sunday August 2, 2026

Fruitland United Methodist Church
August 2, 2026

*(Please stand if you are comfortably able.)

Communion Sunday

Prelude:

Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship.
Welcome and Announcements Jorge R.

Call to Worship Liturgist
Leader: We come seeking the face of God.
People: We come to worship the One who is always present.
Leader: God hears the prayers of those who call upon Him.
People: God walks with us through every step of life’s journey.
Leader: Christ invites us to His table of grace and mercy.
All: Let us worship the Lord with joyful and thankful hearts!
*Sharing the Peace of Christ

*Opening Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” UMH 140

Opening Prayer: Faithful and gracious God, You know us completely
and yet You welcome us into Your presence. Open our eyes to recognize
Your face in our worship, in Your Word, in this holy meal, and in one
another. Strengthen our faith, guide our steps, and fill our hearts with
Your peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading: Psalm 17:1-7, 15 (read responsively) UMH 749 Liturgist

Time with Young Christians: Pastor Jorge

Community Expressions Jorge & Liturgist
      Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy/ Santo, Santo, Santo” TFWS 2007
      Thanksgiving and Celebration.
      Prayers for healing and wholeness.
      Prayers for our community and the world. Let us pray.

Invitation to Generosity Pastor Jorge
As God has freely given us every good gift, let us respond with grateful
hearts through our tithes and offerings, trusting that God will use them to
bring hope and healing to the world.
Offertory:
*Doxology: “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication: Gracious God, receive these gifts as signs
of our gratitude and trust. Use them to proclaim the good news of
Jesus Christ, to serve our neighbors, and to build Your Kingdom of
justice, mercy, and peace. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Second Reading: Genesis 32:22-31 (Pew bible 51) Liturgist

Hymn: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” TFWS 2193
​
Sermon: “Seeking the Face of God” Psalm 17:1-5, 15 Rev. Jorge R.
Introduction
There is a question that has accompanied believers for centuries: Can we
really see the face of God?

The Bible seems to give two different answers. In Exodus, God tells
Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Yet
the psalmist confidently declares, “As for me, I shall behold your face in
righteousness.”

How can both be true?

The answer is deeper than simply seeing with our physical eyes. The
psalm invites us to learn to recognize the presence of God in our daily
lives. When we begin to recognize His presence, everything changes.

We Seek God While We Are on the Journey
Many people believe they will seek God when life settles down—when
they have more time, when their problems are solved, or when they
finally have peace. David teaches us something different.

Psalm 17 was written in the middle of hardship. David was surrounded
by enemies, facing uncertainty, and yet he continued to pray, trust, and
seek God. He did not wait for life to become easy before turning to the
Lord.

The same is true for us. Faith is not something we postpone until life is
perfect. We seek God in the middle of our struggles, trusting that He
walks with us every step of the way.

God Works Through People Who Keep Moving
Someone once asked me how they could discover God's will for their
life. My answer was simple: Keep moving
.
God often guides us while we are moving forward. It is much easier to
steer a boat that is already sailing than one that is sitting still in the
harbor.

The psalmist says, “My steps have held fast to your paths.” He does not
claim to have lived a perfect life. Instead, he testifies that he continued
walking with God.

Sometimes we hesitate because we want complete certainty before
taking the next step. But God frequently reveals His direction one step at
a time. As we walk faithfully, He continues to guide us.

Seeing the Face of God in Our Relationships
One of the most beautiful surprises in Psalm 17 is that it speaks about
very ordinary parts of life—our lips, our eyes, our hearts, our feet, and
our ears.

The psalm reminds us that our search for God is lived out through the
ordinary actions of everyday life.

The psalmist declares, “I shall behold your face in righteousness.”
Biblical righteousness is not simply about following rules. It is about
living faithfully in our relationships—with God, with our families, with
our neighbors, and with those around us.

Jesus taught the same truth when He said, “Whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Every act of kindness, every word of forgiveness, every expression of
compassion becomes an opportunity to encounter Christ.

The Lord's Table Opens Our Eyes
Today we gather around the Lord's Table. We come seeking the face of
God. We do not expect to see Him through a spectacular vision. Instead,
we meet Him through simple and holy gifts: bread, the cup, and the
fellowship of His people.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked with Jesus without
recognizing Him. It was only when He broke the bread that their eyes
were opened.

Holy Communion continues to do the same for us today.

As we receive the bread and the cup, Christ opens our eyes to His
presence, strengthens our faith, forgives our sins, and sends us back into
the world to serve Him.

Conclusion
The psalm ends with these beautiful words: "When I awake, I shall be
satisfied with beholding your likeness."

Every new day is an invitation to recognize God's presence all around
us—in our families, our neighbors, our workplaces, our communities,
and especially among those who need our love and compassion.

As we come to the Lord's Table today, may our eyes be opened once
again.

May we recognize the face of Christ in this gathered community.
May we leave this place ready to recognize Him wherever He sends us.
For to behold the face of God is to discover Christ alive among His
people.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer of Confession: Merciful God, We confess that we have
not loved You with our whole heart. We have failed to be an
obedient church. We have not done Your will, we have broken
Your law, we have rebelled against Your love, we have not loved
our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Words of Assurance: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we
were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! All: Glory to God. Amen.

Invitation to Holy Communion: Christ our Lord invites to His table all
who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with
one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven...
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer After Communion: Eternal God, we give You thanks for this
holy mystery in which You have given Yourself to us. Grant that we
may go into the world in the strength of Your Spirit, seeking Your
face in every person we meet and serving Christ with joyful hearts.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing Hymn: “Be Though My Vision” UMH 451

*Benediction: Go now in peace, seeking the face of God in every
moment, serving Christ in every neighbor, and walking faithfully wherever
the Holy Spirit leads you. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen.

*Song of Blessing: “We are Marching in the Light of God”

Postlude:

Pastor Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]