Asbury United Methodist Church

May 3, 2026

All Are Welcome!

Prelude – Joys, Concerns, Announcements

Introit

Greeting – Peggy Johnson

Ever-gracious, Way-Making God,

we celebrate the gifts of your Spirit.

You have not fed us a diet of shame or shrinking,

but with the milk of your truth,

you have made us strong and faithful servants of Christ.

You call us to take up the mantle of justice and to follow wherever faith leads us.

You fill us with strength and hope,

and you invite us to share in the cost and joys of discipleship.

You promise us splendor and beauty in this life and in the world to come.

Meet us here, we pray,

that your word will be fulfilled in our hearing

and that your Spirit will fill us with courage. Amen. (Written by Rev. Elizabeth Dilley on the Worship Ways)

Please stand as you are able at *.

*CALL TO WORSHIP                Peggy Johnson

One: Easter people, in the midst of our questions and doubts, Jesus answers:
ALL: I am the way, the truth, and the life.

One: In the midst of our worry and distress, Jesus assures us:
ALL: I am the way, the truth, and the life.

One: In the midst of misinformation, confusion, and distrust, Jesus reminds us:
ALL: I am the way, the truth, and the life.

One: In the midst of dead ends and impossible challenges, Jesus shows us:
ALL: I am the way, the truth, and the life.

One: Come, let us worship as we learn to follow Christ, our way, our truth, and our life.
ALL: Come, let us worship! Thanks be to God! Amen.  (Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, Oct. 2025.)

*Hymn #554 “All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord” (verses 1-3)

All praise to our redeeming Lord,

Who joins us by his grace,

And bids us, each to each restored,

Together seek his face.

He bid us build each other up,

And, gathered into one,

to our high calling’s

Glorious hope we hand in hand go on.

The gift which he on one bestows,

We all delight to prove,

The grace through every

Vessel flows in purest streams of love.

1st READING: Proverbs 4:10-18 NRSVUE                    Peggy Johnson

Hear, my child, and accept my words,

   that the years of your life may be many.

I have taught you the way of wisdom;

   I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

When you walk, your step will not be hampered,

   and if you run, you will not stumble.

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;

   guard her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked,

   and do not walk in the way of evildoers.

Avoid it; do not go on it; 

   turn away from it and pass on.

For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;

   they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

For they eat the bread of wickedness

   and drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

   which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

Psalm 119, response #1- UMH pg. 840-843    Peggy Johnson

Response 1: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

R

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

  Who walk in the law of the Lord!

Blessed are those who keep God’s testimonies,

  Who seek God with their whole heart,

Who also do no wrong,

  But walk in God’s ways!

You have commanded your precepts

  To be kept diligently.

O hath my ways may be steadfast

  In keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not me put to shame,

  Having my eyes fixed on all your

   Commandments.

I will praise you with and upright heart,

  When I learn your righteous ordinances.

I will observe your statutes;

  O forsake me not utterly!    R

Teach my, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

  And I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

  And observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

  For I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

  And not to gain!

Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

  And give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise,

  Which is for those who fear you.

Turn away the reproach which I dread;

  For your ordinances are good.

Behold, I long for your precepts;

  In your righteousness give me life!      R

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

   Your salvation according to your promise;

Then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me,

  For I trust in your word.

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mount,

  For my hope is in you ordinances.

I will keep you law continually,

  For ever and ever;

And I shall walk at liberty,

  For I have sought your precepts.

I will also speak of your testimonies before rulers,

  And shall not be put to shame;

For I find my delight in your commandments,

  Which I love.

I revere your commandments, which I love,

  And I will meditate on your statutes.       R

Your testimonies are wonderful;

  Therefore my soul keeps them.

The unfolding of your words gives light;

  It imparts understanding to the simple.

With open mouth I pant,

   Because I long for your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

  For you are just to those who love your name.

Keep steady my steps according to your promise,

  And let no iniquity get dominion over me.

Redeem me from human oppression,

  That may keep your precepts.

Make you face shine upon you servant,

  And teach me your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of tears,

  Because your law is not kept.     R

Righteous are you, O Lord,

  And right are your judgments.

You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness

  And in all faithfulness.

My zeal consumes me,

  Because my foes forget your words.

Your promise is well tried,

  And your servant loves it.

I am small and despised,

  Yet I do not forget your precepts.

Your righteousness is righteous forever,

  And your law is true.

Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

  But your commandments are my delight.

Your testimonies are righteous forever;

  Give me understanding that I may live.    R

Anthem:

2nd READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10 NRSVUE     Peggy Johnson

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,

   a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

   has become the very head of the corner,”

and   

“A stone that makes them stumble

   and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people,

   but now you are God’s people;

once you had not received mercy,

   but now you have received mercy.

GOSPEL READING: John 14:1-14 NRSVUE   Pastor Alison   

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

Pastor: The word of God for the people of God.   

People: Thanks be to God! 

SERMON: “Gladden our spirits as we live out your mission”  Message by Pastor Alison Dix

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION  

INVITATION

Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him,

  who earnestly repent of their sin

  and seek to live in peace with one another.

Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

CONFESSION AND PARDON

Merciful God,

We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have failed to be an obedient church.

We have not done your will,

we have broken your law,

we have rebelled against you love,

we have not loved our neighbors,

and we have not heard the cry of the needy.

Forgive us, we pray.

Free us for joyful obedience,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All pray in silence.

Pastor: Hear the good news:

  Christ died for us while we were yet sinners;

  that proves God’s love toward us.

In the name in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Glory to God. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

And also to you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

And so,

  With your people on earth

  And all the company of heaven

  We praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

And so,

In remembrance of these your might acts in Jesus Christ,

We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving

  As a holy and living sacrifice,

  In union with Christ’s offering for us,

As we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!

All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father

Now and forever.

Amen, amen, amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in 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, the power, and the glory,

  forever.  Amen

GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP - please come forward, at the Methodist Church, we practice an open table where all are invited and welcome to partake.

Offering Time

Prayer of Dedication (Unison)

Way-Making God, your offer to us is not just to believe in heaven, but to live the kingdom life here and now. Through Jesus, you show us the way, the truth, and the life—calling us to deeper trust, wider welcome, and greater works of grace. As we bring our gifts, we step into that life, choosing generosity over fear and hope over judgment. Use these offerings, and use us, to make your dwelling places visible in our community, in our compassion, in our courage. We give, because we’ve heard your voice. In Christ’s name. Amen.

*Hymn #368 “My Hope Is Built”

My hope is built on nothing less than

Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,

I res on his unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy dale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood

Supported me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in hem be found!

Dressed in his righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne!

On Christ the solid rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

*Benediction

Prayer for Home                                                                                                          

Magnificent God, maker of extravagant promises and giver of amazing gifts, we thank you for the ways you lead us into your pathways and empower us to use our abilities for your kingdom. Inspire and embolden us for ministry in your name; gladden our spirits as we live out your mission. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS       

Today 5/3

8:45 am        Communion

9:45 am       Fellowship Time             

Wednesday 5/6

5:00 pm        Choir Practice

Next Sunday 5/10                            

8:45 am          Worship

9:45 am         NO Breakfast Brunch Social Hour- Happy Mother’s Day!!

Miracle Sunday Is Coming – May 17

On Sunday, May 17, our congregation will join United Methodists around the world for Miracle Sunday, a special offering to strengthen theological education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. Across our worldwide church, fewer than 5% of pastors outside the United States have access to formal theological education. Through Miracle Sunday, we help equip pastors, teachers, and lay leaders who guide churches with wisdom, compassion, and faith, in very challenging places. This offering supports a permanent endowment, ensuring that future generations of leaders are formed to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. Please begin praying now about how God may be calling you to participate.

Pastor Alison Dix Cell: 319-573-4801   Email: Alison.dix@iaumc.net                             

Website: www.theasburymethodistcr.com

Office Phone: 319-364-3188   

Church Office Hours: Tue-Thurs 9 am to 1 pm