WHAT'S HA P P ENI N G
Weekly Events:
Mon. 4:30pm Communications, Library
6:00pm Gerry's Quilt Class, Criswell Hall
Tue 9:00am Tai Chi, Criswell Hall
10:00am Sew ‘n Sews, McMillen Room #113
11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall
7:30pm Friendly Neighborhood Big Band Rehearsal, Criswell Hall
Wed. 9:00am Church Work Morning
10:00am Mary, Martha,Esther Circle, McMillen Room #113
Thu. 9:00am Fast walking & Tai Chi, Criswell Hall
11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall
Fri. 10:00am Knitting & Crocheting Parks & Recreation, Criswell Hall
Sat. 4:00pm 4pm –6pm Youth Group Empty Bowls at Evelyn & Deb’s home
Sun. 8:30am Informal Worship Service
10:30am Traditional Worship Service
2 - 4pm Movie Night My Spy
HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by Sta Parish
August 30th will be hosted by Trustees
Assisting in today's service – Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson
Liturgist: Judy Leonard, Organ: Brad Bettencourt, Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, Sound
Tech: Adrian Paredes, Video: Susan Throndson
Special Music: Cross Traffic, Song Leader: Tricia Stewart.
First United Methodist Church of Arroyo Grande
275 N. Halcyon Road,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-481-2692 fumcag@yahoo.com
WorshipWeekly.com
August 23, 2026 10:30 am
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors
The People of The United Methodist Church
ATTENDANCE
STEWARDSHIP
WEEK
8:30
10:30
IN-
PERSON
VIDEO
Weekly Needed $7,740
July 26
34
56
90
26
$6,777
Aug 02
35
87
122
29
$7,504
Aug 09
45
68
113
10
$11,825
Aug 16
43
72
115
14
$8,349
YTD Received: $54,401 YTD Needed $50,099
Our Fiscal Year runs July 1 to June 30
PRELUDE “Holy, Holy” By. Jimmy Owens
INTROIT “All The Praise” Cross Traffic
CALL TO WORSHIP*
[Liturgist] In a world where powerful people make decisions to lift themselves up and
cast others aside, how does God teach us to use our power?
[All] God teaches us to protect the vulnerable, resist the oppressors, and persist in
doing good.
[Liturgist] In a world where power means might, how does God show us what power
means?
[All] God shows us through the midwives’ daring, Peter’s truth-telling, and Jesus’
humility.
[Liturgist] In a world where power is held over people’s heads, how does God exercise
power?
[All] God exercises power with the oppressed, with the outcasts, with the poor and
downtrodden.
[Liturgist] Beloved, we gather to recognize our world as it is and to grow as disciples and
imitators of Christ. So, how will you use your power today?
[All] We will side with the vulnerable, build community in the margins, and love all
of our neighbors with the exuberant and all-encompassing love of Christ. Amen.
OPENING HYMN* “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” No. 110
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
[All] O God, Sustainer of all life and Creator of the universe, you set us aside to be
leaders, so help us see things as they are and not only as they affect ourselves.
Grant that we may have a wise and modest estimate of our own powers and live in
full contact with all things high, true, and good. Teach us our failings and our faults;
give us courage to acknowledge them and, by your grace, enable us to overcome
them. Lift us above the unstable currents of our self-will and establish us on the
rock of your purposes. Be to each of us the secret stay and the inner guide of our
lives. May your Spirit dwell in us more and more, that your peace which exceeds all
understanding may possess our hearts and minds. Amen.
STAFF APPRECIATION
SPECIAL MUSIC “Blessed Be The Lamb” Cross Traffic
SCRIPTURE Matthew 16:13-20
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MOMENT
We invite all children and youth to participate in this intergenerational time of learning
about Jesus. Mary Whitson, Proclaimer
Christina Cuddy, Youth Teacher
Mary Throndson, Children’s Teacher
O God, we thank you for blessing us with the gift of children.
May they learn the stories of Jesus. May we share their joy. Amen.
A TIME OF PRAYER
Call to Prayer “Jesus, Name Above All Names” TFWS #2071
Prayer/Lord's Prayer
Response “Jesus, Name Above All Names” TFWS #2071
SERMON: Who do you Say Jesus is?
OFFERING
Call to Stewardship and Mission
Offertory “I Need Thee Every Hour” By Robert Lowry
Doxology/Prayer of Dedication*
CLOSING HYMN* “One Bread, One Body” No .620
BENEDICTION*
[All] God calls us to use our power wisely and in the service of those the world has
disempowered. May God bless us with the courage to notice injustices in the world and the
perseverance to keep showing up with God and one another as we empower one another to
set the world aright. Amen.
RESPONSE “One More Opportunity” Cross Traffic
POSTLUDE “Christus Victor” Cross Traffic
*Please stand as able
Today’s Flowers Are In Memory Of
Family and Friends of Bobbi Merris
From Mike Harrod & Terry Carver
Today’s Flowers In Honor Of
Cristy Van Hook
Happy Birthday
From Lamar Van Hook
Matthew 16:13-20
Peter's Declaration about Jesus
13 Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi,
where he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man
is?”
14 “Some say John the Baptist,” they answered. “Others say
Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet.”
15 “What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living
God.”
17 “Good for you, Simon son of John!” answered Jesus. “For this
truth did not come to you from any human being, but it was given to
you directly by my Father in heaven.
18 And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock
foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be
able to overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you
prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit
on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
20 Then Jesus ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was
the Messiah.
UPCOMING EVENTS :
Fri. Sep 4 Plantel Nursery Tour, Santa Maria, 10am, Meet
at church 9:20
Sat. Sep12 Dana Adobe History Day. Carpool from church
at 9:30
Sun. Sep13 Volunteer Appreciation Sunday after 2nd
service. Includes lunch and games.
Sat. Sep 26 District Women's Retreat at our church
Sun Oct 4 Friendly Neighborhood Band Concert, 3PM
Sun.Oct 25 Alternative Christmas Boutique, after both
services
Mon. Oct 26 Little Pink Houses of Hope Dinner
Nov 6-8 Boutique
Sat. Nov14 John Lindsey presentation on El Nino. 10:30
Sun. Dec6 Friendly Neighborhood Band Concert 3pm
Tue. Dec 8 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.1pm,
Advance on-line signup required.
Thu, Dec17 Alternate date: Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power
Plant. 1pm, Advance on-line signup required.