"They are in the world...watch over them"

May 17, 2026

Stout Memorial
United Methodist Church

3329 Broad Street | Parkersburg | West Virginia | 26104 www.stoutmemorial.org | (304) 428 - 1179 | stoutmemorial@gmail.com

The glory that you have given me. I have given them, so that they may be ONE, as we are ONE… John 17:22, NRSV

May 17, 2026 - Traditional Service 10:45AM

Ministers
The congregation

Pastor
Helen R. Oates

Ministers through Music
Terri Bush ~ Choir Director
Bonnie Leonhart ~ Organist

Ministers Though Service
Andrew Mommessin ~ Sound Coordinator
Sarah Sisson—Communications Director
Danny Stemple—IT Specialist

Order of Worship
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2026

Welcome and Announcements Rev. Helen R. Oates

Prelude Holy Ground by Geron Davis Bonnie Leonhart

Choral Introit Majesty Chancel Choir with music and text by Jack Hayford

Call to Worship Psalm 47:1-2 Sofia Olson
Clap your hands, all you people!
Shout joyfully to God with a joyous shout!
Because the Lord Most High is awesome,
He is the great king of the whole world.

Praise Choruses Awesome God FWS 2040
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High FWS 2088

Breakthrough Prayer Sofia Olson
God, breakthrough in new and miraculous ways at Stout Memorial United Methodist Church. Make us a faithful voice in our community, a people who love deeply, listen humbly, and grow daily in Your strength and love. Lead us where only You can. Amen.

New Testament Lesson Acts 1:6-14 Sofia Olson

The Young at Heart

Joys and Concerns

Morning 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. Lead us not
into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.

Anthem Be Present, Spirit Of the Lord Chancel Choir music by Don Besig, text by Don Besig and Nancy Price

Gospel Lesson John 17:1-11

Sermon “They are in the world...watch over them” Pastor Helen

Offertory Spirit of God settings by Hystad Bonnie Leonhart

Thank you for continuing to support the ministries of Stout Memorial. Those joining us online can take time to give as well. Giving can be done on our website at www.stoutmemorial.org/give.

Doxology UMH 94

Prayer of Dedication
Unifying God of Grace, you have entrusted us with the joy of community and the calling of witness. As Jesus prayed that we might be one, we bring these gifts as a sign of our shared commitment to your mission in the world. Use these offerings to strengthen the church, to bless our neighbors, and to glorify your name. In Christ, we belong to you. In Christ, you are glorified in us. Amen.

Hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Vs 1 & 3 UMH 89

Benediction

Postlude Let There Be Peace On Earth Bonnie Leonhart


A special Charge Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. prior to our normal Church Council meeting. Amy Shanholtzer will present an increase in the Pastor’s Salary for 2026-2027 Appointment year.

Congregational Appreciation
The flowers today are given to the glory of God in memory of Mother, Mardella Blair and brother, William Kit Woofter by Paula and Wally Earnest

The person who supplied our flowers went out of business. The Altar Guild is working with Dudley Florist to provide our flowers. We will not be able to match the $25 per vase, but Dudley is offering arrangements at $30 or $40per vase depending on what the individual wants regarding amount of flowers, colors, etc. For more information, contact Nicki Montgomery. There are new sponsorship forms on the Welcome Table in the Gathering Space

Our Mission:

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World

We Are One
Jesus prays that we (that’s you and I and everyone else) would be one as “we are one.” We are to be as close as Jesus and God. We are called to function as parts of the Trinity, aspects of the same thing, different, but one in essence and in hope. That is what community really means. It doesn’t mean individuality is lost; differences make the whole what it is. But it does mean that we acknowledge our need for the other and acknowledge that we are somehow incomplete without the other. How can we fight amongst ourselves? How can we hate and cast stones at one another when we are part of the same whole? We are hating and casting stones at ourselves. The church is many things, but in this prayer, it is clear that the church is called to be one.

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