SEPT 13, 2026 ORDER OF WORSHIP
THE FIRST WORD Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
Pastor: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise
People: Give thanks to him and praise his name!
WELCOME Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
MINISTRY MOMENT Witness Team, chair: Robin Black
PRELUDE Dr. Troy Banks
INVOCATION (Remain Seated) Liturgist
Almighty and victorious God,
Today we come to sing to You, for You have triumphed gloriously. You are our strength and our might, and You have become our salvation. You are our God, and we praise You; You are the God of our fathers and mothers in the faith, and we exalt Your holy name.
There is none like You, O Lord. You are majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, and doing wonders. Your mighty hand has delivered Your people throughout every generation, making a way where there seemed to be no way and proving Your power over every enemy and every fear.
We gather today to worship You with thankful hearts. Fill this place with Your presence, strengthen our faith, and remind us of Your faithfulness as we lift our songs, our prayers, and our lives to You.
For You alone are worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.
**CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist
Leader: When Israel left Egypt, The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
Congregation: Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?
Leader: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.
**WORSHIP SONG “Way Maker” Leeland
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 Matthew 18:21-22 Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
--
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
JOYS AND CONCERNS Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING Exodus 14:19–31 NRSV Liturgist
19 The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them.
--
20 It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
--
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
--
22 The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
--
23 The Egyptians pursued and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers.
--
24 At the morning watch the Lord, in the pillar of fire and cloud, looked down on the Egyptian army and threw the Egyptian army into a panic.
--
25 He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
--
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.”
--
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea.
--
28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained.
--
29 But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
--
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
--
31 Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE Liturgist
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC Dr. Troy Banks
SERMON “Fear Has Short-Term Memory” Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
**UMH HYMN #382 “Have Thine Own Way Lord”
Verse 1
Have Thine own way Lord
have Thine own way
Thou art the Potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still
Verse 2
Have Thine own way Lord
have Thine own way
Search me and try me Savior today
Wash me just now Lord wash me just now
As in Thy presence humbly I bow
Verse 3
Have Thine own way Lord
have Thine own way
Wounded and weary help me I pray
Power all power surely is Thine
Touch me and heal me Savior divine
Verse 4
Have Thine own way Lord
have Thine own way
Hold o'er my being absolute sway
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only always living in me
FELLOWSHIP BLESSING Youth Representative
Gracious God, we bless Your holy name and thank You for all You have done. As we share this meal and this fellowship, fill our hearts with gratitude, kindness, and joy. May we remember Your steadfast love and extend that same love to one another. Bless this food and all who share it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
**BENEDICTION Rev. Jacob T. Jackson
POSTLUDE Dr. Troy Banks
(Please be seated as the postlude closes our service)