sunday september 6, 2026

Fruitland United Methodist Church
September 6, 2026
Holy Communion Sunday

*(Please stand if you are comfortably able.)

Prelude:

Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship.
Welcome and Announcements Letha E. & Pastor Jorge

Call to Worship- Based on Psalm
Leader: Come, people of God, for Christ calls us together.
People: We come seeking grace, healing, and peace.
Leader: When relationships are broken, God calls us toward reconciliation
People: When forgiveness is difficult, God gives us grace.
Leader: We come to worship the God who restores and makes all things new.
All: Let us worship God!

*Passing of The Peace Letha E.

*Opening Hymn: “Song of Hope” TFWS 2186

Pastoral Prayer: God of grace, you know our joys, our pain, and
the relationships that need healing. Give us courage to speak with
love, humility to listen, and grace to forgive. We pray for those
facing conflict, loneliness, or broken relationships. Make us
instruments of your peace and companions to those who need us.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

First Reading: Romans 13:8-14 (Pew Bible pg.1765) Letha E.

Time With Young Christians/Blessing Of The Backpacks

Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Letha E.
      *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.
       The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven...”

Invitation to Generosity Pastor Jorge
       Offertory:
     *Doxology: “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow . . .” UMH 95
     *Prayer of Dedication: God of grace, receive these gifts and use
      them to bring healing where there is brokenness, hope where there
      is despair, and peace where there is conflict. Amen.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-22 (Pew Bible 1527) Letha E.

Hymn: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” TFWS 2171

Sermon: BEFORE WE COME TO THE TABLE Rev. Jorge Rodgriguez
Matthew 18:15–22

There are conversations we rehearse many times... but never actually have. We have them
in our minds. While we are driving. While we are lying in bed trying to sleep. While we
are doing something else. We imagine what we would say. We explain our side. We
defend ourselves. We remember what happened. And, interestingly enough, in those
imaginary conversations... we almost always win. But then we see the person... and
sometimes we say nothing. Or instead of talking with the person, we begin talking about
the person. And that is where conflict can begin to grow. Now, I want to be very careful
this morning. I am not preaching this sermon because I think you need to hear it.
Maybe I am preaching it because I need to hear it.

And perhaps we all know someone who needs to hear this word. We have friends.
Neighbors. Coworkers. People in our families. People we love who are going through
difficult situations. A marriage under great pressure. A disagreement between parents and
children. Brothers or sisters who are no longer speaking to each other. Problems at work.
A friendship that has been broken. Sometimes we sit with these people and listen to their
stories, and we wish we knew what to say. We want to help. We want to fix things. But
sometimes we simply do not know how. And perhaps this morning Jesus gives us
something we can carry with us. Not a magic formula that will make every conflict
disappear. But a different way to walk through conflict.

Jesus says: “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when
the two of you are alone.” Notice what Jesus does not say. He does not say: “Tell
everyone what happened.” He does not say: “Find five people who agree with you.” He
does not say: “Make sure everyone knows that you are right.” Jesus simply says: Go. Talk
to the person. Listen. Speak honestly. That takes courage. Because sometimes it is easier
to build a wall than to build a bridge. It is easier to walk away. It is easier to find someone
who will tell us: “You are right.” But Jesus is not primarily interested in helping us win
arguments. Jesus wants us to restore relationships.

That is why the text says: “If they listen to you, you have regained that one.” You have
not won an argument. You have regained a brother. You have regained a sister. You
have restored a relationship.

Of course, reconciliation does not mean pretending that nothing happened. It does not
mean accepting abuse. It does not mean remaining in dangerous situations. Sometimes
love requires boundaries. Sometimes healing requires distance. But even then, Jesus
teaches us that hatred does not have to have the final word. And perhaps this is exactly
what we can offer to those people we know who are struggling right now. Not: “This is
how you can win.” Not: “This is how you can prove that the other person is wrong.” But
perhaps: “Let me walk with you.” “Let me pray with you.” “Let us see if there is still
a bridge we can build.” Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone who
is going through conflict is not an answer. It is a companion. Someone who reminds
them: You do not have to go through this alone.

Then Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, how often should I forgive my brother or sister who
sins against me? As many as seven times?”

And Jesus answers: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

In other words: Stop counting.

Because forgiveness is not a mathematical formula. Forgiveness is a way of living. It is
learning, little by little, to live in what we might call: a context of reconciliation. A place
where grace is always possible. Where another conversation is possible. Where another
attempt is possible. Where perhaps another bridge can still be built. And perhaps that is
exactly why this Gospel comes to us before we come to the Table. Because look at this
Table. We do not come because we have everything figured out. We do not come because
all our relationships are perfect. We do not come because we have never hurt anyone.

And we certainly do not come because we have always known how to forgive.
We come because we need grace.

And perhaps today we can bring someone with us to the Table. Not physically. But in our
hearts. Think for a moment about someone you know who is struggling. Someone facing
conflict in their family. Someone having difficulties at work. Someone whose marriage is
going through a difficult time. Someone who has lost a friendship. Someone who simply
does not know what the next step should be.

Bring that person with you in prayer. And perhaps you can say: “Lord, show me how I
can help.” “Show me how I can listen.” “Show me how I can be an instrument of
reconciliation.”

Because sometimes God answers someone’s prayer... by sending a person willing to
walk beside them.

And then we come to the Table. Remembering that the one who was hurt needs grace.
The one who caused the hurt needs grace. The one who is trying to forgive needs grace.
The one who cannot forgive yet needs grace. And the one who is trying to help... needs
grace too.

And perhaps that is me. Perhaps that is you. Perhaps that is all of us.

Because Christ’s Table is not a reward for those who have learned to live perfectly
together. It is the place where imperfect people receive the grace they need... to try
again.

Another conversation. Another attempt. Another bridge. Another act of forgiveness.
Another possibility for reconciliation.

So today, before we come to the Table, let us remember: We may not be able to resolve
every conflict. We may not be able to repair every relationship. We may not have the right
words for every friend who comes to us hurting. But we can walk beside them. We can
listen. We can pray. We can point toward another way of living. The way of Jesus.

The way that does not ask: “How can I defeat the other person?” But instead asks: “Is
there still a way to regain my brother? Is there still a way to regain my sister?” And
then we come together to this Table. Trusting not simply in our ability to make
reconciliation possible, but trusting in the One who calls us, who walks with us, who
forgives us, and who continues building bridges when we thought there was no way
across.

Christ is here. Grace is here. And there is still a place at the Table. Amen.

Prayer of Confession:
Leader: Merciful God, we confess that we have not always loved you with
our whole heart. We have not always loved our neighbors as ourselves. We
have sometimes held onto anger, avoided difficult conversations, and
struggled to forgive.
People: Forgive us, Lord. Heal our hearts and teach us the way of reconciliation.
Leader: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.
This proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are
forgiven.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
All: Glory to God. Amen.

Invitation: Jorge R.
Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent
oftheir sin, and who seek to live in peace with one another. We come not
because we are perfect. We come because we need grace.

The Great Thanksgiving Insert Letha E.

The Lord’s Prayer Jorge R.

*Sharing The Bread And Cup Letha E.

*Hymn: “One Bread One Body” UMH 620

Prayer After Communion: Gracious God, thank you for meeting us at this
Table. Having received your grace, send us into the world to listen, to forgive,
to build bridges, and to walk beside those who are hurting. Make us
instruments of your reconciliation and peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

*Closing Hymn: “We are Marching in The Light of God” TFWS 2335

Blessing: Go into the world as people of grace. Where there is
conflict, be instruments of peace. Where there is brokenness,
build bridges. Where someone is hurting, walk beside them. And
when forgiveness is difficult, remember the grace you have
received at this Table. Christ goes with you. Grace goes with you.
Go in peace. Amen.

Postlude:

Pastor Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]