May 3, 2026 Order of Worship

His Eye is on the Sparrow (arranged by Jack Schrader) – Janice Moen

Welcome – Stephanie McIlwain Miller

Opening Prayer – Adri Walt

Leader: Lord God, some of us have come here this morning desolate and deflated.

People: Some of us have come joyful and thankful!

Leader: But all of us are lucky that worship is where we’ve landed this morning!

People: Because worship is what we all need!

Leader: In your presence, Lord, is where we’ll find what we hunger for and most need.

People: In your presence, Lord, we find our voice for gratitude and prayer and praise.

Leader: Send your personal presence here today. Flow through this place, through our worship, through our lives!

People: Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Leader: Let the word of Christ, the wisdom of God, the peace of Jesus, and the Good News of your saving love be always on our lips!

People: Whatever we do in word or deed, we do it to share the Good News with our neighbors and strangers everywhere!

Leader: Jesus is our All-in-All!

All: In his name and for his coming kingdom’s sake, we pray. Amen.

For Those Tears I Died – Brian Grassley

Time with Young Disciples – Stephanie McIlwain Miller

If You Love Me – Sanctuary Choir

Scripture Readings – Adri Walt

Introduction to the Epistle Reading: For the Apostle Paul, sharing the good news of God’s saving love in Jesus was his first priority for himself and his essential instruction for the vitality and growth of the church. In both our scripture readings today, Paul reminds us – if Jesus will be known in this world, it’s up to us to tell others about him. Our first reading is from Colossians 4:2-6…

Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Romans 10:13-15a and 17

Our second reading emphasizes our role in telling others about Jesus.  It comes from Romans 10:13-15a and 17. Here’s what Paul wrote…

Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

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 Jesus? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? …

Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Jesus Christ.

Use Your Words – EJ Ragual – Youth Leader

I Love to Tell the Story – UMH #156

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

Offering Our Gifts to God – Improvisations on Precious Lord – Janice Moen

Doxology – With Grateful Hearts, sung to the tune of The Gift of Love, UMH #408

Prayer of Dedication – EJ Ragual

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.

We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations – UMH #569

Blessing – EJ Ragual

Sending Music – Alec Manullang

Resources for Worship

Opening Prayer is by Jim Head-Corliss for worship at Kent UMC, May 3, 2026.