We Welcome You!

Order of Service for Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:30 AM

Prelude (played by Kathleen Jones)

Welcome and Call to Worship

Hymn: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” (Presbyterian Hymnal #142)

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Assurance of Pardon 

Song of Praise: “Majesty” (Lift Up Your Hearts #46) 

We Greet One Another

Choir Anthem: “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” arranged by John Coates, Jr. (directed by Carol Fassbender)

Scripture Readings

Acts 1:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Ephesians 1:15-23 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Sermon (Gale Watkins, Pastor)

Hymn: “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” (Presbyterian Hymnal #155)

A Time of Prayer

Answers to Prayer and Prayer Requests

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

The Lord’s Prayer 

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; 

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offertory 

Doxology 

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

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Great and mighty God,

we praise you that Christ has ascended to rule at your right hand.

We rejoice before the throne of his power and peace,

for he has put down tyrannies that would destroy us,

and unmasked idols claiming our allegiance.

We thank you that he alone is Lord of our lives.

By your Spirit, give us freedom to love with his love,

and to embrace the world with his compassion.

Accept the offering of our lives,

that we may obey your commands to serve

in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Hymn: “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!” (Presbyterian Hymnal #144)

Benediction

Postlude (Kathleen Jones)

Today: Coffee hour in Fellowship Hall after worship.

This week:

Monday, May 18  Prayer in the Lounge at 3:00 PM

Thursday, May 21  Choir practice in the Choir Room at 7:00 PM

Sunday, May 24  Class in the Lounge at 9:15 AM   

Worship in the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM, followed by coffee hour in Fellowship Hall

Looking ahead: On Sunday, June 7, our Sunday morning schedule will change, with class beginning at 9:45 AM, worship beginning at 11:00 AM, followed by coffee hour at 12:00 Noon. This will prepare us for the arrival of Pastor Daniel Albertson at the beginning of July, so that he can lead worship with Heritage Presbyterian Church at 9:00 AM, then with Westminster at 11:00 AM.