Stout Memorial United Methodist Church 3329 Broad Street | Parkersburg | West Virginia | 26104 www.stoutmemorial.org | (304) 428 - 1179 | stoutmemorial@gmail.com October 11, 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 20th Sunday After Pentecost October 11, 2026 Welcome and Announcements Rev. Helen R. Oates Prelude The Heavens Rejoice Bonnie Leonhart Ritter Choral Introit “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me” Chancel Choir by Paul M. Vasile, text is liturgical and adapted by Paul M. Vasile Call to Worship Greg Bolton Beloved, God’s never-ending love spills out all around us, drawing us together. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice! God’s always-present grace surrounds us, enlivening us to love ourselves and our neighbors just as Christ loves us. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice! God’s persistent peace sweeps through us, empowering us to live as agents of God’s mercy and justice wherever we go. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice! May our rejoicing overflow into our families, neighborhoods, and the whole earth that through our living, working, resting, and playing, God may be glorified. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice! Hymn Blest Be the Tie That Binds verses 1-3 UMH 557 Opening Prayer Greg Bolton You give to us the gift of joy, O God, but what happens when we mess up? What happens when we continue to go our own way, follow our own will? Forgive us. We, too, make idols out of our work. We place our own comfort above others around us. We harbor spiteful pride while forgetting to love as Jesus loved. Renew us with your joy – as we feel the sun shining or hear the birds singing. Help us to remember joy is near, because you are near to us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Old Testament Lesson Exodus 32:1-14 Greg Bolton 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 “People Need the Lord” Chancel Choir Words and Music by Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh with Lloyd Larson, Arranger Scripture Lesson Philippians 4:1-9 Sermon “The Joy of Changing Your Mind” Pastor Helen Offertory Meditation on “O Store Gud” Bonnie Leonhart arr. Wagner Thank you for your continued support of the ministries of Stout. Giving can be done on our website at www.stoutmemorial.org/give. Doxology UMH 94 Prayer of Dedication Steadfast Joy, when “always” feels larger than our capacity, you remain near. In gratitude, we bring these gifts, signs of love learned from you. Receive what we place in your hands and let it become courage, welcome, and hope. Guard us with your peace as we press on in Christ. Amen. Hymn Now Thank We All Our God vs 1 & 2 UMH 102 Postlude Let There Be Peace on Earth Bonnie Leonhart We thank the Altar Guild each Sunday for providing a variety of silk flower arrangements on the altar to the glory of God. If you would like to sponsor a Sunday with an arrangement, fill out the sponsor sheet on the welcome table. The Altar Guild has partnered with Dudley Florist to provide our altar flowers. Two types of arrangements are available at $30 or $40 per vase depending on type of flowers, colors, and size of arrangement. Please use the 5 x 8 cards to leave specific information. If office is closed, place in the plastic holder affixed to the church office door. Our Mission Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World. Joy is vital. We can’t do this thing called life without it. And more importantly, we don’t have to manufacture it. Joy is a gift, an act of grace in our lives that points us back to God and flows out of us to others. Joy gives us sustenance to maintain life, hope, resilience, and perseverance, even in the most impossible circumstances. Joy isn’t an escape. True joy accompanies us in and through the realness of our lives. So, even as you focus on rejoicing today, don’t forget the prayer of confession or the prayers of the people. Speak the truth about how we fall short. Name the places of hurt and suffering in your community. We can rejoice in God because in all of our faults and our pain, we are not alone. God is with us. —-Discipleship Resources