 Fruitland United Methodist Church November 30, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “See, What a Morning!” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship First Sunday of Advent Something stirs deep within us A longing, a hope A thirst for joy, A hunger for peace, A yearning for blessing. We know deep within That our hopes and fears Will be met by angel songs and baby sighs. It is Advent Come, Lord Jesus, come. *Sharing the peace of Christ. We Light the First Candle of Advent. *Sing: “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” UMH 196 *Luke 1, “Mary’s Song of Praise” UMH 199 Time With Young Christians – Pastor Letha (Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected.) Time of Community Expressions Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and The World And now, we pray in the way that Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven . . . “ *Hymn – “People, Look East” UMH 202 Invitation to Generosity – Pastor Offertory “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture Reading: James 5: 7-10 Pew Bible p. 1885 Sermon: “Wait for it, Brace Yourself.” *Unison Prayer: May our waiting not be in vain, O God. May we watch with vigor, listen with patience, anticipate with hope – and when the time comes that your Son is to be delivered, may gladness fill our hearts. Amen. *Hymn: “Like a Child” TFWS 2092 Benediction Postlude: “Marching to Zion” If needing pastoral care while Pastor Jorge is out of town, you may contact Chip Johnson, pastor of Payette UMC. His phone is 208-546-9137.
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 Fruitland United Methodist Church November 23, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Thanksgiving Celebration” Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Lord, your kingdom comes closer every day. Help us to build it stone by stone. Lord, your garden grows abundantly. Give us the tools to care for your creation. Lord, we thank you for your creation, from the smallest quarks to the largest galaxies. Help us to see beyond ourselves and experience your universal love. *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Sing: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” UMH 140 Psalm 100- Roxie Tolbert UMH 821 Time With Young Christians – Pastor (Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected.) Time of Community Expressions Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and The World And now, we pray in the way that Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven . . . " *Hymn – “His Eye is on the Sparrow” TFWS 2146 Invitation to Generosity – Pastor Offertory “Children of the Heavenly Father” by Swedish Medlody, arranged by F. Bock *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-14 Sermon: “Hope is Possible All the Time.” *Prayer of Confession: Holy Lord, we admit that we have lost hope in our day-to-day, often forgetting that our hope comes from you. Help us remember that hope is possible all the time. Amen. Hymn: “Soon and Very Soon” UMH 706 Pastoral Benediction: Go forth in the light of Christ. May joy fill your hearts, hope renew your vision, and peace guide your steps. Amen. Postlude: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” If needing pastoral care while Pastor Jorge is out of town, you may contact Chip Johnson, pastor of Payette UMC. His phone is 208-546-9137.  Fruitland United Methodist Church November16, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “Amazing Grace” Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done glorious things! Surely God is our salvation; we will trust and not be afraid. Behold, the Lord is creating new heavens and a new earth! The former things shall not be remembered, nor come to mind. Joy and gladness will be found among God’s people again. We will rejoice and sing, for the Holy One is in our midst! Let us worship the God who makes all things new! Amen. *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Sing: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” UMH 89 Scripture – Isaiah 12 – Leslie Pew Bible p.1059 Time With Young Christians – Pastor Jorge Time of Community Expressions Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Thanksgiving and Celebration Prayers for Healing and Wholeness Our Community and The World And now, we pray in the way that Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven . . . “ *Hymn – “How Great is Our God” TFWS 3003 Invitation to Generosity – Pastor Jorge Offertory “Momento a Momento” by May Whittle Moody *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 65: 17-25 Sermon: “Behold, I am Making All Things New!” Isaiah 12; Isaiah 65:17–25 Introduction: When Everything Feels the Same A few days ago, someone told me, “Pastor, everything feels the same… the problems, the news, the routine. Nothing changes.” And I understood. Sometimes life feels like that old clock that keeps ticking even though it no longer tells the right time. We keep moving, but we’re not sure if we’re going anywhere. Maybe Israel felt the same way when they heard the words of the prophet Isaiah. Years of exile, ruins in Jerusalem, memories of a temple that no longer stood. People were asking, “Where is God?” And then, in the middle of exhaustion and despair, God says something completely unexpected: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth…” (Isaiah 65:17). It’s as if God were saying, “I’m not finishing the story — I’m starting it all over again.” A Song from the Ruins — Isaiah 12 Before speaking of the new creation, Isaiah invites us to sing. Yes, to sing. In Isaiah 12 we hear a song that rises after the storm: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.” It’s a song born not from success, but from comfort. Not from abundance, but from a rediscovery of hope. Have you ever experienced that moment when, after a hard season, you can finally sing again? Not because everything is perfect, but because you know God has never let go of you. That song announces something powerful: God does not let the story end in ruins. God turns complaint into song, fear into trust, and dry ground into living water. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Faith, says Isaiah, is learning to sing in the dust — believing the water is already on its way. A New Heaven and a New Earth — Isaiah 65:17–25 God is not satisfied with repairing what is old; God creates something entirely new. “Behold, I am making all things new.” What God promises here is not only a distant heaven, but a renewed earth. Listen to the description: “No more shall there be the sound of weeping or the cry of distress... They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat... The wolf and the lamb shall feed together. It’s a radical vision —a world without exploitation, fear, or violence. A world where justice and peace embrace. A world where creation and all creatures live in harmony. Can you imagine it? This is God’s dream — the Kingdom Jesus proclaimed with his words and his hands. Between the “Already” and the “Not Yet” But here lies the tension: that new world doesn’t seem to have arrived completely. There are still wars. There are still tears. And yet, Isaiah is not only talking about the future — he’s talking about the present. God is already at work, already creating, already making all things new — in you, in me, in us. Every time someone forgives, every time a community rises after pain, every time a church opens its doors to offer refuge, every time a hardened heart begins to soften… in that very moment, God is creating something new. Conclusion: An Invitation to Sing the Future Dear brothers and sisters, Isaiah’s call is not to stand gazing at the past with nostalgia, but to sing the future with hope. God is not inviting us to merely survive — God is inviting us to participate in the new creation. That’s why today we can join Isaiah’s song and say: “Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known in all the earth.” God is still making all things new — in our communities, in our families, in our church. So when you feel that everything is the same, remember this promise: God is not finished with you. God is starting again. *Prayer of Confession: Creator God, You are always doing a new thing, yet we resist. We hold on to old habits, old hurts, old fears. Forgive us when we cannot see the new life You are planting in our midst. Open our hearts to Your renewing Spirit, so we may rejoice and live in Your promise. Amen. Sing: “Hymn of Promise” UMH 707 Pastoral Benediction: Go forth in the light of Christ. May joy fill your hearts, hope renew your vision, and peace guide your steps. Amen. *Song of Blessing: “We Are Marching in the Light of God.” TFWS 2235 Postlude: “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” Reminders: Annual Charge Conference today at 2 pm. Council members and committee chairs are required to attend. Next Week: Harvest Potluck 11:15, downstairs. Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]  Fruitland United Methodist Church November 9, 2025 Prelude: Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements- Pastor Jorge *Call to Worship *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Gathering Song: Scripture Time With Young Christians – Pastor Jorge Time of Community Expressions Invitation to Generosity – Pastor Jorge Offertory *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Sermon: Pastor Jorge *Benediction *Song of Blessing:  Fruitland United Methodist Church November 2, 2025 *(Please stand if you are comfortably able.) Prelude: “For All the Saints,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship. Welcome and Announcements- Pastor Jorge and Leona *Call to Worship On this All Saints Sunday, we gather to remember teachers and storytellers who made God’s stories come alive for us. We give thanks! We remember choir members, praise bands, organists, and all the musicians who sang and played your praises. We give thanks! We remember preachers and lay leaders who led our worship through the years. We give thanks! We remember parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings who showed us how to hold fast to the faith. We give thanks! We remember our church families—this one, and others we have loved. We remember all those who have been a part of this faith family, with whom we grew our faith and our love for God and neighbor. We give thanks! We remember our ancestors in the faith, whose courage enables us to be here today. We give thanks for the saints who came before us, are present here with us, and will continue after us. Thanks be to God! *Sharing the peace of Christ. *Gathering Song: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” TFWS 2173 Scripture – Psalm 119: 137-144 – Leona Pew Bible p.963 Time With Young Christians – Pastor Jorge Time of Community Expressions Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007 Remembering our Saints Presenting the names of Our Saints by members of the congregation. Response of the People: Christ have mercy. Grant us your peace! (Moment of silence, as the large candle is lit.) All: Holy One, we are grateful for the witness and memory of these lives, and we are grateful that our beloved friends and family are in your perpetual love and care. May these whom we remember inspire us to live with greater love for all people. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen *Hymn – “You Are My Hiding Place.” TFWS 2055 Invitation to Generosity – Pastor Jorge Offertory “Make me a Channel of Your Peace” by Sebastian Temple *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . . UMH 95 Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1: 1-4, 11-12, Leona Sermon: “The Day of Our Saints- A Story That Unites Us” It was a cool November morning. The sun peeked through the clouds, and the air carried the scent of flowers, incense, and freshly baked bread. In a small community, people began gathering at the church—not in sorrow, but with a mix of gratitude and reverence. It was All Saints ’Day. Don Ernesto, an elderly man with a serene face, walked slowly toward the altar. In his hands, he carried a photograph of his wife, who had passed away five years earlier. He gently placed it among lit candles and marigolds. Beside him, his eight-year-old granddaughter asked,“Why do we do this, Grandpa?” He smiled and replied, “Because today we celebrate our saints. Those who are with us and those who are already with God. Even if we can’t see them, they’re still here—in who we are, in what we believe.” Meanwhile, the pastor stepped up to the pulpit to share the Word. She read aloud Paul’s words to the Thessalonians: “We boast about you among God’s churches for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). And then she began to tell a story. “In the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica—the Mayans, the Aztecs—Día de Muertos wasn’t a day of mourning, but of life. Families would go to the cemetery, bring food, talk to their departed loved ones as if they were right there. And when they couldn’t go, they built altars at home, with photos, bread, tequila, and laughter. Because they knew that death doesn’t break the bonds of love.” The congregation listened in silence—some with tears, others with smiles. The pastor continued: “John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once wrote in his journal that this was one of his favorite days. And I’m not surprised. Because this day reminds us that holiness isn’t about statues or legends. Holiness is found in those who serve us with love, who pray for us, who teach us to live with faith.” Don Ernesto looked at his granddaughter and whispered, “Your grandma was a saint. Not because she was perfect, but because she loved with all her heart.” The pastor closed her Bible and said: “Today we proclaim that we are who we are because of those who came before us. Today we give thanks for the saints who walk among us. And today we commit to becoming saints for those who will come after us. Because holiness is not just a memory—it’s a mission.” And so, through prayers, songs, and embraces, the community celebrated. Not just the saints of the past, but the saints of the present. Those who fight for justice, who sow peace, who build a more human world. Because on this day, as Scripture says, the name of Jesus is glorified in us... and we in Him. Amen. Sing: “Amazing Grace, verses 1-4” UMH 377 The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. Y tambien contigo. 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. 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 *Song of Blessing: “We Are Marching in the Light of God.” TFWS 2235 |