February 22, 2026

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE

PRELUDE                                                          Improvisation                                                         The Columbus Cultural Orchestra

INTROIT                            "O Worship the Lord"                                      Robert McCutchan

WELCOME                                                                    Rev. Trip Porch

One: This is the day that the Lord has made

All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

*OPENING PRAYER

Holy One, Our Refuge and Shelter, we call out to you,

sometimes in praise, sometimes in distress–as life goes.

Whether we perceive it or not, you are there.

Open us this day to your presence

in the smile of a friend, in the call of a bird–

in the simple and good enough moments that fill our days.

Amen.

*HYMN 414                            “Be Still and Know That I Am God”                                                PSALM 46

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                            Marie Boozer

Gracious God, we confess that we’ve believed the lie that we are not enough. We have exhausted ourselves reaching for MORE…more success, more control, more proof that we matter. We have confused your kingdom with worldly power, thinking influence and authority are how change comes. We have waited for spectacular moments while missing your presence already in our ordinary. We have turned away from the quiet work of faithfulness, wanting instead to be impressive, to be seen, to be special. Forgive us for forgetting that you have already named us beloved. Forgive us for striving when you call us to rest. Remind us that our ordinary lives are already holy, that we are already yours, that your grace is already enough. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON                                                        Rev. Trip Porch

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE 583            “Gloria, Gloria” 2 times                                   GLORIA (TAIZE)

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                                                  

One:   The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

All:      And also with you.  

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

ANTHEM                                "Wondrous Love”                                     arr. Paul Christiansen           

GODLY PLAY 

Musical Response 175              “Seek Ye First”                                                               LAFERTY

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION                                                                  

Scripture      Luke 4: 1-13  The Message

 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.

The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.”

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.”

 For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.”

Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?”

 “Yes,” said Jesus, “and it’s also written, ‘Don’t you dare tempt the Lord your God.’”

That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

One: Holy wisdom, Holy Word,
All: Thanks be to God                                                                       

SERMON                                                                                  Rev. Trip Porch

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN 165                        “The Glory of These Forty Days”                          ERHALT UNS, HERR

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  followed by the Lord’s Prayer 

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

On Sundays where uncredited African American Spirituals are sung, any loose offering will go to support the Columbus Cultural Orchestra, whose mission is to advance a collective of multi- generational musicians of color by performing high-quality jazz, classical, and hip-hop music.

OFFERTORY                                    “Adoration”                                                                     Florence Price

                                                                                                The Columbus Cultural Orchestra

*OFFERTORY RESPONSE 607       “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”       OLD HUNDREDTH         

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

God of abundance, we offer you these gifts; not to prove ourselves, not to earn your love, but in response to the love you've already given. Take these ordinary offerings and use them for your extraordinary purposes. Make us a people who give freely, love generously, and trust that in your hands, what we offer is always enough. Amen.

*HYMN insert                                “Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land”                                           WEARY LAND

TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

CHORAL RESPONSE        "The Lord Bless You and Keep You"                           James D. Wetzel 

POSTLUDE                             “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

The Columbus Cultural Orchestra

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