Order of Worship

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

"I Am Your Mother"

TFWS #2059  

Welcome

A Time to Make Connections

Meditation Time

Call to Worship

Liturgist:  Come, people of God, and gather in the presence of the One who calls you beloved.

People:  We come, seeking the love that does not leave.

Liturgist: When we feel unsettled or alone, Christ speaks a word of promise.

People:  We are not abandoned. We are not forgotten.

Liturgist: The Spirit of truth abides with us and dwells within us.

People: We are held in a love that remains.

Liturgist: Come, let us worship the God who is always with us.

People: We come to worship with open hearts. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Gracious and ever-present God, we come before you with grateful hearts, seeking your presence that never leaves us. In moments when we feel uncertain or alone, you remind us that we are not abandoned, but held in your enduring love. Through Christ, you have made your home with us, and through your Spirit, you continue to dwell within us — guiding, comforting, and renewing us. Open our hearts this day to receive your love more deeply. Quiet our distractions, ease our burdens, and draw us into the life you offer. As we worship, shape us into a community that reflects your love — a love that remains, a love that welcomes, a love that does not leave. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Hymn

        “For the Beauty of the Earth”  

UMH #92 (verses 1, 4, & 6)

Message in Music

  “If You Love Me” 

Adult Choir

by Joel Raney

based on John 14:15, 27

Young Disciples' Time

Courtney Till

Joys and Concerns

Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response

"Christ Beside Me"

TFWS #2166 (verse 1)

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings: John 14:15-21

15 “If you love me, you will keep[a] my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[b] to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be[c] in[d] you.

18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me, and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”   (NRSV)

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

   “A Love That Does Not Leave”

  Pastor Jinyong Choi

We Respond

Offertory

     “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” 

UMH #384

Doxology

 UMH #94

*Offertory Prayer

Faithful God, you have given us a love that does not leave — a love that sustains us, guides us, and calls us into life. In gratitude, we offer these gifts — not only what we have, but who we are. Receive them, we pray, and use them for the work of your kingdom — to bring hope where there is despair, to offer belonging where there is isolation, and to share your abiding love with all. Bless these offerings and those who give them, that through them, your love may continue to reach the world. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

             “Now Thank We All Our God”   

   UMH #102

The Blessing and Sending Forth 

Pastor: Go now in the love of Christ — a love that does not leave you.

People: We go, held in Christ’s abiding love.

Pastor: When you feel unsettled, remember: you are not alone.

People: God’s Spirit abides with us and within us.

Pastor: Live as those who are loved—deeply, faithfully, and without end.

People: We will live in that love and share it with others.

Pastor: Go, and be a place of belonging for those you meet.

People: We go to welcome, to serve, and to love.

Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Benediction Response

 "For the Joy of Human Love"

     by Red

Adult Choir

(in-person service only)

Postlude

 Now Thank We All Our God

        J.S. Bach, arr. Virgil Fox