8:30 a.m. Order of Service

OPENING PRAISE “Let’s Worship”

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAISE SONGS “Majesty”

“Breathe”

“Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

ILLUMINATION “The Blessing”

SCRIPTURE Matthew 21:23-32

SERMON Tax Collectors and Prostitutes

OFFERING “He Is Lord”

COMMUNION SONG “Revelation Song”

FINAL BLESSING “Doxology”

CLOSING “Ain’t No Grave”

*Please stand as able

Assisting in today's service – Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson,

Liturgist: Mary Throndson Praise Team Leader: Mike Clark,

Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, Bass Guitar: Bob Jorstad,

Vocalists: Connie Clark, Pam Garza, Drum: Xander Thompson

10:30 a.m. Order of Service

PRELUDE “Your Grace Is Enough“ Matt Maher

INTROIT “Awesome God” TFWS #2040

CALL TO WORSHIP*

[Liturgist] The apostle Paul calls us to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ

Jesus.” What is the mind of Jesus?

[All] The mind of Jesus is to love God, neighbor, self, and all creation.

[Liturgist] Paul reminds us that “it is God who is at work in you.” How is God at work in

us?

[All] God enables us through grace to love God, neighbor, self, and all creation.

[Liturgist] Paul exhorts us to “work on your own salvation with fear and trembling.” How do

we work on our own salvation?

[All] We cooperate with grace to love God, neighbor, self, and all creation.

[Liturgist] Beloved, we gather to worship God who, through Jesus, shows us how to love

and enables us to love as Christ loves us.

[All] We gather to learn how to live in full accord through our love of God, neighbor,

self, and all creation.

OPENING HYMN* “Trust and Obey” No. 467

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING PRAYER

[All] Most wonderful God, Gratefully, we bring our lives to you, asking that our

worship may arise from love and be shaped by love, and be directed towards that

larger loving which is our soul’s desire.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

CHOIR ANTHEM “Sing Out Children of God” By Martin & Barrett

SCRIPTURE Matthew 21:23-32

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MOMENT

We invite all children and youth to participate in this intergenerational time of learning about Jesus.

Cristina Cuddy, Youth Teacher

Mary Whitson, Proclaimer

Mary Throndson, Children’s Teacher

[All] 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 “Change My Heart, O God” TFWS #2152

Prayer/Lord's Prayer

Response “More Like You” TFWS #2167

SERMON: Tax Collectors and Prostitutes

OFFERING

Call to Stewardship and Mission

Offertory “Our God” Reeves, Tomlin, Redman, Myrin

Doxology/Prayer of Dedication*

CLOSING HYMN* “Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” No. 348

BENEDICTION*

[All] May we remember: God is at work in us, enabling us to will and to work for God’s

pleasure. May God bless us with a spirit of joyful cooperation and Christian love as

together we work with God and neighbor for the flourishing of all God’s creation.

Amen.

RESPONSE “Majesty” No. 176

POSTLUDE “Jubilation ” James Denton

*Please stand as able

Assisting in today's service – Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson

Liturgist: Rosslyn Clauson, Organ: Brad Bettencourt, Sound Tech:

Video: Alex Paredes, Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, 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

September 27, 2026

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors

The People of The United Methodist Church

Today’s Flowers are in Memory of Judy Atwood

From Cristy Van Hook

Matthew 21:23-32

The Question about Jesus' Authority

23 Jesus came back to the Temple; and as he taught, the chief priests and the elders came

to him and asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you such right?”

24 Jesus answered them, “I will ask you just one question, and if you give me an answer, I

will tell you what right I have to do these things. 25 Where did John's right to baptize come

from: was it from God or from human beings?” They started to argue among themselves,

“What shall we say? If we answer, ‘From God,’ he will say to us, ‘Why, then, did you not

believe John?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From human beings,’ we are afraid of what the people might

do, because they are all convinced that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus,

“We don't know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you, then, by what right I do these

things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older

one and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 ‘I don't want to,’ he answered, but

later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the father went to the other son and said the

same thing. ‘Yes, sir,’ he answered, but he did not go. 31 Which one of the two did what his

father wanted?”

“The older one,” they answered.

So Jesus said to them, “I tell you: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the

Kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John the Baptist came to you showing you the right

path to take, and you would not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes

believed him. Even when you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by Fellow Ministry

October 4th will be hosted by Finance

Weekly Events:

Mon. 1:30pm People's Kitchen Feed Prep, Kitchen

6:00pm Gerry's Quilt Class, Criswell Hall

4:30pm Communications, Library

Tue 9:00am Tai Chi, Criswell Hall

10:00am Sew ‘n Sews & Crafts, McMillen Rm #113

11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall

11:45am People's Kitchen Food Distribution, 12pm leave church 11:45am

5:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Rm #115

7:30pm Friendly Neighborhood Big Band Rehearsal, Criswell Hall

Wed. 9:00am Church Work Morning

10:00am Mary, Martha, Esther Circle, McMillen Rm #113

6:00pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thu. 9:00am Fast walking & Tai Chi, Criswell Hall

11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall

5:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Fri. 10:00am Knitting & Crocheting Parks & Recreation, Criswell Hall

Sun. 8:30am Informal Worship Service

10:30am Traditional Worship Service

3:00pm Friendly Neighborhood Band Concert, Sanctuary

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat. Oct. 17 Youth Group, Adults 3pm, Youth 4pm, Dinner 5:30pm.

Sun. Oct. 25 Alternative Christmas Boutique, after both services.

Sun. Oct. 25 Movie Night, 4pm, ??

Mon. Oct. 26 Little Pink Houses of Hope dinner.

Fri-Sun. Nov 6-8 Holiday Boutique 9am-2pm, Friday & Saturday. Sunday after both services.

Sat. Nov. 14 John Lindsey presentation on El Nino,10:30.

Sat. Nov. 14 Youth Group, Adults 3pm, Youth 4pm, Dinner 5:30pm.

Sun. Nov. 15 Boutique - Last Chance!

Sat. Nov. 21 Free Golf Lessons for Youth Group at Monarch Dunes Golf Course, 2-4pm.

Sat. Dec. 5 Holiday Extravaganza Talent Show, 5-7pm.

Sun. Dec. 6 Friendly Neighborhood Band Concert, 3pm.

Tue. Dec. 8 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, 1pm. Advance on-line signup required.

Sat. Dec. 12 Youth Group, Adults 3pm, Youth 4pm, Dinner 5:30pm.

Thu, Dec. 17 Alternate date: Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, 1pm. Advance on-line

signup required.

ATTENDANCE

STEWARDSHIP

WEEK

8:30

10:30

IN-

PERSON

VIDEO

TOTAL

Weekly Needed $7,740

Aug 30

107

148

$2,620

Sep 06

126

$6,092

Sep 13

122

164

$10,318

Sep 20

127

$5,611

YTD Received:81,800 YTD Needed 92,880

UMCOR Disaster Relief (Hawaii) $1,410, (Nepal) $1,200