(Image: “Peter with Keys”, Anonymous, Relief Sculpture Cebu City, Philippines, Santo Niño Basilica)
©Order of Worship for Sunday August 23, 2026
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here Link (Link opens in a new window)
Prelude:……………….“Upon This Rock”………………….Greg D.
Words: Gloria Gaither Music: Dony McGuire, © 1982, 1990
Gaither Music Company and Communiquie Music.
Coming of the Light:………………………………………….
Greetings:……………………………………..…Pastor Liz
Announcements:………………………………………..Lorri B.
Call to Worship:…………………………………………Congregation
Holy spirit, You are welcome here
come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
to be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Opening Prayer: ……………………………….…Phillip J.
O God, you have built your Church
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.
Save the community of your people
from the cowardly surrender to the world,
from the rendering unto Caesar what belongs to you,
and from forgetting the eternal gospel
amid the temporal pressures of our troubled days.
For the unity of the Church we pray,
and for fellowship across the embittered lines of race and nation;
to growth in grace, building in love, enlargement in service,
increase in wisdom, faith, charity, and power,
we dedicate our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Opening Hymns: “My Hope Is Built” #368 UMH
Words: Edward Mote, 1834, Music: William B. Bradbury, 1863
1. My hope is built on nothing less than
Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the
sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is
sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils his lovely face, I
rest on his unchanging grace; in ev’ry high and
stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is
sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood support
me in the whelming flood. When all around my
soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is
sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound, O
may I then in him be found! Dressed in His righteous-
ness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is
sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
“Walk with Me” #2242 TFWS
Words and Music: John S. Rice © 1988 The Estate of John S. Rice
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
1. When Moses heard the call of God he said, “Lord, don’t
send me.” But God told Moses, “You’re the one to set
my people free.”
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
2. Now Peter was a most unlikely man to lead the flock;
but Jesus knew his holiness and he became the Rock.
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
3. Young Mary Magdalene was sure her life could be much
more, and by her faith she dared to let God’s love unlock
the door.
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
4. And when you share your faith with me and work for
life made new, the witness of your faithfulness calls
me to walk with you.
Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the
land that God has planned where love shines through.
Passing of the Peace:…………………………………Pastor Liz
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri: Glory Be to the Father……………#71 UMH
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Blessing of the Students, Teachers and Staff….……Pastor Liz
Holy God, Wisdom of the Ages, thank you for the gift of education. Thank you for making us a thinking people and for the blessings of curiosity and discovery. Draw us to you as we study the wonders of your world.
Comforting One, bring peace to all who are feeling anxious about the first days of school. Fill them with confidence and encouragement. Ease their concerns with your presence and rest.
Loving God, your joy is our strength. Fill classrooms and administrative offices with delight and hope. Replace fatigue, frustration, and fear with gladness and excitement. Help educators, students, and parents to see you at work and welcome you.
Generous One, every good and perfect gift comes from you. Open the windows of heaven for every school in our community. For every school in the world. Supply every need for compensation, resources, personnel, and meeting space. Provide strength, wisdom, and grace for physical needs and emotional needs. Show us how we can help.
Prince of Peace, cover every school campus with your shalom. Make them safe sanctuaries of learning and growth. Guard hearts, minds, and bodies against every type of evil. Break down every dividing wall. Bring an end to bullying, abuse, discrimination, prejudice, and violence. Amen.
Giving of our tithes and offerings ………………………Pastor Liz
You can do this with no fee through your bank’s online bill pay option. It is easy to set up for automatic monthly giving. Or, you can use this link: Online Giving
Offertory: “Many Gifts, One Spirit” #114 UMH………..Greg D.
Words and Music: Al Carmines, © 1974 Al Carmines
1. God of change and glory, God of time and space,
when we fear the future, give to us your grace.
In the midst of changing ways give us still the grace to praise.
Refrain
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise one Giver,
one Lord, one Spirit, one Word known in many ways,
hallowing our days. For the Giver, for the gifts, praise,
praise, praise!
2. God of many colors, God of many signs,
you have made us different, blessing many kinds.
As the old ways disappear, let your love cast out our fear.
Refrain
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise one Giver,
one Lord, one Spirit, one Word known in many ways,
hallowing our days. For the Giver, for the gifts, praise,
praise, praise!
3. Freshness of the morning, newness of each night,
you are still creating endless love and light.
This we see, as shadows part, many gifts from one great heart.
Refrain
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise one Giver,
one Lord, one Spirit, one Word known in many ways,
hallowing our days. For the Giver, for the gifts, praise,
praise, praise!
Offertory Response:
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #95
The United Methodist Hymnal
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674 Music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer After Receiving:……………………………..Pastor Liz
Prayers of the People:……………………………….Pastor Liz
The Lord’s Prayer:
Gospel Lesson:………..Matthew 16:13-20…………Phillip J.
The profession of Peter’s faith
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Hymn of Preparation: “Here I Am, Lord” #593 UMH
© 1981, 1983, 1989 Daniel L. Schutte and NALR
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I have made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.”
Sermon:…………………………………………………..Pastor Liz
Response to the Word:
Closing Hymn: “Christ for the World We Sing” #568 UMH
Words: Samuel Wolcott, 1869 Music: Felice de Giardinini, 1769
1. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with loving zeal; the poor, and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne, sinsick and sorrow worn,
whom Christ doth heal.
2. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with fervent prayer; the wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed, redeemed at countless
cost, from dark despair.
3. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with one accord; with us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare, with us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.
4. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with joyful song; the newborn souls, whose days,
reclaimed from error’s ways, inspired with hope and
praise, to Christ belong.
Dismissal with Blessing:…………………………..Pastor Liz
Postlude:…………………………………………………..Greg D.
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Sunday August 23rd Worship Service