sunday may 3rd, 2026

Fruitland United Methodist Church
May 3rd , 2026

*(Please stand if you are comfortably able.)

Prelude: Lamb of God by Twila Paris

Welcoming the Light of Christ
Welcome & Announcements: Rev. Jorge R. & Holly K.
Good morning, church.
Welcome to this time of worship as we gather in the presence of God.
Today we come not only to hear the Word, but to receive the grace of
Christ at His table.

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 95)
Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of
our salvation.
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving and praise.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
We come to worship, to listen, and to receive.
All: Let us worship God!
*Sharing the Peace of Christ.

*Opening Hymn: We are One in Christ Jesus/Somos uno en Cristo

Scripture Readings: Psalm 119: Holly K.
Reader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.

Time with young Christians Pastor Jorge R.

Community Expressions Rev. Jorge & Holly K.
     Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007
     Thanksgiving & Celebration
     Prayers for Healing & Wholeness
     Our Community & World
Let us Pray
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…..
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Invitation to Generosity Rev. Jorge R.
Offertory: “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” by John Greenleaf Whittier and Frederick Maher
*Doxology: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95

Gospel Reading: John 14:1-14 Holly K.

Hymn: “Sanctuary” TFWS 2164

Sermon: Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled” Rev. Jorge R.
John 14:1–14

There are days… and then there are moments when the heart becomes
troubled. Not because of small things, but because of those realities we
cannot control: loss… uncertainty… a future we cannot clearly see. Jesus
speaks these words in one of those moments. Not on a day of celebration.
Not in a moment of victory. But on the eve of the cross. The disciples are
confused. They have left everything to follow Him… and now He is talking
about leaving. And then Jesus says: “Do not let your heart be troubled.”

Jesus does not deny their reality. He does not say, “There is no problem.”
He does not say, “Everything is easy.” Instead, He says: “Believe in God.
Believe also in me.” Faith does not remove the storm… but it changes
where we stand in it. There is a difference between living through
uncertainty… and living through it without hope. Jesus invites them—and
us—to trust even when we do not understand.

Then He adds a promise: “In my Father’s house are many dwelling
places.” This is more than a promise about heaven. It is a declaration of
belonging. “You are not alone. You have a place. You have a home. There is
a future prepared for you.” In a world where many feel displaced, unseen, or
forgotten… Jesus says: You belong. Not because of what you have done,
but because of who God is.

Thomas, with honest courage, asks: “Lord, we do not know where you are
going. How can we know the way?” And Jesus responds: “I am the way,
and the truth, and the life.” He does not give directions. He does not hand
them a map. He gives them Himself. The way is not a path we figure out… it
is a relationship we enter into. Following Jesus is not about having all the
answers. It is about trusting the One who walks with us.

Then Philip says: “Lord, show us the Father.” And Jesus answers:
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” If you want to know what
God is like… look at Jesus. Look at how He touches the sick, how He
listens to the forgotten, how He forgives, how He draws near, and how He
loves. God is not distant. God is not abstract. God has come near.

And then comes a surprising promise: “The one who believes in me will also
do the works that I do… and, in fact, will do greater works than these.” This
sounds impossible. But Jesus is telling them: “My work does not end here. It
continues through you.” Faith is not only comfort. Faith is also calling. The
church is not only a place that remembers Jesus… it is a community that
lives His work in the world.

So today we hear again these words: “Do not let your heart be troubled.”
Not because everything is solved… but because Christ is present. Not
because we understand everything… but because we know the One who is
the way. Not because there is no pain… but because there is hope.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, when our hearts are troubled, teach us to trust in you. When we
cannot see the way, remind us that you are the way. And when we feel
uncertain, help us to live as your people, continuing your work in the world.
Amen.

Holy Communion
Invitation: 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.

Confession and Pardon
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.

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

*Hymn: “One Bread One Body” UMH 2130

The Great Thanksgiving
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.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor continue with blessing the elements…
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven…

Breaking the Bread & Sharing the Cup
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, given for you.

Song During Communion One Bread One Body UMH #620

*Sharing the Bread and the Cup (All are welcome at Christ’s Table.)

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, to give ourselves for
others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Closing Hymn Go, Tell It on the Mountain – UMH 251

Benediction: Go forth in peace. Walk in the light of Christ.  Share the
good news with joy. And may the blessing of God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.