 Fruitland United Methodist Church April 12, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Panis Angelicus” by Cesar Franck Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Rev. Letha Essinger & Leslie Ward Minute for Mission Leslie Ward *Pastoral Prayer Rev. Letha E. Call to Worship: Psalm 16:5-11 (read responsively) UMH 748 *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” UMH 158 Time with Young Christians Rev. Letha E. Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Rev. Letha E. & Leslie W. Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. Lord’s Prayer: Our Father and Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us 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 glory forever. Amen. *Congregational Song “Holy, Holy” TFWS 2039 Invitation to Generosity Rev. Letha E. Offertory: “In Remembrance of Me” by Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red *Doxology: “Breathe on Me Breath of God” by E. Hatch and R. Jackson Gospel Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Letha E. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God People: Thanks be to God *Congregational Song “ I Love to Tell the Story” UMH 156 Sermon: “BUT THE BIBLE SAYS” Pastor Letha *Affirmation of Faith (1 Timothy) UMH 889 Leader: There is one God and there is one mediator, Christ Jesus, who came as a ransom for all, to whom we testify. People: This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: That Jesus Christ came into the world so save sinners, and was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. Great indeed is the mystery of the gospel. Amen. *Congregational Song: “Lift High the Cross” UMH 159 *Benediction: Rev. Letha E. Postlude: “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant us Peace) Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]
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 Fruitland United Methodist Church April 5th, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Panis Angelicus” by Cesar Franck *Processional Hymn: Alleluia TFW 2078 Words of Welcome Rev. Jorge R. & Jay Whitcomb Easter Proclamation Beloved, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Our Savior is risen! Our Savior is risen indeed! Alleluia! Steadfast Love is risen! Steadfast Love is risen indeed! Alleluia! This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Alleluia! Today is a day of celebration! Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed! AMEN. *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (vs. 1-4) UMH #302 Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-43 Pew Bible Pg. 1710 Jay W. Easter Prayer Rev. Jorge R. This is the good new of our Lord Jesus Christ for all people. Glory to God! Amen. We are Easter people: Raise us to new life, O God! Amen. Children’s Moment (Story Time) *Hymn: Up From the Grave He Arose UMH #322 Chase V. Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 Pew Bible pg. 1834 Jay W. Offering & Invitation to Generosity Rev. Jorge R. Offertory: “Breathe on Me Breath of God” by E. Hatch and R. Jackson *Doxology: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95 Gospel Reading: John 20:1-18 Pew Bible pg. 1685 Jay W. *Congregational Song “ Christ Is Alive” UMH #318 Chase V. Sermon: “From Darkness to Light: Encounter and Transformation” Rev. Jorge R. John 20:1–18 It is still dark. Not only because the sun has not risen, but because the heart has not found light either. Mary Magdalene walks alone. Her steps are slow and heavy. Each step carries the weight of a lost love, of a broken hope, of a Friday that still hurts. She is not going looking for miracles. She is going to say goodbye one more time. And if we are honest, many of us know what that walk feels like. That inner dawn, when everything seems finished. When God is silent. When faith does not illuminate but simply keeps us company in the dark. Today, we walk with Mary. And perhaps, in her story, we discover our own. Mary arrives, and something is not right. The stone has been removed. But this does not bring hope. It brings confusion, fear, and desperation. She is not thinking about resurrection. She is thinking about loss again. “They have taken the Lord,” she says, almost out of breath. She runs. She searches. She asks. Because when life surprises us with something we do not understand, the first thing we do is not believe, but try to explain. How many times has this happened to us? Situations that do not make sense, doors that close, unexpected changes. And we ask, “Where is God in all of this?” The removed stone does not always feel like good news. Sometimes it feels like chaos. Peter and the other disciple run. They too are restless. They too are looking for answers. They arrive at the tomb and look. They see the linen cloths and the folded cloth. Everything is there, but nothing makes sense. The text tells us something profound: they had not yet understood the Scripture. They see, but they do not comprehend. They observe, but they do not fully believe. And this is so human. Many times we also see what God is doing, but we do not understand it in the moment. We see signs, but we do not know how to interpret them. We see changes, but we do not recognize God’s work in them. It takes more than physical eyes. It takes eyes of faith. And those often open slowly. Everyone leaves. But Mary stays. She weeps. And there is something sacred about that. Because sometimes, the place of the miracle is not where we run, but where we choose to remain, even when it hurts. She looks into the tomb and sees angels. But even that does not change her sorrow. Because when pain is deep, even the extraordinary is not enough. Then it happens. Someone is there. Jesus. But she does not recognize Him. She thinks He is the gardener. Because pain also clouds our vision. Until something simple happens, yet deeply transformative. Jesus says just one word: “Mary.” And in that moment, everything changes. The darkness breaks. The confusion fades. The grief is transformed. Because when Jesus calls your name, there is no doubt. There is no distance. There is no death that has the final word. Brothers and sisters, the story does not end with Mary. The story continues with us. Because the same risen Jesus is still calling names. Not loudly from the sky, but deep within the heart. In the middle of sorrow, in the middle of uncertainty, in the middle of unanswered questions, Jesus says your name. You are not just one more. You are not invisible. You are not forgotten. You are called. The question is not whether He speaks. The question is: are we listening? Do we recognize His voice in the middle of our tears? Are we willing to move from the tomb to testimony? Mary arrived weeping. She left proclaiming. She arrived in darkness. She left in light. She arrived looking for a body. She left proclaiming life. “I have seen the Lord.” That is faith. Not an idea. Not a theory. An encounter. And today, that same encounter is available. Because the resurrection is not only something that happened. It is something that is still happening. In lives that rise again. In hearts that believe again. In people who discover that the story does not end in the tomb. As Violeta Parra once said, “life itself is a song.” And today, Christ invites us to sing. To live. To proclaim. To say with Mary: “I have seen the Lord.” The Great Thanksgiving Rev. Letha E. & Pastor Jorge The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Pastor continues with the blessings of elements.... The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father and Mother, who art in heave, hallowed be thy name........ Service of Holy Communion *Hymn: One Bread, One Body UMH #620 *Benediction: May God’s abiding love and living hope give us new life. May God’s unmerited grace and mercy sustain us with hope. And may God’s restoring justice bring peace to all. For steadfast love is risen! Steadfast love is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen. *Song of Blessing: “Alleluia” (Honduras) TFWS 2078 Postlude: “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant us Peace) Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church
March 29, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) *Processional: Processional Start at Fruitland Park at 9:00am Hosana, Hosana, Hosana TFW 2109 Prelude: “Ride on, Ride on in Majesty!” St. Drostane tune arranged by John Dykes Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Pastor Jorge *Opening Prayer Holly K. Today, we join Jesus in the final ascent to Jerusalem, knowing the depths we will descend on our journey through Holy Week. Open the gates of righteousness, that we may come worship God! We join the disciples in declaring that Jesus, riding on a donkey, is our Ruler, the One who will bring peace and salvation for all. Open the gates of peace, that we may come worship God! We join with the bystanders who questioned and wondered who this Jesus really is, who feared the consequences of angering the powers that be. Open the gates of truth, that we may come worship God! The journey through Holy Week brings us face-to-face with the stark reality of sin and God’s faithfulness to save. Open the gates of salvation, that we may come worship God whose steadfast love never fails! *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “This is the Day” UMH 658 Scripture Reading: Psalm 118 14-29 UMH 839 Holly K. Time with Young Christians Pastor Jorge Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Holly Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. Lord’s Prayer: Our Father and Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us 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 glory forever. Amen. *Congregational Song “Bless the Lord, My Soul” TTFWS 2013 Invitation to Generosity Rev. Jorge R. Offertory: “In Remembrance of Me” by Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red *Doxology: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 94 Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40 Holly K. *Congregational Song “ Glory to God” TFWS 2033 Sermon: “Who Is This King Who Comes?” Pastor Jorge Rodriguez Luke 19:28–40 There are days that feel ordinary, and then there are days when something in the air tells you that this is not like any other day. Jerusalem woke up that morning with that feeling. At first, it was just a whisper. Someone said, “He’s near.” Another replied, “Who?” And then the name began to move through the streets like wind: “Jesus... Jesus of Nazareth... the one who heals... the one who speaks with authority...” Suddenly, the city began to stir. Imagine the scene: dust rising from the road, people stepping out of their homes, children running ahead, laughing, not fully understanding but sensing that something important is happening. And then they see Him. But something feels different. Because this is not how kings arrive. There is no war horse, no shining armor, no soldiers clearing the way. Instead, there is a donkey—a simple, ordinary donkey—and on it, Jesus. Some in the crowd look at each other, confused. Others begin to shout anyway: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” It is not a battle cry. It is a pilgrim song. A worship song. Among the crowd, there are many faces. A child runs ahead, smiling without fear. A man stands with his arms crossed, wondering, “Could this really be the one?” A woman holds onto hope, thinking, “If he healed others, maybe he can heal my life too.” And others are simply watching, curious and unsure. Where would we be in that crowd? Running with joy? Watching from a distance? Or blending in, saying the words without really knowing why? Jesus keeps moving forward—slowly and peacefully. Without saying a word, He is already declaring what His kingdom looks like: not built on fear, not enforced by violence, not defended by swords, but carried in humility. Some in the crowd must have felt disappointed. They were hoping for a strong leader, a powerful revolution, a king who would overthrow Rome. Instead, they see a man on a donkey. And that tension still exists today. Because we also want a certain kind of king who solves our problems quickly, who takes our side, who defeats our enemies. But Jesus comes differently. He comes not to destroy, but to transform. Not to dominate, but to love. The noise grows louder. Voices everywhere: cloaks on the ground, branches in the air. “Blessed is the king!” It sounds beautiful. But Jesus knows how quickly voices can change. Some of these same voices, in just a few days, will shout, “Crucify him!” Not everyone in the crowd understands. Some are there out of excitement, others out of curiosity, others out of hope. But perhaps there is a woman who truly believes. She does not shout the loudest, but in her heart she whispers, “This is the one.” Perhaps there is a child looking at Jesus with wonder, seeing something real that others are missing. Why do we follow Jesus? Is it habit? Tradition? Need? Or is it trust? Jesus continues moving forward—toward Jerusalem, toward the cross, toward everything this moment will become. When the Pharisees say, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples,” Jesus responds, “If they keep silent, the stones will cry out.” This moment cannot be stopped. This King cannot be ignored. And now the procession is not just in Jerusalem. It is here—in our lives, in our homes, in our hearts. Jesus still comes, not forcing, not demanding, but inviting. Today, like that crowd, we must choose. Will we just watch? Will we repeat the words? Or will we truly receive this King? Where are you in this procession? Among the curious? The uncertain? Distracted? Or among those who say, “Lord, I may not understand everything, but I trust you”? Because this King who comes does not come to take power—He comes to give life. And the invitation is still open: to walk with Him, to trust Him, to follow Him-- even when He rides a donkey, and not a war horse. *Prayer of Commitment: In the middle of the celebrations – shouted Hosannas, the excitement of the gathered crowd, the palm branches lifted high – there remains this simple truth: you come in love to set us free, and you pay a very high price. May we commit ourselves to following in your Way of Love, not only on days of celebration and thanksgiving, but through the difficult days as well. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen. *Congregational Song: “King of Kings” TFWS 2075 *Benediction: Friends, Go forth humbly to serve the God whose love endures forever. Go forth in the name of the Christ who entered Jerusalem on a lowly donkey. Go forth in the strength of the Holy Spirit that calls us to rejoice in this very day God has made. God’s love endures forever. *Song of Blessing: “Sent Out in Jesus Name” TFWS 2184 Postlude: “All Glory, Laud and Honor St. Theodulph tune, arranged by Lani Smith For those who wish to use online giving: 
Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church March 22, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “To God be the Glory” by William Doane Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Pastor Jorge *Call to Worship Leona W. Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our voices. When our hearts are heavy and hope seems far away, We wait for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning. God does not abandon us in the depths. With the Lord there is mercy and abundant redemption. Come, let us worship the One who calls us from death to life. We come to worship God. *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “Shine, Jesus Shine” TFWS 2173 Scripture Reading :Psalm 130 (Read responsively.) UMH 848 Leona W. Time with Young Christians Pastor Jorge Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Leona Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by they name...” *Hymn: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” UMH 474 Invitation to Generosity Rev. Jorge R. Offertory: “In the Garden” by Austen Miles *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 All that we have is a gift from God. Let us offer our gifts with grateful hearts. Gospel Reading: John 11:1-45 Leona W. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” TFWS 2088 Sermon: “Out of the Depths... Remove the Stone” Rev. Jorge R. There are moments in life when words rise from the deepest places of the soul. They are not elegant words. They are not carefully prepared speeches. They are cries. Psalm 130 begins with one of those cries: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” It does not say from peace. It does not say from comfort. It says from the depths. The Bible calls this psalm one of the “Songs of Ascents,” songs that the people sang as they went up to Jerusalem to encounter God. It is interesting: the song begins below, in the depths, but the movement of the psalm is upward. Because faith often begins this way: at the bottom of the well. Our Depths: All of us know the depths: the depths of fear, the depths of exhaustion of the soul, the depths of guilt, the depths of injustice, the depths of a world filled with noise, violence, and division. There are personal depths: illness, loneliness, grief, questions that have no answers. But there are also collective depths: the depths of a society that forgets the poor, the depths of communities where some are treated as strangers, the depths of systems that turn people into scapegoats—people who are blamed, rejected, ignored. And yet the psalm teaches us something profound: even from there we can pray. Even from there we can cry out. Even from there we can hope. The psalmist says: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Biblical hope does not begin when everything is fine. Hope begins when we are in the depths and still call upon God. A Sealed Tomb: In the Gospel of John, we find another story that also begins in the depths. Lazarus has died. The house is filled with grief. The sisters are weeping. The community is mourning. And when Jesus arrives, Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days. For the people of that time, that meant everything was finished: no hope, no possibility, no return. Death seemed final. How many times do we feel the same? When a relationship breaks. When a community becomes divided. When injustice seems too strong. When we feel that something is dead and cannot live again. But then Jesus comes to the tomb and gives a strange command. Jesus says: “Remove the stone.” It is curious. Jesus could have performed the miracle without help. He could have moved the stone with a word. But he does not. Jesus invites the community to participate. “Remove the stone.” It is as if he were saying: I will bring life. But you must open the way. And Martha responds with a very human objection: “Lord... by now there is a bad odor.” In other words: “It is too late.” Jesus insists. Remove the stone. The Stones of Our Time: The question of the Gospel is not only historical. It is deeply present. What stones block life today? What stones prevent people from hearing God’s invitation? What stones keep people trapped in the tomb? Perhaps they are stones of fear. Perhaps they are stones of prejudice. Perhaps they are stones of religious legalism that forget mercy. Stones that prevent us from building community. Stones that make us forget that our neighbor is the image of God. Stones that prevent us from seeing Christ in those who suffer, in the forgotten, in the ignored. Because the Gospel reminds us of something radical: those who suffer, the marginalized, the discarded of the world are the face of Christ for us. And as long as those stones remain, the tomb stays closed. When the Stone Moves: But when the stone moves, something new happens. Jesus cries out: “Lazarus, come out!” And the one who had been dead comes out—still wrapped in burial cloths, still marked by the tomb, but alive. Then Jesus gives another command to the community: “Unbind him and let him go.” Because the life that God gives is not simply survival. It is liberation. A Call to the Church: The Gospel leaves us with a powerful question: If Jesus is still calling people to life, what stones must the church remove today? -Stones that block grace. -Stones that block forgiveness. Stones that block reconciliation. Stones that block the possibility of a community where everyone has a place. Because the Kingdom of God is not built on sealed tombs. It is built when someone has the courage to hear Christ saying: Remove the stone of fear. Remove the stone of hatred. Remove the stone of prejudice. Remove the stone of indifference. From the Depths to Life: Psalm 130 begins by saying: “Out of the depths I cry to you.” But it does not end there. It ends in hope: “For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.” That is the movement of faith: From the depths... to hope. From the tomb... to life. From the stone... to resurrection. Conclusion: Today Christ still says to his people: Remove the stone. Remove what blocks life. Remove what blocks grace. Remove what prevents the children of God from living with dignity. Because when the stone moves, the voice of Christ is heard. And when the voice of Christ is heard, the dead begin to walk. And then the church discovers its true mission: to be a community that helps others come out of the depths into life. Amen. *Prayer of Confession: Let us come before God in humility and confession. Merciful God, we confess that many times we live as if the stones of fear, prejudice, and indifference were stronger than your life-giving power. We confess that we sometimes close our heart to those who suffer. We ignore the cries of those who live in the depths. We fail to recognize Christ in the forgotten and the marginalized. Forgive us, O Lord. Remove the stones that block compassion in our lives. Remove the stones that keep us from building community. Remove the stones that prevent us from loving our neighbor. Call us again from the tombs of fear and indifference. Unbind us from what holds us captive. Through your grace, make us people who bring life, hope, and mercy to the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen Words of Assurance: Hear the good news: “With the Lord there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130) In Jesus Christ, God calls us out of the tomb and into life. People: Thanks be to God. Amen. *Closing Hymn: “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” TFWS 2026 Benediction: Go now in peace. When you find yourself in the depths, remember: God hears your cry. When you encounter stones that block life, remember Christ’s command: “Remove the Stone.” Go and help bring life where there is despair, hope where there is darkness, and love where there is fear. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen *Song of Blessing: “We Are Marching in the Light of God,” TFWS 2235-b Postlude: “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church March 15, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” by Charles Wesley and Carl Glaser Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Pastor Jorge Welcome to worship at Fruitland United Methodist Church. During this season of Lent we are walking together through a series called “Come and See.” Lent is a time to return, to open our hearts again to God, and to rediscover the light of Christ in our lives. Today we are reminded that Christ comes to open our eyes and lead us from darkness into light. *Call to Worship Liturgist Come and see what God has done. God opens our eyes to the light of grace. When we walk through dark valleys, God is with us. The Lord is our shepherd; we shall not want. Christ calls us out of blindness into new life. We come to worship the One who gives us sight. All: Let us worship God with grateful hearts. *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “You Are My Hiding Place” TFWS 2055 Scripture Reading : Psalm 23 (Read responsively.) UMH 754 Time with Young Christians Jorge R. Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Liturgist Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by they name...” *Hymn: “Open Our Eyes” TFWS 2086 Invitation to Generosity Rev. Jorge R. Offertory: “The Lord is my Shephard” by Jesse Irvine *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 All that we have is a gift from God. Let us offer our gifts with grateful hearts. Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41 Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn “Open My Eyes, That I May See” UMH 454 Sermon: “Come and See: When God Opens Our Eyes” Rev. Jorge R. John 9:1–41 Our Lenten series this year has been an invitation: “Come and see.” Lent is a season of returning—returning to God and rediscovering our own hearts in the light of God’s grace. In today’s Gospel we encounter a man who had never seen the light. He was blind from birth. Imagine living your entire life in darkness—never seeing the face of your mother, never seeing the colors of the sky, never witnessing the beauty of the sunrise. When Jesus and his disciples saw this man, the disciples asked a question that sounds very religious: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Their question reflects something very common in human thinking: the desire to explain suffering by blaming someone. But Jesus changes the focus. He says, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned... this happened so that the works of God might be revealed.” Instead of searching for blame, Jesus brings hope and transformation. Jesus makes mud, places it on the man’s eyes, and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeys. He washes. And suddenly, for the first time in his life, he sees. It is a miracle. Yet the surprising part of the story is not the miracle itself. The surprising part is how people react to it. The neighbors begin to argue: “Isn’t this the man who used to beg?” Some believe it is him; others say it cannot be. The man simply keeps saying, “I am the one.” When God transforms a life, people sometimes struggle to believe it. Society often becomes comfortable seeing someone in suffering, and when that person changes, grows, or is restored, it can make others uncomfortable. The man is brought before the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. Instead of celebrating the miracle, they focus on something else: Jesus performed this healing on the Sabbath. They begin questioning the man: “How did he open your eyes?” The man answers simply, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and now I see.” But some of the Pharisees insist that Jesus cannot be from God because he broke the Sabbath rules. In that moment we see a tragic irony: a man who was blind can now see, but those who claim spiritual authority cannot recognize the work of God in front of them. The man eventually responds with one of the most powerful testimonies in the Gospel: “One thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see.” He does not offer a theological argument. He simply shares his experience. Sometimes the experience of God’s grace speaks louder than religious debate. In the end, the religious leaders expel the man from the community. But Jesus seeks him out once again. When Jesus finds him and asks if he believes, the man responds with faith and worship. Jesus then says something profound: “I came into this world so that those who do not see may see, and those who think they see may become blind.” This story is not only about a man who was physically blind. It is also about spiritual vision. At times we may find ourselves like the blind man—needing God to open our eyes. But at other times we may resemble the Pharisees—people who know religion but fail to see what God is doing. Lent invites us to look again. To see differently. To open our hearts to the transforming work of God. Jesus continues to walk among us. He continues to notice those others overlook. He continues to touch lives and open eyes. The question for each of us is simple: Do we want to see? Because when God opens the eyes of the soul, life is never the same again. Amen. *Prayer of Confession: Merciful God, you are the light of the world, yet we confess that we often choose darkness. We become comfortable with what we already know. We cling to our opinions and fail to see the new work you are doing among us. Forgive us when our hearts are closed. Forgive us when our religion becomes more about rules than about compassion. Forgive us when we fail to rejoice in the healing and transformation of others. Open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see your grace at work in our lives and in the world. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Hear the good news: Christ comes into the world so that those who do not see may see. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, renewed, and called into the light. Thanks be to God. *Closing Hymn: “Amazing Grace” UMH 378 Benediction: Go now in peace. May the Lord who is our Shepherd guide your steps. May Christ open your eyes to the light of grace. And may the Holy Spirit lead you in faith, hope, and love. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen. *Song of Blessing: “Go Now in Peace,” UMH 665 Postlude: “Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley” American folk song Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church March 8, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” by William Williams and John Hughes Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Pastor Jorge and Letha E. Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Today we gather as people who thirst for God. In a world full of noise and division, God invites us again to listen. *Call to Worship Letha E. Come, let us sing to the Lord. Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving. Let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise. For the Lord is a great God. The maker of heaven and earth. Today, if you hear God’s voice May we not harden our hearts. Come, let us worship the Lord our God. Let us worship with open hearts. *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” UMH 400 Scripture Reading : Psalm 95 Letha E. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Time with Young Christians Jorge R. Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Letha E. Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. *Hymn: “Father, I Adore You” TFWS 2038 Scripture Reading: Exodus 17:1-7 Letha E. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Invitation to Generosity Pastor Jorge Offertory: “I love you Lord” by Laurie Klein *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 All that we have is a gift from God. Let us offer our gifts with grateful hearts. Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42 Letha E. Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn “You Who Are Thirsty” TFWS 2132 Sermon: “If Today You Hear His Voice” Rev. Jorge R. John 4:5–45 Psalm 95 There are places where people no longer speak to each other. Neighborhoods where invisible lines divide. Countries where borders become wounds. Families where an unfinished conversation becomes a heavy silence. Sometimes there are no gunshots. But there is distance. And distance can wound the human spirit just as deeply. In the Gospel of John, Jesus walks into one of those places. The text says: “He had to pass through Samaria.” It was not the shortest road. It was a decision. Because peace rarely begins by avoiding conflict. Peace begins when someone is willing to walk into difficult spaces with a different heart. For generations Jews and Samaritans avoided each other. Their history was long, bitter, religious, and political. And in that tense territory Jesus stops at a well. He is tired. He is thirsty. He sits down. Then a Samaritan woman arrives. And Jesus breaks the silence with a simple request: “Give me a drink.” It sounds like an ordinary sentence. But in that moment, it was revolutionary. A Jewish man speaking to a Samaritan woman. A rabbi crossing a social boundary. A religious teacher speaking to someone whose life had been marked by questions and wounds. Peace sometimes begins with something very small: “Give me a drink.” Not accusation. Notjudgment. Just a request that recognizes the dignity of the other. Psalm 95 gives a warning: “If today you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” The woman could have hardened her heart. She could have answered with sarcasm, with resentment, with the weight of centuries of conflict. But she doesn’t walk away. Instead, she keeps listening. She listens when Jesus speaks about living water. She listens when the conversation touches her personal story. She listens when Jesus speaks about worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Hardness of heart is a choice. Openness is also a choice. Wars begin when hearts stop listening. Peace begins when someone decides to listen again. The Samaritan woman was not perfect. Her story was complicated. Many people in her town probably judged her. But after meeting Jesus, the Gospel tells us something beautiful: “Then the woman left her water jar.” That jar represented her daily routine, her burden, her need. But she had encountered living water. And she runs back to the town and says: “Come, see a man who told me everything I have ever done.” She does not preach a theological lecture. She simply tells her story. And many believed because of her testimony. Peace is not only built by presidents or powerful leaders. Peace often begins with ordinary people whose hearts have been changed. Psalm 95 repeats the invitation: “If today you hear his voice...” Today. Not tomorrow. Not when everything is clear. Today. Jesus still walks through Samaria. He still crosses cultural boundaries. He still sits beside the wells of our lives. And he still speaks. The real question is not whether God speaks. The real question is whether we are willing to listen without hardening our hearts. The Samaritan woman rebuilt a bridge. She returned to her community carrying a message that invited people to come together. And today the church is called to do the same. In a world where fear grows easily and differences become excuses for conflict, Jesus shows another way: to sit, to listen, to speak truth with grace, and to announce hope. Working for peace does not mean ignoring injustice. It means confronting injustice without allowing hatred to rule our hearts. Perhaps today we are like the Samaritan woman: thirsty, full of questions, carrying our own stories. Or perhaps we are like the town: tired, skeptical, used to division. But the Psalm says: “If today you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Jesus is still at the well. He is still asking for water. And he is still offering living water. May we not harden our hearts. May we leave behind the jar of prejudice. And may we, like that Samaritan woman, run to share the good news: “I have met the one who can transform my story.” And from that encounter, may we live and work for peace. Amen. Prayer of Confession: Merciful God, you are the source of living water, yet we often come to you with hardened hearts. We doubt when we should trust and forget the ways you have cared for us. Forgive us, Lord. Break the hardness within us and open our hearts to your grace. Let your living water renew our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Closing Hymn: “Sent Out In Jesus Name” TFWS 2184 Benediction: Go into the world with open hearts. Listen for the voice of God. Receive the living water of Christ. And be people who build bridges of peace. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. *Song of Blessing: “Halle, Halle, Halleluja,” TFWS 2026 Postlude: “Rescue the Perishing” by Fanny Crosby Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church March 1, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “To God be the Glory,” by William Doane Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Pastor Jorge and Liturgist Misson Moment by Mary Odom *Call to Worship Liturgist There are questions that come at night. And there is a God who meets us there. God calls us to places we cannot yet see. And promises to walk with us. The Spirit blows where it will. We open our hearts to be born again. All: We come to worship the God of promise, love, and new beginnings. *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision” UMH 451 Scripture Reading I: Psalm 121 (Read Responsively) UMH 844 Reader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Time with Young Christians Leslie Ward Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Liturgist Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. *Hymn: “In His Time” TFWS 2203 Scripture Reading II: Genesis 12:1-4 (Read Responsively) UMH 844 Invitation to Generosity Pastor Jorge Offertory: “If you could Hie to Kolob” English tune arranged by Ralph Vaughn Williams *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 Scripture Reading III: John 3:1-17 (Read Responsively) UMH 844 *Hymn: “Give Thanks” TFWS 2033 Sermon: “At the Doorway: Like Abraham, Like Nicodemus” Rev. Jorge Rodriguez There are questions that come at night. Not always because it is dark outside, but because something is dark inside. Nicodemus went out at night. We do not know exactly what he wanted to ask. We do not know what he had prepared in his mind. Maybe an argument. Maybe a trap. Maybe an elegant conversation between teachers. But Jesus did not allow him to set the agenda. Nicodemus begins with religious courtesy: “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God...”And before he finishes his introduction, Jesus interrupts him: “You must be born again.” It was not the question Nicodemus had asked. But it was the question his soul needed. In the Book of Genesis 12, God says to Abram: “Go... to the land that I will show you.” He does not show him the map. He does not hand him the itinerary. He does not give him GPS coordinates. Only a promise, and Abram went. That is all the text says: “So Abram went.” Without guarantees, without a signed contract. without knowing how the story would end. He went. In the Gospel of John 3, Nicodemus is also standing at a doorway. He does not have to leave his land. He has to leave his system. He wants to understand. He wants to control the Spirit. He wants the formula. “How can a man be born when he is old?” He wants the method. He wants the procedure. He wants to know what work must be done. But Jesus offers him a gift, not a task. And in the middle of confusion, in the middle of the night, in the middle of misunderstanding, the brightest promise appears: “For God so loved the world...” “Por eso Dios amo al mundo” That is not a formula. It is a gift. Si es un regalo. Here is the tension. We want to make our way into the kingdom. We want to earn our place; we want to do something that secures the result. Nicodemus wanted to do. Abram simply believed. Paul will later say that Abraham is the example. Not because he worked harder. Not because he obeyed perfectly. But because he trusted. Believing is not work. It is a direction. It is stepping out when God says “Go,” even if we do not know where. It is accepting being born again even if we do not understand how. Jesus could have said to Nicodemus: Now you are Abraham. You are standing at the doorway of a new life.” You do not have to climb back into the womb. You must release control; you do not have to produce the Spirit. You must let the Spirit blow, you do not have to earn God’s love, you must receive it. The same God who called Abram is the God who calls into existence things that do not exist. He calls hope where there is fear, He calls faith where there is doubt. He calls it “there is” where there is exclusion, He calls life where there seemed to be death. We are no longer defined by flesh. We are not defined by the law, we are not defined by performance, we are defined by the Spirit. We are family not by blood, but by promise. Each of us lives at that moment. A moment when God says: “Go.” A moment when Christ says: “Be born.” And we want to ask: “How?” “Where?” “With what guarantees?” But faith does not begin with answers. It begins with trust. Abraham walked. Nicodemus listened. And we are standing at the same doorway. We move forward in the journey of our lives guided by this promise: The promise of presence. The promise of acceptance. The promise of grace. We do not work to enter. We walk because we have already been loved. We are not born again by effort. We are reborn because God loved first. And when God says “Go” ... even if it is night... we go. Amen. *Affirmation of Faith (Responsive) Do you trust the God who calls you to go? We trust, even when we do not see the whole way. Do you believe in the Spirit who gives new birth? We believe, even when we do not understand how. Do you receive the love God has already given? We receive it with gratitude and faith. Invitation to the Table: Christ invites to this table not those who have it all figured out, not those who have earned their place, but those who trust the promise. Like Abraham, we come in faith. Like Nicodemus, we come with questions. Like children, we come ready to receive. The Great Thanksgiving (Brief Form): The Lord be with you. And also, with you. Lift up your hearts. We liftthem up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Words of Institution: On the night in which he gave himself for us, Jesus took bread...broke it... and said, “This is my body...” He took the cup... “This is my blood of the new covenant...” Prayer of Consecration: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here and on these gifts of bread and cup. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world people of promise, people of new birth, people who walk in trust. Amen Father’s Prayer: Sharing of the Elements (Music during distribution) “One Bread, One Body” UMH 620 Prayer After Communion : Gracious God, you have fed us not because we earned it but because you loved us first. Send us now into the world as people who walk in faith, who trust the promise, who receive the gift. Amen. *Closing Hymn: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” Benediction: You stand at a doorway. God says, “Go.” You may not see the map. You may not understand the how. But you are already loved. You are already called. You are already made new. Go in trust. Go in grace. Go even if it is night. Amen Postlude: “Lead on O King Eternal,” by Ernest Shurtleff and Henry Stuart Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church February 22, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Holly K. & Jorge R. *Call to Worship Holly K. Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord does not count against them. When we kept silent, our bones wasted away. But when we confessed, God forgave us. In the wilderness, Christ was tempted yet remained faithful. In our weakness, God is our strength. Let us worship the Lord, our refuge and our Redeemer. *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “You Are My Hiding Place” TFWS 2055 Scripture: Psalm 32 UMH 766 (Read responsively) Holly K. Time With Young Christians Pastor Jorge Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notes, to be collected. Community Expressions Jorge & Holly K. Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let Us Pray The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name . . .” *Hymn: Amazing Grace! How Sweet The Sound UMC #378 Scripture Reading: Romans 5:12-19 Holly K. Invitation to Generosity Rev Jorge R Offertory: “It’s Me, It’s Me O Lord” African-American spiritual *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 Dedication Prayer: All we have is gift. All we give is gratitude. Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 Holly K. *Hymn: “Lord, I Lift Your Name On High” TFWS 2088 Sermon: “When the Soul Is Silent.... And When the Devil Whispers” Rev. Jorge R. Psalm 32 | Matthew 4:1–11 There is a kind of silence that makes the soul sick. The psalmist writes, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away.” This is not the silence of peace. It is the silence of hidden guilt. The silence of pretending. The silence of carrying something too heavy for the heart. Many of us know that silence. We smile on the outside, but inside something aches. Psalm 32 reminds us that freedom begins with honesty. When David confessed, he discovered grace: “You forgave the guilt of my sin.” Confession is not humiliation. It is liberation. Matthew 4 takes us into another kind of silence — the wilderness. Jesus is alone. Hungry. Weak. And in that quiet place, a voice whispers: “If you are the Son of God...” Temptation always questions identity. It whispers doubt before it offers shortcuts. Turn stones into bread. Prove yourself. Take power the easy way. Bread. Prestige. Power. Jesus refuses to negotiate who He is. He answers with trust in God’s Word. In the wilderness, Jesus chooses faithfulness. Here is the good news for us: Most of us live somewhere between Psalm 32 and Matthew 4. Sometimes we resist. Sometimes we fall. But grace meets us in both places. When we are tempted, God strengthens us. When we fail, God forgives us. Temptation says, “Hide.” The Spirit says, “Return.” And the blessing is not for the perfect. It is for the forgiven. Today we are invited to ask: Where am I staying silent? Which voice am I listening to? The silence of guilt drains the soul. Confession restores it. The whisper of temptation divides the heart. The Word of God anchors it. We are not defined by our temptation. We are not defined by our failure. We are defined by grace. Rejoice in the Lord. There is forgiveness. There is strength. There is hope. Amen. *Prayer of Confession: Merciful God, When we remain silent about our sin, our hearts grow heavy. Forgive us when we hide. Forgive us when we justify. Forgive us when we doubt who we are in You. In moments of temptation, we do not always stand firm. Restore us through Your mercy. Remind us that we are Your children. Free us through Your grace. (Silent Prayer) Words of Assurance Pastor Jorge R. Hear the good news: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven. In Jesus Christ, We are forgiven, restored, and strengthened. Thanks be to God! Amen. Closing Hymn: “Grace Alone” TFWS 2162 Benediction: Go into the wilderness knowing you are not alone. When temptation whispers, remember who you are. When guilt weighs heavy, remember there is grace. May the God who forgives, the Christ who strengthens, and the Spirit who sustains go with you this week. Amen. Postlude: Lord, Dismiss us with Thy Blessing by John Fawcett Pastor Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church February 15, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Leona W. & Jorge R. *Call to Worship Leona Whitcomb The Lord calls us from the heights of the mountain. We come to listen to the voice of God. God declares, “You are my beloved Son.” We recognize Christ as Lord of our lives. God says, “Listen to him.” We open our ears, our hearts, and our will. Let us come to worship the God who reveals divine glory And sends us into the world in love. Amen *Sharing the Peace of Christ. *Opening Hymn: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” TFWS 2173 Scripture: Psalm 2 Leona W. Time With Young Christians Pastor Jorge Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notes, to be collected. Community Expressions Jorge & Leona W. Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let Us Pray The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name . . .” Scripture Reading: Exodus 24:12-18 Hymn: How Great Is Our God TFWS #3003 Invitation to Generosity Rev Jorge R Offertory: “Open the eyes of my heart” by Paul Baloche *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 Gospel Reading: Matthew 17: 1-9 Leona W. *Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord” UMH 593 Sermon: “Listen to Him: When God Speaks from the Mountain” Rev. Jorge R. Mathew 17 1-9 There are moments in life when we wish time could stand still— moments so clear, so bright, so full of meaning that we think, “I wish this could last forever.” Here in Fruitland, we know those moments well. Sometimes they come quietly: a sunrise over the fields, a conversation around the church kitchen table, a prayer whispered during a long workday, or a Sunday morning when the hymns sound stronger and hope feels closer. Peter knows that feeling. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. He doesn’t explain much. Jesus often walks first and explains later. On that mountain something happens that none of them expect. Jesus changes. His face shines. His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear—the Law and the Prophets, the whole story of God’s people standing with Jesus. Peter, being Peter, doesn’t know what to say, but he says something: “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three shelters.” It’s an honest and human response. It sounds like us sometimes: “This feels safe. This is familiar. Let’s stay right here.” In a community like Fruitland, that makes sense. We value stability, relationships, tradition, and taking care of one another. But then the most important moment comes. A cloud covers them, and a voice speaks—not Peter’s, not Moses’, not Elijah’s, but God’s: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” Psalm 2 had said it long before: “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” God is not offering advice; God is revealing identity. Jesus is not just a teacher, not just a prophet, not just a powerful spiritual experience. He is God’s beloved Son. And God does not say, “Admire him,” or “Build something permanent here,” or “Stay on the mountain.” God says something far more demanding: “Listen to him.” Listening is harder than watching. Watching keeps us comfortable; listening calls us to respond. The story does not end on the mountain. It ends on the way down. They do not stay. They return to the crowds, the questions, and the needs of the world. Church is a safe place—but it is also a sending place. The voice from the cloud is still clear: “Listen to him.” May God give us ears to listen, hearts ready to obey, and feet willing to walk wherever Jesus leads. Amen. Prayer of Confession: God of light and glory, we confess that many times we prefer to speak rather than listen, to build shelters rather than follow Jesus, and to remain comfortable on the mountain instead of descending into the valley of human pain. Forgive us when we ignore your voice and fail to listen to your Son. Turn us back to you, so that we may be transformed and sent in love. Amen. Words of Assurance...... Pastor Jorge R. Hear the good news: The voice that spoke from the cloud is still speaking today with grace. In Christ we are forgiven, restored, and called to walk in God’s light. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. People: Thanks be to God! Amen. Closing Hymn: “ Sent Out In Jesus’ Name” TFWS 2184 Pastoral Benediction: Brothers and sisters, you have seen the glory of Christ, you have heard the voice of God. Now come down from the mountain to listen to Jesus in the cries of the world and to follow him faithfully. Go in peace. Amen. Song of Blessing: We Are Marching in The Light Of God Postlude: O How He Loves You And Me by Kurt Kaiser Pastor Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church February 8, 2026 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Down by the Riverside,” an African-American spiritual. Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements Chase *Call to Worship Letha Beloved, what worship does God desire of us? To do justice, love kindness, and live humbly with God. In our life together as the body of Christ, what worship does God desire of us? To do justice, love kindness, and live humbly with God. When we share the good news with all creation, what worship does God desire of us? To do justice, love kindness, and live humbly with God. Come, let us worship God with justice, kindness, and humility! We come to worship God with our voices and our lives. Thanks be to God! Amen. *Opening Hymn: “Marching to Zion” UMH 733 *Sharing the Peace of Christ. Scripture: Psalms 112: 1-10 Read responsively with Letha UMH 833 Time with Young Christians Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected. Community Expressions Chase and Letha Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World Let us pray. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name . . .” *Hymn: “They’ll Know We Are Christians” TFWS 2223 Invitation to Generosity Offertory: “Be Thou My Vision,” arranged by Ellen Foncannon *Doxology: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16 Letha Matthew 5: 13-20 Chase *Hymn: “My Hope is Built” UMH 368 Sermon: “Wisdom of the Elders” Chase Van Weerdhuizen *Unison Prayer All Heavenly Father, You have called us to be the salt that preserves goodness and the light that shines in the darkness. Help us to live in such a way that our words bring healing, our actions reflect Your truth, and our presence points others toward Your love. Lord Jesus, You fulfilled the Law perfectly, showing us that true righteousness flows from a heart surrendered to God. Teach us to walk in Your ways—not out of duty alone, but out of deep devotion. Let our lives be a testimony that honors You in both the smallest choices and the greatest challenges. Holy Spirit, strengthen us to stand firm in faith, to shine brightly even when the world grows dim, and to season every moment with grace. May our lives glorify the Father, so that others may see and be drawn to His kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. *Song of Blessing: “Sanctuary” 2 times. TFWS 2164 Benediction: Chase Postlude: “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” by H. Ernest Nichol |