AUGUST 9, 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

 

MISSION MOMENT Child Advocacy Center

 

PRELUDE Dr. Troy Banks

 

INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist

Gracious God, as You called Peter to step out of the boat and trust You, call us today to place our faith in You above our fears. Remind us that Your presence is always greater than the waves around us. As we worship today, draw us closer to You and fill us with the peace that comes from trusting in Your unfailing love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist

Leader: Come, let us give thanks to the Lord and remember His wonderful works.

People: We worship the God who is faithful in every generation.

Leader: When Joseph's path led through betrayal, slavery, and prison, God was still writing a story of hope.

People: When we cannot see the ending, we trust the Author of our lives.

Leader: God's faithfulness endures through every chapter, and His promises never fail.

People: We come to praise the God who is always at work, leading His people with wisdom, grace, and love.

 

**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.

CHORUS

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.

CHORUS

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.

CHORUS

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.

CHORUS

On Christ, 

the Solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground 

is sinking sand,

All other ground 

is sinking sand.

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 14:28-31

28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

--

29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 

--

30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

--

31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

 

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b NRSV Liturgist

1 O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; 

make known his deeds among the peoples. 

 

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; 

tell of all his wonderful works. 

 

3 Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 

 

4 Seek the Lord and his strength; 

seek his presence continually. 

 

5 Remember the wonderful works he has done, 

his miracles and the judgments he has uttered, 

 

6 O offspring of his servant Abraham, 

children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

 

16 When he summoned famine against the land 

and cut off every supply of bread,, 

 

17 he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who had been sold as a slave. 

 

18 His feet were hurt with fetters; 

his neck was put in a collar of iron; 

 

19 until what he had said came to pass, 

the word of the Lord kept testing him. 

 

20 The king sent and released him; 

the ruler of the peoples set him free. 

 

21 He made him lord of his house 

and ruler of all his possessions, 

 

22 to instruct his officials at his pleasure 

and to teach his elders wisdom.

 

45 that they might keep his statutes 

and observe his laws. 

Praise the Lord!

 

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 Romans 10:5-15 NRSV PASTOR

5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 

 

6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 

 

7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 

 

8 But what does it say? 

“The word is near you, 

in your mouth and in your heart” 

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), 

 

9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

 

10 For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation. 

 

11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 

 

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 

 

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

 

14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 

 

15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

 

RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Pastor

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

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

 

SERMON “God the Storyteller” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

**UMH HYMN #378 “Amazing Grace”

Verse 1

Amazing grace 

how sweet the sound

That saved 

a wretch like me

I once was lost 

but now am found

Was blind but now I see

 

Verse 2

'Twas grace that taught 

my heart to fear

And grace 

my fears relieved

How precious 

did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

 

Verse 3

Through many dangers 

toils and snares

I have already come

'Tis grace has brought 

me safe thus far

And grace 

will lead me home

 

Verse 4

The Lord has promised 

good to me

his word my hope secures

he will my shield 

and portion be

as long as life endures

 

Verse 5

Yea when this flesh 

and heart shall fail

and moral life shall cease

I shall possess 

within the veil

a life of joy and peace

 

Verse 6

When we've been there 

ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun

We've no less days 

to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist

 

FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative

 

Gracious God, we thank You for the amazing grace that has found us, forgiven us, and continues to lead us each day. As we share fellowship time together, may we see Your grace reflected in every smile. Bless our food, those who prepared it, and all who gather here, that we may leave encouraged to share your amazing grace with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson

 

POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks

(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)