July 26, 2026 Order of Worship
Prelude in Classic Style (Gordon Young) – Geoffrey Liu
Welcome to Worship – Terry Bolender
Opening Prayer – Brad Johnson
Leader: Open my eyes, God, to the smallest details of your goodness.
People: Open my eyes to goodness in my world.
Leader: Open my eyes to goodness in the lives of those I love.
People: Open my eyes to goodness in my own life.
Leader: Let me see you, God, everywhere I look.
People: That I may grow in gratitude.
Leader: That thanksgiving and praise would spill out from my lips.
People: That delight and wonder would flow from the joy that is my life.
Leader: Because I am so blessed, make me a blessing for everyone I meet today.
All: In Jesus’ name and for his coming kingdom’s sake, I pray. Amen!
We, Thy People, Praise Thee – UMH #67
Time with Young Disciples – Stephanie McIlwain Miller
What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Liz Gough
Scripture Reading – Brad Johnson
Introduction to Old Testament Reading
Our first reading this morning comes from the last section of the book of the prophet Isaiah. After honest talk about our sin and the judgement that comes with doing real harm to ourselves and our neighbors, Isaiah reminds us of how much we are loved by God and how great is God’s delight in us. Hear what Isaiah says in chapter 62, verses 3-4…
Isaiah 62:3-4
You shall be a beautiful crown in the hand of the Lord
and a royal diadem that God lifts up high for all to see.
You shall no more feel forsaken or forgotten,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate.
You shall be called My Delight for the Lord your God delights in you.
Introduction to the Gospel Reading
Our second reading comes from the Gospel of Luke. Sometimes called the lost and found parables, in Luke 15, Jesus compares God’s love for us with the joy of a shepherd who finds a lost sheep, the delight of a woman who finds her lost coin, and the famous story of the lost and found prodigal son. While today’s reading stops short of the parable of the prodigal son, keep it in mind as you remember God’s delight in you! Hear now what Jesus says in Luke 15:1-10…
Luke 15:1-10 (NRSVUE)
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Practicing Sabbath – Delight in Wonder – Pastor Jim
Turn Your Eyes – Congregational Singing
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Offering Our Gifts to God – The Gift of Love – Anne Brockett and Erin Hersey
Doxology – Many Gifts, One Spirit, UMH #114, refrain
Prayer of Dedication – Pastor Jim and Congregation
Leader: All that we have, we have from you, Creator and Preserver of all.
People: Accept these gifts which we now offer. Help us to make the whole of life an offering and every thought a prayer.
How Great Thou Art – UMH #77
Blessing – Pastor Jim
Sending Music – Geoffrey Liu
Resources for Worship
Opening Prayer is by Jim Head-Corliss for worship at Kent UMC, July 26, 2026 with images from a prayer by Practicing the Way, https://launch.practicingtheway.or