March 8, 2026 Order of Worship
Hear Us, O Mighty Lord (setting by Jeanne Demessieux) – Geoffrey Liu
Welcome – Terry Bolender
Opening Prayer – Margaret Harto
Leader: Holy Spirit of God, Spirit of Jesus, Spirit of Truth, teach me to learn from you.
People: Inspire me to practice following You each day with mercy and justice and humility.
Leader: Abba, drill me in the way of discipleship.
People: As You teach me your ways, fill me with wisdom-of-heart.
Leader: As I practice, Lord, flood me with Your caring and compassion.
People: As You drill me, shape me to be gentle and kind.
Leader: I want to be ready, Lord, in every moment, in every way, with every skill
People: To love and serve!
Leader: To bless and raise up!
All: In the name of Christ Jesus, and for his coming kingdom’s sake, we pray. Amen!
In Christ Alone – W&S #3105
Time with Young Disciples – Stephanie McIlwain Miller
I Will Serve the Lord All My Days – Sanctuary Choir
Scripture Readings – Margaret Harto
Introduction to the First Reading: Romans is one of the longest and most important of the Apostle Paul’s writings. After his radical encounter with the risen Jesus, Paul gave his life to be an apostle and a missionary to the non-Jewish world. In Romans 12, Paul challenges us to submit to a spiritual training program that will change everything about our lives. Here’s what Paul says…
Romans 12:1-3
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Introduction to the Second Reading: Timothy was a young man devoted to Jesus whom Paul mentored and coached in his faith. Our second reading is from Paul’s letter to Timothy who was instructing the church at Ephesus. The main message: what a church believes directly shapes how it lives and behaves. In 1 Timothy 4:7b-15, Paul emphasizes our ongoing and intentional training as followers of Jesus…
1 Timothy 4:7b-15
Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Stacking Godly Habits – Pastor Jim
Have Thine Own Way, Lord – UMH #382 vss. 1, 2 & 4
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Offering Our Gifts to God – Be Thou My Vision (arr. Dan R Edwards) – Handbells
Doxology – Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow, UMH #94
Prayer of Dedication
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.
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling – UMH #384
Blessing
Symphony in B-Flat (Nicholas Lebegue, trans. by Joseph Bonnet) – Geoffrey Liu
Resources for Worship
Opening Prayer is by Jim Head-Corliss for worship at Kent UMC, March 8, 2026.