ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“Bringing People to Christ and Christ to People”

October 25, 2026 10:00 a.m.

Reformation Sunday

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


LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES

WELCOME – A hearing assistance system and large print materials are available. See an usher.

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

Leader: Be still!

People: We come to quiet ourselves in this haven of holiness.

Leader: Be still and know…

People: we come to discern the Word which can set us free.

Leader: Be still and know that God is

People: our Hope, our Help, our Refuge, and our Redeemer.

written by Thom Shuman; posted on Lectionary

Liturgies

*HYMN Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

UMH 400

SCRIPTURE READING Deuteronomy 34: 1-12

Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” 5And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. 9Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded

Moses. 10Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

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 (said in unison)

We believe in one God, who is Creator, maker of all we see and all we don't see; Who is Ruler of the universe: Source of all creation!

We believe in one God, who is Jesus Christ, God from God, Light from Light, true God and true human. He is one with the Creator; the Word made flesh, our Messiah: Savior of all creation!


We believe in one God, who is Holy Spirit, Breath of God moving among us. Who is one with the Creator; one with the Christ; our Comforter and our Guide: Mentor of all creation!

© Lisa Frenz, on Lisa’s Liturgies

*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 Lord, Whose Love Through (vs 1-3) UMH 581

SCRIPTURE Matthew 22: 34-46

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. 43He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, 44“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ 45If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.


MESSAGE Disappointment?

*HYMN I Need Thee Every Hour (vs 1,2,4) U MH 397

ANNOUNCEMENTS


*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION Lord, I Lift Your Name FWS 2088

EXTINGUISHING OF ALTAR CANDLES POSTLUDE


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: pastorshannon@stjohnsfruitland.org

Announcements


BAZAAR WORK SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Oct 27 Wash/peel/cut soup vegetables (8:30 am)

Wednesday, Oct 28 Chicken pickin’ and celery

(8:30 am)

Thursday, Oct 29 Make sweet potato

pies/biscuits AND set-up tables (8:30 am)

Friday, Oct 30 BAZAAR – DOORS OPEN

9:00 am

PLEASE arrive at 7:00 am

Questions:

Melissa 443-944-2609 (prefers texts, but

voicemail OK)

Lori 443-754-1951

Cathy 410 749-7629 (home); 443-359-1923

(cell)

REMINDER: Next Sunday will be the monthly Mission Collection during Communion.

FRUITLAND BAPTIST FOOD BANK – Requests

include spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, soups, pancake mix, instant potatoes, fruit cups, and toilet paper. Please see special request on back.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST FAMILY SUPPORT –

Requests include: corn flour, vegetable oil, sugar, spaghetti noodles and sauce, rice, beans, and feminine hygiene products.

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


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


Music Director: Mike Nelson Videographer: Roger Vandegrift Liturgist: Lori Nelson


Connect with us on the web: www.stjohnsfruitland.org

SPECIAL REQUEST FROM FRUITLAND BAPTIST FOR THE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER


It is anticipated that Fruitland Baptist will again serve approximately 1100 Thanksgiving dinners this year and will need all the support possible to be successful.


Requests include: