ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“Bringing People to Christ and Christ to People”

April 26, 2026 9:45 a.m.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

PRELUDE (Please prepare your hearts and minds for worship.)

LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES

WELCOME – Hearing assistance and large print materials are available. See an usher.

*CALL TO WORSHIP (*Please rise in body or spirit.)

Leader: Jesus offers a new-old commandment,

People: that we should love each other.

Leader: With the incredible power and the unfathomable depth of God's love for us

People: we can, we must love one another.

Leader: And it is in this, our love for one another

People: that the world will know whom and what we worship.

Leader: Come, children of God,

People: let us love one another.

written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on Outside the Box. http://liturgyoutside.net/

*HYMN Lord of the Dance (vs 1,3,5) UMH 261

SCRIPTURE READING Leviticus 19: 9-18

“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. ¹⁰Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. ¹¹“‘Do not steal.” “‘Do not lie.” “‘Do not deceive one another.” ¹²“‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.” ¹³“‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor.” “‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” ¹⁴“‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.” ¹⁵“‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” ¹⁶“‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” “‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” ¹⁷“‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.” ¹⁸“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord”.

The Word of God for the People of God.

Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS

WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY UMH 95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*BLESSING THE OFFERING

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH UMH 887

*GLORIA PATRI UMH 71

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

PASTORAL PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN Amazing Grace (vs 1-4) UMH 378

SCRIPTURE Mark 12:28-34

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” ³²“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

MESSAGE “Love Boldly”

*HYMN They’ll Know We Are Christians FWS 2223

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION More Like You FWS 2167

EXTINGUISHING OF ALTAR CANDLES

POSTLUDE

Music Director: Mike Nelson

Videographer: Roger Vandegrift

Liturgist: Buddy Pennewell

St. John’s United Methodist Church

312 East Main Street P. O. Box 236

Fruitland, Maryland 21826

410-742-5592

stjohnsfruitland@gmail.com

www.stjohnsfruitland.org

Pastor Shannon Harris

Cell: 410-777-0162

E-mail: pastorslharris@gmail.com

a Announcements b

WEEKEND FOOD BAGS will be packed today

Bible Study – Meets on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

OUTSIDE CHURCH SIGN – Please see Roger to donate.

FIRST BAPTIST FOOD BANK – Requests include canned fruit, canned meats, pancake mix and syrup, macaroni and cheese, apple sauce, and toilet paper. Donations due the first Sunday.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST FAMILY SUPPORT – Requests include: rice, beans, corn flour, vegetable oil, sugar, spaghetti noodles and sauce, and feminine hygiene products. There are labeled, plastic containers on the far side of the social hall for any donations.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYONE IS EXPERIENCING HIGHER COSTS AND DO NOT EXPECT YOU TO CONTRIBUTE TO EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT IS PRESENTED. JUST LISTEN TO YOUR HEART AND ACT AS YOU SEE FIT.

UPCOMING DATES

May 3 – Pack Exam Survival Kits for SU Wesley Foundation –

May 24 – Family Fun Nights Meeting

May 30 – God’s Kitchen

June 13 – Yard and Food Sale to benefit Missions Team

PRAYER CHAIN – Call or text Pat Kern at 443-783-6423

NEWSLETTER – Submit information to Paul Nelson at pnelson37@gmail.com

SOCIAL HOUR – See Buddy Pennewell or Cathy Grim to help.