much more 

than anything.

You alone are my 

strength, my shield

To You alone may 

my spirit yield

You alone are my 

hearts desire

And I long to 

worship thee

 

I want You more 

than gold or silver,

Only You can satisfy.

You alone are the 

real joy Giver,

And the apple 

of my eye.

You alone are my 

strength, my shield

To You alone may 

my spirit yield

You alone are 

my hearts desire

And I long to 

worship thee

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming each of us into Your family through Your amazing grace. As we gather around the fellowship hall tables, remind us that Your kingdom always has room for one more. Bless our food and our conversations this day. May those who join us today leave knowing they are seen, valued, and loved, and may we go from this place ready to invite others into the hope and joy we have found in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)