sunday february 8th, 2026

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