October 18, 2026
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost Sanctuary | 11:00 AM
Prayer Focus: Seeking God’s Guidance
Welcome to Worship at Central! In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. If it is your first time worshiping with us, please fill out a Connect Card and take it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!
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Sermon Note When the Pharisees attempt to corner Jesus in a logic trap, Jesus does what he does best and turns their question around on them. Ours is a faith that requires us to self-reflect and face hard answers.
Altar Flowers The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Meagan Elyse Reed, whose birthday was August 30. They are given by her mother, Resa Dorton. Meagan was the beloved granddaughter of Betty and Bill Hester.
GATHERING
The People Come Together in the Lord’s Name
PARISH CONCERNS
(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered to the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)
OPENING VOLUNTARY ................................................................. Franz Joseph Haydn *CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Three Pieces for Flute Clock
(*All who are able are asked to stand.)
*CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: We are chosen children of God, bound together by the Holy Spirit. People: We belong to God, and through God, we belong to one another. Leader: Come, let us worship in the assurance of God’s love that chooses us, empowers us, and inspires us to live as the family of Christ. People: We come to worship God in the assurance that we belong to God, and through God, we belong to one another. Amen. *HYMN IN PROCESSION 126 ..................................................... MIT FREUDEN ZART
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 ............................................................... Apostles Creed *GLORIA PATRI 71 .................................................................................... GREATOREX
Glory Be to the Father
COLLECT & THE LORD’S PRAYER Loving, living God, be among us now. Show us your ways. Guide our steps. Live in us, that we may be people of steadfast hope and powerful giving. Help us hear your words, challenging us to give you all the things that are yours. Help us remember that all we are and all we have are gifts from you, gifts to be shared in service and love. Through Christ our Lord, we now pray as your Son taught us... 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP
PROCLAMATION
God’s Word is Shared
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON ................................................................. Exodus 33:12-23 Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM ........................................................................ Franz Joseph Haydn/Hal Hopson
Sing to the Lord a New Song Sing to the Lord, sing a new song. All the earth in joyful chorus, sing, O sing a new song. Lift up your voice, let all rejoice, give praise to the Lord. With harp and trumpet, sing forth your joyful praise. Let hills rejoice, let rivers clap their hands; let fields with gladness ring, unite in joyful praise. Great is the Lord Almighty; sing a joyful song. Sing Hallelujah, Amen.
EPISTLE LESSON .......................................................................... 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God! *ACT OF PRAISE 819 ........................................................................................... Psalm 99
CHILDREN’S TIME
(Children are invited to the chancel. Following Children’s Time, children in 3K-1st grade will go with a leader to Children’s Church and may be picked up in room #145 or #147 after the service.)
*HYMN 399 ......................................................................................................... MESSIAH
Take My Life, and Let It Be
*GOSPEL LESSON ................................................................................. Matthew 22:15-22 Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God! SERMON ................................................................................................ Rev. Rusty Crimm
A Straight Answer
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
RESPONDING IN FAITH
We Respond to God’s Word in Worship
OFFERTORY .................................................................................. Johann Sebastian Bach
Trio Sonata No. 1 BWV 525 (iii Allegro)
*DOXOLOGY 95 ................................................................................................. OLD 100th
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
SENDING FORTH
We Respond to God’s Grace with Our Lives
*BENEDICTION *HYMN 569 ........................................................................................................ MESSAGE
We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations
CLOSING VOLUNTARY ......................................................................... René L. Becker
Festival March Assisting in Worship
Preacher .................................................................................................................................... Rev. Rusty Crimm Liturgists ....................................................................................... Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Meg Bryce Jiunnies Children’s Time ..................................................................................................................... Rev. Thomas Smith Organist/Choir Director .................................................................................................................. Dr. Don Grice Organist/Choir Accompanist .................................................................................................. Beverly Hazelwood Acolyte................................................................................................................................... MarthaAnn Johnson Crucifer ........................................................................................................................................... Smith Johnson Lay Readers ............................................................................................................... Eddy Harding, Resa Dorton Chancel Choir
Music text reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-732051. All rights reserved.
Music Note The organ sonatas, BWV 525–530 by Johann Sebastian Bach are a collection of six sonatas in trio sonata form. Each sonata has three movements, with three independent parts in the two manuals and obbligato pedal. The collection is generally regarded as one of Bach's masterpieces for organ. The sonatas are also considered to be amongst his most difficult compositions for the instrument. Our Offertory today is the third movement of the first sonata.
IN MEMORY OF GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET Connie Summerford Windham ................................................................. by Wren Summerford Hanks Rudy Hughes ............................................................................................ by Carolyn & Leon Wagnon Ross Peebles, Jerry Shealy ........................................................................................ Lisa & John Taylor Johnny Spears ................................................................................................................. by Julie Griffin
IN HONOR OF BEDS MINISTRY Art Justice ......................................................... by Betty Gail & Reamer King, Nancy & Jim Stewart MUSIC MINISTRY Betty Gail & Reamer King ..................................................................................... by Kari & Ben King
2026 STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2026 General Operating Budget Approved Budget for 2026 ........................................................................................ $2,379,813.00 Received 01-01-2026 to 10-11-2026 ........................................................................ $1,514,516.66 Spent 01-01-2026 to 10-11-2026 ............................................................................. $1,839,325.69 Received Week of 10-11-2026 ...................................................................................... $19,684.00 2026 Capital Building Fund Received Week of 10-11-2026 ........................................................................................... $500.00 Received YTD ................................................................................................................ $16,320.00 2026 Special Gifts Received Week of 10-11-2026 ...................................................................................... $11,150.16 Received YTD .............................................................................................................. $162,454.95 2026 Endowment Gifts Received YTD .................................................................................................................. $4,465.00
ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR OCTOBER 11, 2026 Sunday Chapel Service ..................................................................................................................... 53 Sanctuary Service ............................................................................................................................ 143 The Well ......................................................................................................................................... 49 Wednesday Service of Prayer and Holy Communion ...................................................................... 13 Nursery, Children & Youth Sunday School Totals ......................................................................... 24 Adult Sunday School Totals ............................................................................................................ 89