Little Falls United Methodist Church

 

Sunday Worship Service

 

November 1, 2026 - 10 am

 

 

 

139 Main Street, Little Falls, NJ 07424

Office Phone: (973) 256-0993

Website: www.LittleFallsUMC.org

Email: Info@LittleFallsUMC.org

 

We are “A Welcoming Community of Faith, Hope,

Mission and Outreach Sharing Christ’s Love”

Our Mission is “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”

 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,

which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)

 

 

Called to Praise

 

⭻Prepare your heart and body for Worship

 

Greeting & Announcements
 

• We have ‘In-Person’ & ‘Online Worship’ on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 10am.

 

• You can join our Online Worship via YouTube or Facebook. Type “Little Falls United Methodist Church” in the search window on YouTube or Facebook. Please use the link below to join in Online Worship. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lfumc

 

• Prayer Concerns & Joys – If you would like to share your concerns and joys with the congregation, please email Pastor Jin (jkim@littlefallsumc.org) or complete the online form, www.littlefallsumc.org/prayer.

 

• Altar Flowers – Thank you, Cheryle Mitchell, for providing the Altar Flowers in Memory of Cathi Conti! If you would like to offer the altar flowers, please contact Janet (973) 896-8936 or ladyteddy@aol.com. 

 

• Fellowship Time after Worship – Thank you, Treasured Memories, for hosting the Coffee Hour! Let us enjoy a good fellowship time every Sunday after Worship. Please help us with hosting the coffee hour. The Sign-up board is on the table in the Narthex. Please contact Cheryle or Kathy F. if you have any questions about the coffee hour.

 

• We will observe the Holy Communion on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

 

• All Saints Sunday - We will observe All Saints Sunday on Nov. 1, 2026. Please bring a photo of your saints who showed you the model of Christian faith and gave you the legacy of faith and put the photo on the table at the altar before the service. We will commemorate them. 

 

• Stewardship Campaign for the year 2027 – We are now having the Stewardship Campaign for our church ministry for the year 2027. Our offerings and tithes are an expression of our faith as we put our first priority in God’s ministry in our lives. Our offering and tithes are a form of self-denial, a form of worship, a means of serving, a way of recognizing that all of life is a gift, an attempt to give back, an expression of love and gratitude, and a means of following Jesus. Please participate in this campaign with your generous, faithful hearts. We will consecrate our pledges on Sunday, November 29, 2026. God Bless you as you fill out the pledge card and mail it back, drop it off at the church, put it in the offering plate, or add it to the Pledge Box on the Narthex.

 

• Painting Cross for Christmas Shoebox ministry – We will paint Crosses to help UMW Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Drive  during the Coffee Hour on November 1, 2026. You don't need to fill a Shoebox to be part of this activity. Simply Paint a cross which will be put in filled a Shoebox. Be a part of touching a child's life.

 

• Treasured Memories – The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. “Treasured Memories” is a grief group for those who have lost their loved ones. The ongoing meeting gathers every 2nd Wednesday of the month in Lee Lounge at 7 pm. Contact Allison for details (973) 800-4152. Join us! All are Welcome!

 

• Bishop’s day – We will host the Bishop’s Day of Meadowlands District at 4:45 on November 22, 2026, Sunday. The worship service and Q&A session with Bishop will be held in our Sanctuary. Please join the Bishop’s Day!

 

• Online Donation – Online donation is available now. Please visit the church website and click ‘Donation.’ The link is https://www.littlefallsumc.org/donation.  Your financial support and generosity are greatly appreciated and essential for our church ministry and mission. Please consider sending your tithes and offerings to Little Falls UMC (139 Main St. Little Falls, NJ 07424). You can send your offerings and tithes to the church every week. Or you can send offerings and tithes for a month with a check. Thanks again for your generosity!

 

• Shoprite Gift Card – To purchase a Shoprite gift card, contact Pete (973) 595-5765 or detroit50@aol.com.

 

• LFUMC FOOD PANTRY ITEMS NEEDED - Many families depend on the Food Pantry on a regular basis. The Pantry needs the following non-perishable items; canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, adult/children’s cereal, pasta & sauce, instant potatoes/rice, tuna, chicken, sardines, fruit, apple sauce, juice, and granola bars.

 

• SOCKS FOR SOULS - Do your feet get cold? Please help Unity Circle to provide new or gently used socks to the homeless. There is a constant need. Please drop off your socks in the large white sock in the Narthex. 

 

• Ongoing Collection - UMW collects postmarked stamp and can pull tabs. Items are donated to different charities and organizations.

 

• Emergency Pastoral Care – Pastor Jin will take a vacation week from November 2 to 8, 2026. Please contact Beth (862-686-3087, verybusybeth@aol.com), if you need an emergency pastoral care. Beth will contact the pastor for you.

 

† Passing The Peace

 

†Call to Worship

Leader: Today, we gather to remember those who walked the journey of faith before us.

People: We give thanks for their lives, their faith, and the love they shared with us.

Leader: We remember Jesus Christ, who showed us the way of love, service, and sacrifice.

People: We give thanks for Christ's love and grace, and for the new life we have through him.

Leader: Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us run with perseverance the race set before us.

People: With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will continue the journey of faith.

Leader: Let us remember, give thanks, and renew our commitment to follow Christ.

All: With grateful hearts, let us worship God, share God's love, and faithfully carry the light of Christ to the generations to come. Amen.

 

†Praise Song                                  For All The Saints                       UMH 711 (vv.1-4)

1. For all the saints, who from their labors rest, 
who thee by faith before the world confessed, 
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. 
Alleluia, Alleluia! 

2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; 
thou Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; 
thou in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, Alleluia! 

3. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, 
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, 
and win with them the victor's crown of gold. 
Alleluia, Alleluia! 

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine! 
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; 
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. 
Alleluia, Alleluia!
 

Children’s Time

 

Commemoration of Our Saints

 

A Prayer for All Saints Day (Unison)

All: Gracious God, you surround us with a great cloud of witnesses whose steps have carved the path we now walk. As we honor those who have run the race before us, ignite in our hearts the same courage, devotion, and love. Help us pick up the torch of faith they have passed to our hands, that we may love boldly, serve humbly, and walk faithfully until our own journey is complete. Through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Amen.

 

Hymn of Prayer                           Make Us One                                 TFWS 2224

 

Make us one, Lord, make us one;
Holy Spirit, make us one.
Let your love flow so the world will know
we are one in you.

 

Pausing for Silent Prayer and Confession

 

Prayers of the People (Response: God, in Your Mercy, hear our prayers.)

Gracious and Loving God, we now bring before You the joys and concerns of our church family. We give thanks for the blessings, celebrations, and moments of grace in our lives. We lift up those who are facing illness, pain, grief, loneliness, uncertainty, or difficult circumstances. Surround them with Your healing presence, strengthen those who are weary, comfort those who are grieving, and give hope to those who feel discouraged. We especially remember those who are caring for loved ones, those facing challenges known only to You, and those who long to experience Your peace and love. May we, as a church family, continue to care for one another, encourage one another, and walk alongside one another in faith. Guide us to live with compassion, generosity, and love, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the source and perfecter of our faith. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

Called to the Word

Prayer for Illumination 

 

Leader: Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. 

All: Amen

 

NT Lessons                                                Hebrews 12:1-11  

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—

“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord
   or lose heart when you are punished by him,
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves
   and chastises every child whom he accepts.”

7 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children, for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9 Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

 

This ends the New Testament Lesson. 
Let us turn to the Gospel Lesson. Please stand, if able.

 

†Gospel Lesson                                        Luke 22:14-20

14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

 

This is the word of God for the people of God. 

All: Thanks be to God.

 

Message                                           Remembrance                              Rev. Jin Kook Kim

 

Good morning, Church family! I hope you had a blessed week in God’s love and grace last week. For the last 9 weeks, we have considered Joseph’s stories from the beginning, and we have learned spiritual lessons for our faith journey. As we observe All Saints Sunday, I pause sharing Joseph’s story and consider All Saints Day today.

 

A few weeks ago, I was invited to join the meeting of Treasured Memories, our grief group for those who lost their loved ones. I saw that the small group meeting was very precious for the attendees as it was a comforting place where people shared their stories. One that impressed me was that they are glad and thankful when someone talks about their loved one. I usually do not mention to people about their loved ones because I assumed that would make them sad. It is true to some people. However, many in the meeting said that they liked people to talk about their loved ones because they see that their loved one is remembered by people, not forgotten.  We want to remember our loved ones, and we love people who remember our loved ones.

 

All Saints Day started in early church to remember their loved ones. There was a time that Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire due to their faith. To enhance the emperor’s power and authority, the Roman Empire regarded the emperors a god and prohibited people from having or worshiping another god. Because Christians believed God and Jesus Christ as the Son of God, they were persecuted and martyred. The church wanted to remember them who kept their faith in God. That was the beginning of All Saints Day.

 

For them, remembrance was not just to remember martyrs. It was to follow their faith journey as they showed the example of Christians who kept the faith to the end, death. The reality of their lives was harsh. Remembrance of saints became the direction, re-commitment, and strength to endure the harsh life and to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

The first audience of the Letter to the Hebrews was in the same situation. They were persecuted because of their faith in God. Enduring the time, they hoped to face the day of Jesus’ re-coming, which meant the end of suffering and the beginning of heaven. However, as the time got longer and longer, they were losing hope and faith, doubting their faith in God. The author of Hebrews in chapter 11 reminded them of saints: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and others, who lived in faith in God and who showed ways to Christians who were living in harsh reality.  And chapter 12, today’s scripture starts with the phrase, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” Here the words, witnesses, mean not only the big figures mentioned before, but also all people who lived out their faith to death as martyrs. By saying that, the author wanted the audience to know they were not alone in their faith journey. All God’s people, including the saints, were with them in their faith journey, although the journey was hard.

 

And the author continues to say, “let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Here, the Christians were encouraged to live out their faith, enduring the hard reality.  Also, they were encouraged to look to Jesus, the perfect example of faith.

 

Jesus also wants us to remember him. In Luke 22:14–20, Jesus shared his last meal with his disciples. During that meal, he took the bread and the cup and said to them, "Do this in remembrance of me." When Jesus asked his disciples to remember him, he was inviting them to do more than simply remember an event from the past. He was calling them to remember the path of faith he had shown them and to follow that same path in their own lives. When we remember Jesus, we remember the one who loved us first, the one who served others and cared for those around him, the one who welcomed and stood alongside the marginalized and the vulnerable, and the one who loved us so deeply that he was willing to give himself for us. The Lord's Supper is a time when we remember Jesus' love and sacrifice. But it is also a time when we are reminded of how we are called to live as his followers. As we come to the Lord's Table, we remember not only his love for us but also his example of how to love others. When we remember Jesus, we are reminded not only of what Jesus did for us, but also of how Jesus calls us to live. Let us remember Jesus and follow Jesus’ life in our faith journey.

 

Today is a day to remember those who walked the journey of faith before us, those who passed their faith on to us, and those who showed us God's love through the way they lived their lives. They were not perfect people. They also experienced difficulties, hardships, and suffering. There were times when they stumbled, struggled, and felt uncertain. But even through those difficult moments, they continued their journey of faith, relying on God's grace and trusting in God's presence. Their faith, love, and dedication have helped shape our faith today. Because of their witness and faithfulness, we are here today, continuing the journey they once walked. We remember them not only to honor their lives, but also to continue the journey of faith they showed us. We remember them not simply by looking back at their lives, but by carrying their faith forward through our own lives.

 

Another one that impressed me in the meeting of Treasured Memories, the attendees remember their loved ones in diverse ways. One of them that was interesting to me is a quilt made with t-shirts of their loved one. They remember their loved ones whenever they see the quilt. Another way is to continue their loved one’s faithful service. Kevin is a son of Betty. After Betty went to eternal home last April, Kevin has continued Betty’s faithful service for the church. He comes to church once a month with bags of food for the food pantry ministry, that Betty usually did and whenever she did, Kevin helped her. Now he continues his mother’s service to honor her. Also, he gives me offerings, using Betty’s offering envelopes. By doing that, he honors his mom.

 

Church family, when we think about the faithful lives of those who came before us, we realize that we are here today because many people before us faithfully built and sustained this community of faith. We are able to gather here for worship, experience God's love, and grow in our faith because there were people who came before us and faithfully cared for this church.

 

Our saints gave their time, talents, and resources to the church, and they passed their faith on to the next generations, including us. They gathered together for worship and prayer, learned and shared God's Word, and built this church as a community of faith by loving and caring for one another. They worked together to help their neighbors and shared God's grace and love with the community. They also invited people around them to come to church and helped them begin their own journey of faith. Through all these acts of faith and dedication, they built and sustained this church, not just as a building, but as a community where people could experience God's love and grow in faith.

 

Now, it is our turn to carry on this legacy of faith. We have been given both the responsibility and the opportunity to continue the journey that those before us began. Let us follow the beautiful examples of faith they showed us. Let us remain faithful in worship, prayer, and learning God's Word. Let us continue to love and care for one another. Let us faithfully share God's grace and love with our neighbors. And let us invite those around us to come and experience God's love through our church, helping them begin their own journey of faith.

 

Another way we can carry on this legacy of faith is by participating in our 2027 Stewardship Campaign, which begins today. When we talk about stewardship, it is not simply about how much money we give to the church. Rather, stewardship invites us to ask ourselves some important questions: How can we use our time, talents, and resources for God's work? How can we share the love of God that we have received with others? And what kind of legacy of faith do we want to leave for the next generations?

 

Through this campaign, we are reminded that everything we have comes from God, and we are called to use what we have been given for God's glory. This is not only about our financial giving. It is about making a commitment to put God and God's will first in every part of our lives, including our time, abilities, talents, and resources.

 

Our giving is one way we put our faith into action. It is a way of saying that what God has entrusted to us is not only for ourselves, but also for God's work and for the good of others. Through our giving, we help sustain the ministry of this church, reach out to our neighbors, welcome new people into our community, and pass the faith on to future generations.

 

Most of you probably received a letter about this campaign sometime last week. I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Beth, who faithfully leads our annual Stewardship Campaign. The mailing includes a letter from Beth and a pledge card.

 

I encourage you to take some time to read the letter carefully, pray about it, and prayerfully consider your commitment for the coming year. Please complete your pledge card and return it to the church. On Sunday, November 29, during worship, we will have a special time to consecrate our pledges to God.

 

As you consider your pledge, I hope you will also take time to remember the journey of faith of those who came before us and the legacy of faith they passed on to us. Remember their love, their dedication, their prayers, and their faithful service. And prayerfully consider how you can continue that legacy through your own life and commitment.

 

Church family, let me bring this message to a close.

Today, we remember. We remember those who walked the journey of faith before us. We remember those who taught us to pray, shared God's love with us, cared for us, and helped build this community of faith. We give thanks for their lives and for the faith they passed on to us.

 

We also remember Jesus Christ, who loved us first, served others, welcomed the vulnerable, and gave himself for us. As Jesus told his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me." Let us remember not only what Jesus did for us, but also the life Jesus calls us to live.

 

And as we remember, let us not simply look back. Let us move forward in faith. Let us continue the journey with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

 

The saints who came before us have passed the faith on to us. Now it is our turn to live out that faith and pass it on to those who will come after us. May our worship, our prayers, our love, our service, and our generosity become a faithful witness to God's love for the next generations.

 

May those who come after us one day remember our lives, not because we were perfect, but because we faithfully loved God, cared for one another, served our neighbors, and shared the faith we received.

 

Let us remember. Let us give thanks. And let us continue the journey of faith together.

Amen.

 

HOLY COMMUNION & GREAT THANKSGIVING 

 

Response 1 : 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. 

  

Response 2 : Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. 

  

Response 3 : Amen 

 

Called to Share

Response to Our Generous God 

 

 †Doxology                 Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow                   UMH 95

 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

 

†Prayer of Dedication

All: Gracious and Generous God, we thank You for the faithful saints who came before us and shared their lives, gifts, and resources to build Your church and spread Your love. Their faithfulness reminds us that all we have is a gift from You and that we are called to share those gifts with others. As we bring our tithes and offerings today, help us give with grateful hearts and generous spirits. May these gifts be used to continue the work of Your kingdom, to serve those in need, to welcome those seeking a place to belong, and to share the love of Christ with our community and the world. May our giving reflect not only our gratitude for what we have received but also our commitment to carry the legacy of faith forward to future generations. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

 

Called to the World

 

†Closing Hymn                             Faith of Our Fathers                             UMH 710

 

1. Faith of our fathers, living still, 
in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy 
whene'er we hear that glorious word! 

 

Refrain:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith! 
We will be true to thee till death. 

 

2. Faith of our fathers, we will strive 
to win all nations unto thee; 
and through the truth that comes from God, 
we all shall then be truly free. [Refrain)]

 

3. Faith of our fathers, we will love 
both friend and foe in all our strife; 
and preach thee, too, as love knows how 
by kindly words and virtuous life. [Refrain]

 

†Benediction                                                                                             Rev. Jin Kook Kim

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.  Amen.