Come worship with us
Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 12, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
We welcome you to our worship service. We hope you find a place where your spirit is filled and refreshed – and a place to call home.
If you need to stretch your legs at any time, please feel free to do so.
Greeting, Wave, & Announcements
Prelude # 2214 “Lead Me, Guide Me”
Please take time to prepare your heart and mind for worship.
The Light of the Candle Symbolizes Christ’s Presence Among Us
† Call to Worship † Please stand as you are able.
Leader: Come, whether weary or rejoicing.
People: All are welcome here.
Leader: Come, whether at peace or in the midst of a struggle.
People: All are welcome here.
Leader: Come, whether growing or wilting.
All: All are welcome here.
† Hymn “Hymn of Promise” #707 † Please stand as you are able.
1. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
2. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
3. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Unison Prayer You may be seated.
All: God of new beginnings and ancient stories, help us see ourselves in Your stories, in Your promises, and in Your garden. Light our way with Your word today, and guide us with Your Spirit of love. Amen.
Children’s Time “This Little Light Of Mine”
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Reading from the New Testament: Romans 8:1-17 (NRSVUE)
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed, it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Leader: This is the Word of God, for the People of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Special Music Atlas Fitzgerald, “Oceans”
Joys and Concerns Silent Prayer Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Reading from the Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (NRSVUE)
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 If you have ears, hear!”
18 “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Sermon “Playing Our Hand” by Pastor Marge
Hymn “Walk with Me” #2242, verses 1, 2, 4
Refrain: Walk with me, I will walk with you
and build the land that God has planned
where love shines through.
1. When Moses heard the call of God
he said, “Lord, don’t send me.”
But God told Moses, “You’re the one to set my people free.” [Refrain]
2. Now Peter was a most unlikely man to lead the flock:
But Jesus knew his holiness and he became the Rock. [Refrain]
4. And when you share your faith with me
and work for life made new,
The witness of your faithfulness calls me to walk with you. [Refrain]
Offering: Giving back to God in gratitude for all He has given to us.
If you wish to donate online, the QR code is at right for convenience.
Guests: Please know that your presence is a gift to us and that we ask no other gift from you.
Offertory Music #583 “You Are the Seed”
† Hymn #2036 “Give Thanks” † Please stand as you are able.
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy one, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His 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.” Give Thanks.
† Prayer Of Thanksgiving † Please stand as you are able.
All: Creator God, You have created us for Your purposes and blessed us to accomplish Your promises. May the gifts and lives we offer to You serve Your purposes and Your promises, and may we be instruments of peace and love in Your world each day. Amen.
† Closing Hymn “Thy Word Is a Lamp” #601
† Please stand as you are able.
The Light of Christ Goes Before Us into the World
Refrain: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.
1. When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way
still You’re there right beside me, and
nothing will I fear as long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end. [Refrain]
2. Now I will not forget Your love for me and yet
my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide and hold me to Your side,
and I will love You to the end. [Refrain]
Benediction
Postlude #98 “To God Be the Glory”
Attendance pads are on chairs at the end of rows. Please sign the pad and pass it to the opposite aisle to be given to the ushers at offering time.
Vacation Bible School is fast approaching! July 20-24,
Illumination Station! Are you ready? Register today!
VBS Volunteer Meeting tomorrow, 6:30 p.m.! We’ll be talking about what we’re doing, what we’re teaching, and the best way to spread God’s word! Thank you for your commitment to VBS!
Hymn Suggestions: we have sheets in the gathering area for you to write down hymn suggestions for worship services. We will also use these as suggestions for a Hymn Sing on August 30.
Piecing Love and Warmth sewing group is in need of:
1. Laundry soap and dryer sheets,
2. Little fleece blankets or yards of fleece,
3. White thread.
All donations are appreciated!
You are invited to provide Special Music this summer. Sign up in the foyer for any date through August 30.
After Children’s Time, children are invited to attend J.A.M. (Jesus And Me) in the room west of the kitchen.
We are glad you came to worship with us today! We invite you back any and all Sundays!
Anniversaries this week:
Kyle & Kendra Cochran 7/12 23 years
Birthdays this week:
Camden Fry 7/13
Atlas Harrison 7/14
Barrett Fry 7/18
Deesie Jackson 7/18
Please Pray For
Our World Military & Families University UMC
Members of our church and congregation:
Jim B Callahan D Dee D John & Dorothy Bruce L Joyce M Matt M Nick N Brooke P Camille S Harry W Lillith Z
Members of our extended church family:
Scott, Grant, Drew, Judd & Alice, Dr. Robert, Mark, James, John, Cortlyn, Ruth, Lucy, Karen, Doug, Chris, Coraline, Sabrina, Carson, Sherry, Trish, Peggy, Jim, LuAnne, Trevor, Scott, Diane, Joe, Vanessa, Chris, Mary and Marvin’s family