August 8, 2026

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE

PRELUDE                                              “Shall We Gather at the River”                           arr.  Greg Howlett

WELCOME                                                                    Rev. Trip Porch

One: This is the day that the Lord has made

All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                           

One: We come this morning
Many: with the days we have been given.

One: We come because we were carried here by others,

Many: by the faith of those who ran before us and would not quit.

One: We come, and we are not alone.

Many: The One who has always stood beside us is standing here now.

One: So let us worship the God who holds us
Many: from our beginning to the very end. 

*HYMN 375                             “Shall We Gather at the River”                                              HANSON PLACE

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                

God who stays, God who remains, we spend so much of our lives building the wrong list of virtues. We chase what looks impressive. We measure ourselves by what we finish and what we own, and we let the things that matter most go untended. We are slow to love the people right in front of us. We drift when you have given us a race to run. We forget that we are already held, and we wear ourselves out trying to earn what you freely give.

Forgive us. Turn us back toward the life you meant for us, and remind us that we have never once been alone. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON                                                      

*RESPONSE OF PARDON 582 “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me” GLORY TO GOD

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                                               

     One: The peace of Christ be with you!

     All:      And also with you.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

MUSICAL OFFERING                                “Come Thou Fount”                                   American Hymn Tune

                                                                                                                                                                           arr. Craig Courtney

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE                                                                    Dorothy Kyle

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION                                                                   

SCRIPTURE    2 Timothy 3:14—4:8, 16-18  CEB

 But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you.  Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus.  Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character,  so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.

I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom.  Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.  There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered.  They will turn their back on the truth and turn to myths.  But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances. Endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the good news, and carry out your service fully.

 I’m already being poured out like a sacrifice to God, and the time of my death is near.  I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At last the champion’s wreath that is awarded for righteousness  is waiting for me. The Lord, who is the righteous  judge, is going to give it to me on that day. He’s giving it not only to me but also to all those who have set their heart on waiting for his appearance.

One: Holy wisdom, Holy Word,

All: Thanks be to God

SERMON                                                                               Rev. Trip Porch

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN 376                                             “When All is Ended”                                                       YOGANANDA

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  followed by the Lord’s Prayer using debts and debtors.

TIME OF OFFERING   online giving is available at  www. indianolapres.org/give

OFFERTORY                                                        “Reflection”                                                                     Mark Hayes

                                                                                                                                                                                                     arr. Marvin Gaspard

*OFFERTORY RESPONSE  709              “God, We Honor You”                                   ABUNDANT BLESSINGS

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

Generous God, everything we have was first handed to us by you.

We give it back now, gladly, so that it can be carried to someone else.

Take these gifts, and take our lives, and keep them running toward you.

*HYMN 846                                    “Fight the Good Fight”                                                          DUKE STREET

TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING

CHARGE & BENEDICTION                                                                                                 

POSTLUDE                                 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”                 arr. Vicki Tucker Courtney

 Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452