Welcome to worship at Armstrong Chapel.
This week’s message, “Words From the Cross,” is rooted in Psalm 31:1–5—the very words Jesus echoed from the cross: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” In this powerful message, we reflect on the final words of Christ and what they reveal about trust, surrender, and the heart of God even in the midst of suffering. As Jesus faced the cross, He placed His life fully into the Father’s hands—showing us what it means to trust God completely, even when the path is difficult.
This sermon invites us to consider:
• What does it look like to surrender everything to God? • How can we trust Him in our own moments of uncertainty or pain? • And how do the words of Jesus continue to speak life and hope to us today?
As we worship together, may you be reminded that God is our refuge, our strength, and the One who holds us—even in our hardest moments.
CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Simon Kershaw, 2002–2021
LEADER: Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us:
PEOPLE: Let us celebrate the feast!
LEADER: Not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness.
PEOPLE: But with the bread of sincerity and truth.
LEADER: In dying, Christ died to sin once for all: in rising, Christ lives to God.
PEOPLE: Christ has been raised, let us sing praise to God.
HYMN The Church’s One Foundation #545 UMH
The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation,
yet one o’er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder
we see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge
the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church.
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins.
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
SCRIPTURE Acts 7:55-60 (CEV)
When the council members heard Stephen’s speech, they were angry and furious. But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side. Then Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!” The council members shouted and covered their ears. At once they all attacked Stephen and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!” He knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don’t blame them for what they have done.” Then he died.
HYMN: My Jesus, I Love Thee, UMH #172 vs 1
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Christ, our way, lead us.
Christ, our truth, illumine us.
Christ, our life, bring us to life.
Make us your people.
Silent Prayers may be offered
Merciful God, we acknowledge our sins before You today. We confess the times we have turned away from Your will, choosing selfishness over love. Lord, please forgive us. Wash us with the blood of Christ and make us clean again. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and renew our spirit within me. We trust in Your mercy and grace, knowing that through Jesus allare forgiven. May Your forgiveness free us from shame and guilt, so that we can live a life that reflects Your goodness.
SCRIPTURE Psalm 31:1-5 (NIV)
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
MESSAGE
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Communion is the Table of the Lord. You need not be a member of the United Methodist Church or Armstrong Chapel. Simply desire to receive the grace of Jesus Christ.
HYMN: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion’s help forever,
and her confidence alone.
To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today!
With thy faithful loving-kindness
hear thy people as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain;
what they gain from thee forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.
Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever three and ever one;
one in might and one in glory,
while unending ages run.
BENEDICTION
O Christ, our truth, our life, our way,
We give our hearts to you this day.
We give ourselves, yes all of us,
that where you are we too may be.
Thank you for sharing this morning worship. See you next week.
