Fruitland United Methodist Church Tune in on your car radio 98.1FM October 26, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: Jim and Iran Trenkel Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements- Pastor Jorge and Holly *Call to Worship Leader: Praise the Lord, O my soul! People: We will praise the Lord as long as we live. Leader: God is sovereign and merciful, good and faithful. People: We see God’s hand at work in our lives. Leader: God brings new life out of death. People: We experience joy even amid suffering. Leader: Despair gives way to hope. People: Condemnation yields to redemption. Leader: Needs are met with abundance and grace. People: Healing comes out of sickness and pain. Leader: God’s providence is trustworthy and good. People: Praise the Lord! We will praise the Lord as long as we live! *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Gathering Song: “Gather Us In” TFWS 2236 Responsive Scripture – Psalm 63 – Leslie UMH 788 Time With Young Christians – Pastor Letha Adults, please write your prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow paper for collection. Time of Community Expressions Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World And now, we pray, as Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name . . . “ *Hymn – “I Need Thee Every Hour” TFWS 397 Invitation to Generosity Offertory *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture Reading: Joel 2: 23-32 Message: “It’s a God Thing” Pastor Letha *Sing: “We’ll Understand It Better By and By.” UMH 525 Benediction: Pastor Letha Postlude
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 Fruitland United Methodist Church October 19, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship . *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Hymn Scripture Reading Time With Young Christians – Pastor Jorge Time of Community Expressions Hymn Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World And now, we pray... *Hymn Invitation to Generosity- Pastor Jorge Offertory *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Sermon - Pastor Jorge “When God Knocks on the Door” Luke 18:1–8 Let’s imagine for a moment that we’re at a gathering of preachers. Someone suggests a game: “Let’s make a list of the parables we wish Jesus had never told.” Nervous laughter fills the room. Some mention the prodigal son—too scandalous. Others bring up the dishonest manager—too confusing. And someone, with a wry smile, says, “What about the unjust judge and the persistent widow?” Silence... Because that parable, the one in Luke 18, makes us uncomfortable. It confronts us. It leaves us with more questions than answers. Luke tells us that Jesus shared it “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” And that sounds good. Perseverance. Not giving up. Keep praying. But when we look closer, something unsettles us. The judge doesn’t fear God or respect anyone. The widow has no power, no influence, but she has something the judge can’t ignore: persistence. Day after day, she knocks on his door. Day after day, she demands justice. Until the judge, worn out, gives in. Not out of compassion. Not out of conviction. Out of convenience. And then Jesus says, “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” And here’s where many of us, if we’re honest, lower our gaze. because yes, sometimes God delays. Sometimes, painfully so. There are knees worn out from prayer. There are tears that have soaked the floors of our rooms. And there is no answer. No justice. Only silence. Was Jesus wrong? Or is there something more? “My ways are not your ways,” says Isaiah. “A thousand years are like a day,” says the psalmist. And we, trapped in time, want quick answers. But God is not bound by our clock. And it’s not our place to justify Him. Only to trust. So then, what do we do with this parable? Maybe we’ve understood it backwards. What if the widow isn’t us—but God? What if the unjust judge isn’t God—but us? What if God is the one knocking on our door, day after day, crying out for justice? What if we, out of fear, comfort, or prejudice, shut the door on Him? What if justice has already been declared, but we haven’t applied it? What if God has already answered, but we haven’t listened? This parable isn’t just about how to pray. It’s about how to live. Because prayer is action, and action is prayer. The widow prayed as she insisted. She prayed as she made others uncomfortable. She prayed as she demanded what was right. And we—how do we pray? Do we pray with our feet? With our hands? With our voice? With our heart? Persevering in prayer isn’t just repeating words. It’s knocking on doors. It’s advocating for the voiceless. It’s resisting injustice. It’s dismantling systems that sell justice to the highest bidder. And yes, we also need moments of silence. Of retreat. Of tears. But not to stay there. Rather, to emerge strengthened. To knock again. To insist again. Because we have a faith that does not give up. Amen. Hymn Pastoral Benediction Song of Blessing Postlude Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church Tune in on your car radio 98.1FM October 12, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements- Pastor Jorge and Letha *Call to Worship We are ten lepers, with scars and wounds—and hope for your healing touch. From our soul’s depths we raise our voices to you. “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” As we glimpse the grace you pour upon us, we thank you. *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Hymn: “Song of Hope” TFWS 2186 with guitar accompaniment. Scripture Reading – Psalm 66:8-20 – Letha UMH790 Time With Young Christians – Pastor Jorge Time of Community Expressions- Jorge and Letha Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World And now, we pray in the Celtic version of “Our Father:” Holy beyond all names, eternal spring, May love resurface in us today, With food for each table, refuge for each family, And reverence for every life. Forgive us our faults in love and free us from all falsehood. So that the light of our souls shines, And the strength of our spirit endures. For the Earth and all its people, this day, tonight, and always. AMEN *Hymn – “Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart” TFWS 2036 Invitation to Generosity- Pastor Jorge Offertory *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19, Pastor Jorge Message: “What Do You Say Now?” Pastor Jorge *Prayer of Confession Even when we are faithless, Christ remains faithful. Trusting in grace, let us confess our sins. Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. We keep our distance from you, For we are broken and sick with sin. Yet, you see us, and cleanse us and make us whole. Forgive us when we forget to return to you-- Have mercy when we fail to praise your name, and help us to exude the faith that makes us well. Amen Time of silence. Hear the good news: Your call has been answered. Christ has healed you, and forgives your sin. With glad hearts, return praise to God. Continue in silence. Hymn - “Bless the Lord” TFWS 2013 Pastoral Benediction: Rise and go on your way. Your faith has made you well. Walk in hope, live with gratitude, and trust in the power of Jesus, who makes you whole. In His name: Amen! Song of Blessing- “We Are Marching in the Light of God” TFWS 2235b Postlude Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church Tune in on your car radio 98.1FM October 5, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude- “My Jesus I Love Thee,” by Adoniram Gordon. Arranged by Larry Shackley. Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements: Pastor Jorge *Call to Worship- Leona We come carrying what the world has given us, But we seek what God longs to plant. We leave behind the old, and put on new life in Christ. Where the world says, “Store up,” God says, “Love.” Our treasure is in heaven. Come, Lord Jesus, transform our hearts! *Sharing the peace of Christ. “La paz de Christo sea contigo.” “And also with you.” *Hymn: “De Colores/ Sing of Colors” Insert Scripture Reading – Psalm 133 UMH 850 Please write down your prayer requests. They will be collected. Time With Young Christians – Pastor Jorge Time of Community Expressions Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Testimonios breves sobre inclusion, fe y comunidad Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and World *Hymn – “We Are One in Christ Jesus” TFWS 2229 Invitation to Generosity- Pastor Jorge Offertory- “Faith of our Fathers” by Henry Walton. *Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture Reading: Galatians 3: 26-29 Leona Message: “My Journey as a Hispanic Pastor in White Congregations” *Proclamation of the Hispanic Creed (Credo Hispano) Creemos en Dios/ We believe in God. Creador de cielos y tierra, de todos los pueblos y colores Creator of heaven and earth, of all peoples and colors. Creemos en Jesucristo/ We believe in Jesus Christ Dios encarnado en nuestra carne, nuestra cultura, nuestra historia God incarnate in our flesh, our culture, our story. Creemos en el Espiritu Santo/ We believe in the Holy Spirit, Quien nos da poder para amar, resistir y transformer. Who empowers us to love, resist, and transform. Creemos en la Iglesia/ We believe in the church, Una comunidad de muchos rostros, unida en al amor de Cristo. A community of many faces, united in Christ’s love. Creemos en el Reino de Dios / We believe in the Kingdom of God Donde todos los pueblos celebrant juntos la justicia y la paz. Where all peoples celebrate justice and peace together. Y porque creemos / And because we believe Nos comprometemos a vivir esta fe con Esperanza y accion. We commit to live this faith with hope and action. The Great Thanksgiving, Jorge and Letha The Lord be with you. Y tambien contigo, and also with you, Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Demos gracias al Senor nuestro Dios. 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 these 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 blesses the elements.) The Lord’s Prayer Song during Communion- “One Bread, One Body” UMH 620 *Benediction Pastor Jorge *Song of Blessing “Go Now in Peace” UMH 665 Postlude: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by William Runyan, arranged by Mariane Kim. |