Worship Elements — When Truth Faces Power
John 18:28-40 (CEB) · Witnesses: Encountering Jesus When It Matters Most
These worship elements are designed for the Sunday service on March 15, 2026 at McPherson First United Methodist Church. Pastors and worship leaders are welcome to adapt them for your own context.
Welcome
We’ve all stood before someone with power over us and wondered: Do I tell the truth, or do I say what they want to hear? Today we witness Jesus doing the unthinkable—speaking truth to the most powerful man in the room.
Welcome to worship at McPherson First United Methodist Church! I’m [NAME], and I’m delighted you’re here this morning.
At McPherson First, we aim to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. Whether you’ve been part of this congregation for decades or this is your very first Sunday, you belong here.
We grow as followers of Jesus through five practices: prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. You’ll hear each of these named as we worship together today.
If you’re new or looking for your next step, visit mcphersonfirst.org/next or download the Church Center app—you can check in, request prayer, find ways to serve, or give. You can also text CONNECT to 620-241-3626 to stay in the loop.
Call to Worship
Leader: In a world of spin and half-truths, God calls us to something different.
People: We gather to worship the God who is truth itself.
Leader: When speaking honestly costs us, Jesus shows us another way.
People: We bring our fears and our courage to this place.
Leader: Power that serves itself will always fail. Power that serves others transforms the world.
People: We open our hearts to learn a different kind of strength.
Leader: Come, let us worship the One who stood before Pilate unafraid.
People: We worship the God whose truth sets us free.
Opening Prayer
God of truth, we live in a world where honesty is costly and silence often feels safer. Give us courage to speak what is true, even when power presses us to bend. Meet us here with your unshakeable presence. Amen.
Welcome Your Neighbor
Before we continue, take a moment to welcome your neighbor. Introduce yourself to someone sitting nearby—especially someone you don’t know yet.
If you’re worshiping online, say hello in the comments.
This is how we practice witness—welcoming others as Christ welcomes us and inviting others to experience this community. As you greet those around you, also consider who’s not here. Who might you invite to worship next week?
After we greet each other, please remain standing as we sing together. Will you please stand and welcome your neighbors?
Invitation to Prayer and Pastoral Prayer
Jesus stood before Pilate and told the truth. Sometimes we need courage just to be honest with God about what we’re carrying.
Now we practice prayers—one of the five ways we grow as followers of Jesus. Prayer connects us to God and each other.
We carry each other in prayer throughout the week. If you have a prayer request, share it through the Church Center app or at mcphersonfirst.org/next. You can also text PRAY to 620-241-3626. And if you’d like to join our prayer team, text PRAYERTEAM to receive requests throughout the week.
Will you pray with me?
God of truth, you see everything clearly—what we try to hide, what we refuse to admit, what we wish were different. We come before you now, not with polished words, but with honest hearts.
[Pause]
We praise you that you never manipulate or deceive. In a world where truth bends to power, you remain constant. Your word stands firm when everything else shifts beneath our feet.
We confess that we have been more like Pilate than we’d like to admit. We’ve asked “What is truth?” not because we wanted to know, but because the truth was inconvenient. We’ve stayed silent when speaking up felt risky. We’ve calculated consequences instead of seeking righteousness. Forgive us.
[Pause for silent confession]
We thank you that Jesus showed us what courage looks like—standing calm before power, speaking truth without flinching, trusting you when everything seemed lost.
Now we bring our prayers for others: for those facing powerful systems that feel impossible to change, for those who speak truth and pay the price, for leaders tempted to choose expedience over integrity, for our community and the places where injustice hides in plain sight. Give your people courage to name what is wrong and work toward what is right.
We pray for this congregation—that we would be people who tell the truth kindly and hear the truth humbly. We pray for those among us who are sick, grieving, or struggling. Meet them with your presence.
We offer all these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying…
Our Father, who art in heaven…
Invitation to Give and Check-In
Pilate couldn’t recognize truth standing right in front of him because he was calculating what it would cost. Following Jesus means putting our whole lives on the table—including our resources—trusting that the truth is worth whatever it costs.
Now we practice gifts—one of the five ways we grow as followers of Jesus. You can give through the offering plates, the Church Center app, or at mcphersonfirst.org/next. Thank you to those who give regularly—your generosity sustains our mission.
We also practice presence—showing up and serving in this community. Check in using the blue attendance pads next to the center aisle, the Church Center app, or at mcphersonfirst.org/next. And if you’re ready to find your place to serve in our ministries, you can do that through the app or website too.
Ushers, will you please come forward to receive the offering?
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We’ve offered our gifts. Now we’re sent to practice service—to be God’s hands and feet in our community. Will you pray with me?
God of justice, you call us to stand for what is true even when it costs us something. We thank you for these gifts and for the generous hearts that offer them. Use what we give to strengthen those who speak truth to power and serve the vulnerable in your name. Amen.
Will you please stand as we sing together?
Benediction
Friends, this week you will face moments when speaking truth feels risky and staying silent feels safer. Remember: Jesus stood before Pilate and did not back down. Neither should you. Love boldly. Serve joyfully. Lead courageously.
Now go in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And all God’s people said… Amen!
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These worship elements are part of the Witnesses: Encountering Jesus When It Matters Mostseries at McPherson First United Methodist Church. New worship resources are published every Tuesday.