Sunday Celebration 09/20/2026 – 30th Anniversary Year

Sunday Celebration – 09/20/2026

30th Anniversary Year

WELCOME & INVOCATION

Our Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God the creator of us all, whose desire for
diversity is seen in the rainbow of humanity. With unrelenting
passion God Seeks to be in relationship with all of us.
We believe in Jesus the Christ, who is the embodiment of
God’s redeeming grace; And in the Holy Spirit through whom
that grace continues its restoring work.
We believe in the Church. It is the body of Christ on the earth
today. As ministers of this church, we are all called like Jesus,
to heal, to deliver, to teach, and to serve.
We believe that together we can change the world,
in our time and for all time Amen!

Affirmation Chorus: In This Place
In this place, There’s joy that I can’t explain
In this place, There’s healing for all my pain
There is love unlike I’ve ever known
Everybody here makes me feel at home
As we gather here, I know I’m not alone
I feel God’s presence, Moving in this place..

SING AND CELEBRATE:

BETTER THAN LIFE

Your love is everlasting. It’s an everlasting love.
Your mercy is as new as every rising of the sun.
And Your loving kindness, loving kindness, Is better than life
Your grace is all-sufficient It’s an all-sufficient grace.
Your power and Your glory are forever on display.
And Your loving kindness, loving kindness, Is better than life
Chorus: Oh, it’s better, oh, better than life. Oh, so much better, Jesus, Your loving kindness… Is better than life.

GIVE THANKS
Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because God’s given, Jesus Christ, the Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because God’s given, Jesus Christ, the Son.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong” Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
And now let the weak say, “I am strong” Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”

THIRSTY
My soul is thirsty, My soul is thirsty for you
My soul is thirsty, My soul is thirsty for you
As the deer is thirsty for the water
So does my soul long for thee
My spirit… Needs… Refreshing
Father, I’m Thirsty, Thirsty For You (repeat all)
Darnell: Let me Drink from the fountain that never shall run dry From the fountain of everlasting life
For if I drink of your water, I will never thirst again
Let me draw from your living well
My soul is thirsty, My soul is thirsty for you
My soul is thirsty, My soul is thirsty for you
As the deer is thirsty for the water
So does my soul long for thee
My spirit… Needs… Refreshing Father, I’m Thirsty,
Father, I’m Thirsty, Father, I’m Thirsty, Thirsty For You

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom. LUKE 4:14-21

That triggered a response from one of the guests: “How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God’s kingdom!” Jesus followed up. “Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’“Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’ “Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’ “And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’ “The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and down-and-out you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’ “The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded—and there’s still room.’“The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full!

LUKE 14:15-16

 “How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.’ John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a boozer, a friend of the misfits. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”MATTHEW 11:18-19