AUGUST 23, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP

 

THE FIRST WORD Worship Leader

Worship Leader: 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 Worship Leader

 

Opening Prayer Worship Leader

Almighty God, we thank You for gathering us together in worship today. Quiet our hearts, open our minds, and prepare us to hear Your Word and respond to Your grace. May everything we say, sing, and do bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Worship Leader

 

PRELUDE Dr. Troy Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Worship Leader

Faithful and everlasting God, You are the Rock from which we have been hewn and the One who has called Your people through every generation. As You comforted Zion and filled her with hope, comfort us with Your presence today. Lift our eyes beyond the worries of this world to Your eternal promises, and remind us that while all things around us may pass away, Your salvation endures forever and Your righteousness will never fail. Shape our hearts through this time of worship and send us into the world as people who reflect Your compassion and courage. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

**CALL TO WORSHIP Worship Leader & Choir

Leader: If the Lord had not been on our side, where would we be?

People: Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Choir (#127): Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore, feed me now and evermore.

Leader: When fear surrounded us, the Lord was our refuge. When the waters rose against us, the Lord held us fast.

People: We give thanks to God, who has not abandoned His people but remains faithful through every generation.

Choir (#127): Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, ever be my strength and shield, ever be my strength and shield.

Leader: Come, let us worship the God who rescues, protects, and delivers His children.

People: With grateful hearts, we lift our voices in praise!

Choir (#127): Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever sing to you, I will ever sing to you.

**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.

 

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 Worship Leader

Gracious God, You have blessed us with the gift of knowing Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. As we bring our gifts before You, may they help build Your church and share the hope of Christ with our community and our world. Bless these offerings and use them for Your purposes. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Megan Cooke/Youth

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Worship Leader

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE Worship Leader

Holy and Faithful God,

 

We come before You today as travelers on a journey, grateful that we do not walk alone. You have guided us through uncertain places, provided for us in times of need, and sustained us when our strength has failed. Like Your people wandering through the wilderness, we depend upon You for the bread that nourishes us and the living water that restores our souls. We pause now to give thanks for the blessings among us and lift before You [JOYS, JOYS, JOYS]…

 

At the same time, Lord, we know that the journey can be difficult. Some among us are walking through grief, illness, loneliness, uncertainty, or fear. We pray for those in our community and throughout the world who are searching for safety, healing, peace, and hope. Hear the concerns we place before You today, especially [CONCERNS, CONCERNS, CONCERNS]…

 

Guide us, O great Jehovah, through the wilderness before us. When we are weak, be our strength. When we are uncertain, lead us forward. When we are afraid, remind us that Your presence goes with us. Feed us with the bread of heaven, refresh us with the living water of Your grace, and help us trust You one step at a time. Lead us faithfully until we reach the places You are calling us to go, and make our lives signs of Your love and hope along the way.

 

We pray all these things in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray, saying…

 

LORD’S PRAYER Worship Leader/Congregation

 

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 16:13-20 NRSV Worship Leader

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 

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14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

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15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

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16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 

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17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 

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18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 

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19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 

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20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.,

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Worship Leader

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Troy Banks

 

SERMON “But What About You?” Rev. Karen Sadvari

 

**UMH HYMN #399 “Take My Life, and Let it Be”

VERSE 1

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

 

VERSE 2

Take my hands, and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love;

Take my feet, and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

 

VERSE 3

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only, for my King;

Take my lips, and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. Thank You for this food and for our church family. As we share this meal, help us to love one another, be kind to everyone we meet, and follow You wherever You lead us. Guide us this week and keep us safe in Your care. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Karen Sadvari

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)