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Vol. 67 No. 37 ✥ September 16, 2026

September 20, 2026 ❖ The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lessons: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Matthew 21:23-32

Sermon: "The Will of God"

In this week’s parable, Jesus asks a question about who is doing God’s will and who is not. And the answer is surprising, even scandalous. Do we realize even today just how wide God’s mercy is, and do we understand how best to follow God’s will in our own lives?

Our Final Summer Sermon Series is “Surprise! Parables from Jesus.” We encounter deep truths when we explore the teachings of Jesus in parables, and we also are often surprised by Jesus’ interpretations. We will explore these surprising stories in a six-week series as we end our summer season together.

This is the season after Pentecost in the Christian year. Having celebrated the “birthday of the church” through the giving of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, we enter the Season after Pentecost for 24 weeks, to celebrate the existence of the church and recall her mission in the world. The liturgical color for the season is green, symbolic of the church’s growth and mission.

Anthem:

"Now Let Us All Praise God And Sing" - Gordon Young

Worship is live on our homepage and YouTube channel at 11:00 a.m.,

but we love having you with us in the sanctuary!

Endowment Recognition Luncheon RSVP

Ministry Involvement Survey

Click Here to Sign Up

MEAL TRAIN FOR LELA & SHELTON CHESSON

Lela and Shelton Chesson are both back home and recovering. They could use some meals 2-3 days per week. If you would like to sign up for a slot, please do so using the link below.

Meal Train Link for Chessons

MEAL TRAIN FOR ANDREA & COLLINS CUTHRELL

Andrea is home recovering from surgery while the family enjoys new baby Jay. They could use some meals 2-3 days per week. If you would like to sign up for a slot, please do so using the link below.

Meal Train Link for Cuthrells

Please remember the following persons who need our prayers and support:

At Home:

Keith Abbott, 3413 Brookview Drive (04)

Janice Bobbitt (Chuck Taylor's sister), 4204 Whitehurst Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409

Robyn Edwards Chapman (Jeannette Pittman's cousin), 1481 Richardson Road, Apt. C406, Apex, NC 27523

Lela Chesson, 53 Whispering Pines Drive (04)

Jennifer Cobb, 1506 West Haven Blvd. (03)

Andrea Cuthrell, 3517 Mansfield Drive (03)

Doug Edwards, 4699 Moreland Drive, Battleboro, NC 27809

Mike Evans, 1151 Falls Road, Apt. 218 (04)

Michele Costa Foster, 105 Gloucester Court (03)

Charlotte Gilliam, 3794 Loblolly Drive (04)

Leland Goslen (Linda and Cameron Graham's great-nephew), 1021 Oakgate Court, Apex, NC 27502

Linda Hoyle, 210 Gravely Drive (04)

Bill Jones (Dorrie Wright’s brother)

Brian Lassiter, 104 Killian Court (04)

C. B. Morris, 1930 Northern Boulevard (04)

Howard Phykitt, 106 Whispering Pines Drive (04)

Grady Pittman, 313 Englewood Drive (04)

Jeannette Pittman, 313 Englewood Drive (04)

Billie Stallings, 404 Wildwood Avenue (03)

Ziggy Zalzneck, 324 Piedmont Avenue (03)

Our Members at Home:

Jackie Allsbrook, 113 Old Colony Way (04)

Ann Bishop, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Apt. S210, Durham, NC 27705

Sallie Ray Wilkerson, HeartFields at Cary, 1050 Crescent Green Drive, Cary, NC 27518

We offer our sympathy to Betty Lane Winslow, Joan and Jim Ashby, and their family, upon the death of Betty Lane's son, Ted "Lee" Bissett, on September 10. A service celebrating his life was held on September 15.

Thanks be to all of the team that helped to put my house together. I can truly say that God is still in the Blessing Business. May God forever bless and keep you. Love, Alma Grant

Give Now

YOUTH NEWS

This Sunday, September 20, we will begin our next Discipleship Class for kids in grades 5-8 who are interested in learning what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ, the meaning of baptism and communion, the responsibilities of church membership, and how to live out our faith in our lives each day. If your child is interested in participating in this four-week series, let me know as soon as possible.

This Sunday is also our first regular Youth Fellowship schedule, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Come for games, dinner, and an important discussion about what it means to be a good neighbor. Following Youth Fellowship, at 6:45 p.m., we will head out to Dunkin for coffee and conversation. Bring a few dollars for a sweet treat. Parents can pick up youth from the Dunkin on 301 at 7:30 or back at church around 7:45. I hope everyone can come and bring a friend!

Elizabeth

MUSIC NOTES

Our processional hymn this Sunday will be the familiar, “Come, Thou Almighty King.” Below is some background information about the hymn taken from 101 Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite hymns, by Kenneth W. Osbeck.

“This is one of our most popular “opening” hymns, yet little is known of its background. It appeared anonymously in London, England, about 1757 to commemorate Trinity Sunday. About fifteen years earlier the British national hymn, “God Save Our Gracious King,” first came into general use. Both of these hymn texts were sung to the same tune for a period of time. Today, however, that tune, “AMERICA”, is used exclusively in this country for our national hymn, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” The “ITALIAN HYMN” tune has been wedded permanently with “Come, Thou Almighty King.” It has been suggested that the newer text was written as an act of rebellion and as a substitute for the words of the royal hymn, and that for this reason the author wished to remain anonymous. Other writers have felt that this text was written as a sequel to the earlier text, with one a prayer for an earthly ruler, and the other a prayer to a heavenly King.

“Come, Thou Almighty King” has often been attributed to Charles Wesley since it first appeared in 1757 in a pamphlet, published by John Wesley, which also contained an original hymn text by Charles Wesley. However, many students of hymnology argue that this could not be a Wesleyan text since the Wesley’s were never know to use an odd meter for their texts–which this hymn has.

An interesting account is told of this hymn’s use during the time of the Revolutionary War. A group of British troops invaded an American church service one Sunday morning and demanded that the congregation sing “God Save Our Gracious King.” The people responded with the requested tune but sang “Come, Thou Almighty King” instead.

The tune, “ITALIAN HYMN,” was composed especially for this anonymous text by Felice de Giardini in 1769. This Italian composer was born in Turin, Italy, on April 12, 1716. He moved to London, England, where he became a popular violinist in London operatic circles. Later he spent time in Moscow, Russia, as an operatic conductor and died there in 1796.”

Zack

CHILDREN'S CORNER

Our first Sunday of Children’s Church and Youth and Children’s night went very well. Thank you to Jennifer Cobb and Cornelia Singletary for volunteering for children’s church. Your gifts were greatly appreciated. We made Bumblebees to remind ourselves to always “Bee” doers’ We have to “Bee” kind, loving, caring, nice, and so much more to all our neighbors.

Sunday night was so much fun getting to know all the children and youth families. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and fun. The taco/nacho bar and ice cream Sunday bar was a highlight of the night. We played some fun’s games that allowed us to get to know all our youth and children families and teachers. The children did a fun activity to kickoff our Theme “Won’t you be my neighbor.” They created self portraits to reminds us who our neighbors are in our classroom and that God created each one us exactly how we are. The portraits will be displayed in our classroom!

Jacob

TOPNOTCHERS NEWS

We had another lovely Continuing the Communion lunch at Lazeez's. It was quite a unique culinary experience and, of course, the fellowship was superb. Next Continue the Communion lunch will be at Sal's Pizza 2820 Sunset Avenue on October 4.

On October 2 we will visit Hardy Alpaca Farm. Beside touring their outfit in Castalia, we will do a fun, hands on Goat's Milk Soap-Making Workshop! Learn how to make your own nourishing soap using real goat's milk, known for its gentle, moisturizing qualities and its appeal to those with dry skin. Cost is $15.00. Afterwards, we will have lunch at Pauley's Pizza in Louisburg. We will leave at 10:15 a.m. from the church. Please sign up for this event by September 25 so there will be enough supplies for the workshop. We should return between 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Sue

GATEKEEPERS NEEDS YOUR HELP

Each year, Gatekeepers Workcamp uses dozens of plastic containers for paint storage, and we need your help replenishing our supply. Please save your plastic containers with a built-in handle, from items such as coffee, peanuts, pet treats, etc. Containers with lids are preferred. You may bring clean, dry containers by the church office anytime throughout the year. Thank you!