Sunday, August 16 Bulletin

Rooted in Christ to Love Boldly
“Tell the Whole Truth, Part 2”

Sunday, August 16, 2026

*Please stand in body or in spirit. Congregational responses are in bold and preceded by "All"

GATHERING

Welcome and Announcements

Invitation and Sharing of Peace

Peace be with you. And also with you.

Prelude Craig Nickerson, Organist

Call to Worship

One: Siblings in Christ, through the waters of baptism we are claimed, washed clean,
and called.
Many: We come to remember who we are and whose we are.
One: We are invited to accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
Many: We come seeking courage to choose love, justice, and grace.
One: Let us worship the God who claims us, redeems us, and sends us forth in love.
Many: With joy and thanksgiving, we worship God!

Opening Prayer

ALL: Gracious God, you call and gift your people to build up the body of Christ. Unite us in your Spirit as one Church. Guard us from division and guide us in truth. Teach us to speak in love and resist all that is unloving. Equip us to act in your name, and go in your grace. Amen.

*Opening Song They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love TFWS 2223

We are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
we are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
and we pray
that all unity
may one day
be restored:

Refrain

And they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love,
by our love;
yes, they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love.

We will walk
with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
we will walk
with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
and together
we’ll spread the news
that God is
in our land:

Refrain

And they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love,
by our love;
yes, they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love.

We will work
with each other,
we will work side by side,
we will work
with each other,
we will work side by side,
and we’ll guard
human dignity,
and save
human pride:

Refrain

And they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love,
by our love;
yes, they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love.

All praise to the Father,
from whom
all things come,
and all praise to Christ Jesus,
God’s only Son,
and all praise
to the Spirit,
who makes us one:

Refrain

And they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love,
by our love;
yes, they’ll know
we are Christians
by our love.

LISTENING

Scripture Reading Ephesians 4:11-16

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Message for All Ages

Sermon “Tell the Whole Truth, Part 2” Rev. DV Yost

Testimony Carol Tiernan

RESPONDING

*Sermon Song Help Us Accept Each Other UMH 560

Help us accept each other
as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother,
each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us,
and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted
and meant to love and live.
Teach us, O Lord,
your lessons,
as in our daily life
we struggle to be human
and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people,
for all, not just for some,
to love them as we find them,
or as they may become.
Let your acceptance
change us,
so that we may be moved
in living situations
to do the truth in love;
to practice your acceptance,
until we know by heart
the table of forgiveness
and laughter’s healing art.
Lord, for
today’s encounters
with all who are in need,
who hunger for acceptance,
for righteousness and bread.
we need new
eyes for seeing,
new hands for holding on;
renew us with your Spirit;
Lord, free us, make us one!

Prayers of the People
Leader: Loving God, ALL: hear our prayers.

The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken)

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Offertory Craig Nickerson, Organist

*Offering Response Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH 94)

*Prayer of Dedication (enfleshed)
ALL: Almighty Giver of All Good Gifts: Grow in us the wisdom to know that all we have to give is in our hands only because you have given to us first. Remind us that you have called us in Christ to be gentle, patient, and loving – and at one with your children everywhere. May the gifts we have been given and the gifts we share reflect the debt of our gratitude for your many blessings. We pray this in the holy name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

SENDING

*Closing Song Lord, You Give the Great Commission UMH 584

Lord, you give
the great commission:
“Heal the sick
and preach the word.”
Lest the church
neglect its mission,
and the gospel
go unheard,
help us witness
to your purpose
with renewed integrity.

Refrain