Living in Hope - “Paul’s Sermon at Athens
Sunday, May 3, 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 The Heart of Worship Celebration Ringers
Lighting of the Altar Candles
Call to Worship (Clergy Stuff)
LEADER: No one has ever seen God.
ALL: But in Jesus, God is made known to us.
LEADER: God’s has given us grace upon grace.
ALL: Praise God for God’s grace and mercy.
Opening Prayer (Clergy Stuff)
ALL: God of all, You are present in all places and in all peoples, and the gospel story is spoken in every language. Open our hearts and minds to traditions different than our own, that we might learn from them, grow toward you, and become one unified Body of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
*Opening Song Just a Closer Walk with Thee TFWS 2158
1. I am weak,
but thou art strong;
Jesus keep me
from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
as I walk,
let me walk close to thee.
Refrain
Just a closer walk
with thee,
grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
daily walking close to thee:
Let it be, dear Lord,
let it be.
2. Through this world
of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me
my burden shares?
None but thee,
dear Lord, none but thee.
Refrain
Just a closer walk
with thee,
grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
daily walking close to thee:
Let it be, dear Lord,
let it be.
3. When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me
will be no more;
guide me gently,
safely o’er
to thy shore,
dear Lord, to thy shore.
Refrain
Just a closer walk
with thee,
grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
daily walking close to thee:
Let it be, dear Lord,
let it be.
LISTENING
Scripture Reading Acts 17:16-31
This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Message for All Ages Paula Pfeifer
Sermon “Paul’s Sermon at Athens” Rev. Dr. Eliezer Valentín-Castañón
RESPONDING
*Sermon Song Near to the Heart of God UMH 472
- There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God;
a place where sin
cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
Refrain
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.
- There is a place
of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God;
a place where we
our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.
Refrain
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.
- There is a place
of full release,
near to the heart of God;
a place where all
is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.
Refrain
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.
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Prayers of the People |
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God of new life, hear our prayer.
Offertory May the Peace of the Lord Chancel Choir
*Offering Response Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH 94)
*Prayer of Dedication (Clergy Stuff)
ALL: Gracious God, you created all things, and out of your fullness, you have showered us with all that we need. Accept now these gifts, returned to you in joy and gratitude. Bless and use them for your holy work, that all the world might know your boundless love. Amen.
Communion Sung Response UMH Setting A, Page 17
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
...
It is right, and a good and joyful thing …
… And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest! Blest is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest! ...
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ…
… And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,…
… All honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever.
...
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.
Sung: Amen, Amen, Amen.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
Amen, amen, amen
Sharing the Bread and Cup
All are welcome to come forward to receive communion. We are serving Gluten free bread and juice or prepackaged Gluten free wafer and juice. The ushers will invite you forward. If you would like to receive Communion at your seat, let the ushers know.
SENDING
*Closing Song Blessed Assurance UMH 369
1. Blessed assurance,
Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste
of glory divine!
Heir of salvation,
purchase of God,
born of his Spirit,
washed in his blood.
Refrain
This is my story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior
all the day long;
this is my story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior
all the day long.
2. Perfect submission,
perfect delight,
visions of rapture
now burst on my sight;
angels descending
bring from above
echoes of mercy,
whispers of love.
Refrain
This is my story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior
all the day long;
this is my story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior
all the day long.
3. Perfect submission,
all is at rest;
I in my Savior
am happy and blest,
watching and waiting,
looking above,
filled with his goodness,
lost in his love.
Refrain
This is my story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior
all the day long;
this is my story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior
all the day long.
*Benediction
Benediction Response
Postlude Craig Nickerson, Organist
Next Week
Living in Hope - “Partnership in the Gospel”
May 10, 2026 Philippians 1:1-18a
JOIN THE PRAYER GROUP on May 31 after worship for our prayer vigil for peace.
BACKPACK BUDDIES: May’s food items are Fruit Cups and Cheese Cracker Sandwiches, or any item listed on the shopping list. If you find it difficult to shop, you may send a monetary donation to the church or place your donation in the offering plate on any Sunday. Please mark your gift, “Backpack Buddies”.
This Week at Arnolia
- Tuesday, May 5: 8:30 – 11:30 AM Thrift Store accepting donations
- Tuesday, May 5:: 12 Noon Pastor’s Study
- Tuesday, May 5:: 6:30 PM Bible Study
- Thursday, May 7: 10 AM – 2 PM Thrift Store Open
- Friday, May 8: Pastor’s Sabbath – Church Office Closed
- Saturday, May 9: 10 AM - 2 PM Thrift Store Ope
- Sunday, May 10 AM: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
- Sunday, May 10 AM: Worship Service
Copywrite
The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman, © 1999 Thankyou Music Ltd - Rejuvenate - CCLI #2296522
Used by Permission. CCLI Church Copyright License Number: 1684333 and Streaming License Number: 20155039
Just a Closer Walk with Thee, TFWS 2158, Public Domain
Near to the Heart of God, UMH 472, Public Domain
Blessed Assurance, UMH 369, Public Domain
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