AUGUST 2, 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

 

PRELUDE Dr. Troy Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Gracious and faithful God, we come before You with open hearts, trusting in Your unfailing love. Hear our prayers, guide our thoughts, and keep us close to You this day. As we worship, reveal Yourself to us, strengthen our faith, and remind us that Your presence is our greatest blessing. May we leave this place renewed by Your grace and eager to reflect Your love in the world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: Come, let us gather before the God who meets us in every season of life.

People: We come seeking the One who never leaves us, even in the darkest night.

 

Leader: When we are afraid, God is our strength.

People: When we struggle, God is shaping us by His grace.

 

Leader: Though the night may be long, God's mercy is new with the morning.

People: We come to worship the God who blesses, transforms, and leads us into a new day.

All: Let us worship the Lord!

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

Verse 1

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

 

Verse 2

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

Till 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

 

Verse 3

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

 

Verse 4

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 14:20

20 And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Genesis 32:22-31NRSV Liturgist

22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 

 

23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 

 

24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 

 

25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 

 

26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 

 

27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 

 

28 Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.” 

 

29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 

 

30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” 

 

31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Troy Banks

 

SERMON “‘Twas the Night Before…” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #526 “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”

VERSE 1

What a Friend 

we have in Jesus,

All our sins and 

griefs to bear;

What a privilege

 to carry

Ev’rything to 

God in prayer.

--

O what peace 

we often forfeit,

O what needless 

pain we bear,

All because 

we do not carry

Ev’rything to 

God in prayer.

 

VERSE 2

Have we trials 

and temptations?

Is there 

trouble anywhere?

We should never 

be discouraged,

Take it to the 

Lord in prayer.

--

Can we find a 

friend so faithful,

Who will all our 

sorrows share?

Jesus knows our 

ev’ry weakness;

Take it to the 

Lord in prayer.

 

VERSE 3

Are we weak and 

heavy-laden,

Cumbered with 

a load of care?

Precious Savior, 

still our refuge,

Take it to the 

Lord in prayer.

--

Do thy friends despise, 

forsake thee?

Take it to the 

Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll 

take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find 

a solace there.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Thank you, God, for our time of worship together. As we gather for fellowship, may we remember the generous invitation of God, who freely offers grace, joy, and living water. May the food we share nourish our bodies, the conversations we share encourage one another, and our time shared together remind us that God's gifts are always more than enough. Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)