Little Falls United Methodist Church

 

Sunday Worship Service

 

September 13, 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, September 13, 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.

 

• Welcome Back to Sanctuary! We have Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary starting September 13, 2026

 

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

 

• Fellowship Time after Worship – 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.

 

• 2026-27 Sunday School – Sunday School begins Sunday, September 13, 2026.

 

• Pancake breakfast for the families with children – Sunday School host a pancake breakfast for all families with children at 9am on September 13, 2025!

 

• 2026 Charge Conference – We will have the 2026 Charge Conference at 9 am on Sunday, September 20, 2026. We celebrate our ministries and think about the ministry the following year. Each committee will give us its reports. District Superintendent Rev. Williams will preside the conference. All are welcome to the charge conference for voice and participation. Please note that Church Council Members have the right to vote.

 

• Worship with D.S. Rev. William Williams on September 20, 2026 – We will have Sunday Worship with D.S. Rev. William Williams on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. after the 2026 Charge Conference. D.S. Rev. Williams will preach at Sunday Worship. Please join us in Sunday Worship! Let us praise and worship God together!

 

• Prepackaged Snack Drive – UMW is collecting prepacked snacks (ex. chips, cookies, crackers, applesauce, etc.) for the Oasis aftercare program during September. Oasis doesn’t accept granola bars. The last day of the drive is September 27th, 2026.

 

• Church Yard Sale – We will hold Church Yard Sale on Friday, October 9th, from 12pm to 6pm and Saturday, October 10th from 9am to 3 pm. The detailed will be announced. Please contact Melissa or Allison for any questions or details.

 

• Treasured Memories – The next meeting will be held at 7 pm on Wednesday, October 14, 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!

 

• 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.

 

† Passing The Peace

 

†Call to Worship

Leader: We gather today in the presence of the Lord, the God who sees us in every moment of our lives. 

People: We live our lives before the face of God—not just in the light, but in the quiet and secret places. 

Leader: The world tempts us daily to compromise, to take the easy path, and to forget who we belong to. 

People: But we are called to be faithful. We are called to do what is right, even when no one else is watching. 

Leader: We know the hard reality: sometimes, choosing integrity and righteousness brings misunderstanding, hardship, or loss. 

People: Yet we hold on to the words of Jesus: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Leader: Let us worship the Lord who never leaves us in our trials! 

All: Give us the courage, O God, to remain faithful and to always choose Your kingdom. Let us worship God together!

 

†Praise Song           Great Is Thy Faithfulness                      UMH 140 

 

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; 
there is no shadow of turning with thee; 
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; 
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. 

 

[Refrain] 

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! 
Morning by morning new mercies I see; 
all I have needed thy hand hath provided; 
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! 

 

2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, 
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above 
join with all nature in manifold witness 
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain] 

 

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, 
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; 
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, 
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain] 

 

Children’s Time    

 

Hymn of Prayer                                 You Are Mine                           TFWS 2218

 

1. I will come to you in the silence

I will lift you from all your fear

You will hear My voice

I claim you as My choice

Be still, and know I am near

 

1. I am hope for all who are hopeless

I am eyes for all who long to see

In the shadows of the night,

I will be your light

Come and rest in Me

 

(Refrain)

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

 

1. I am strength for all the despairing

Healing for the ones who dwell in shame

All the blind will see, the lame will all run free

And all will know My name (Refrain)

 

1. I am the Word that leads all to freedom

I am the peace the world cannot give

I will call your name, embracing all your pain

Stand up, now, walk, and live (Refrain)

 

Pausing for Silent Prayer and Confession

 

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

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for being with us in every season of our lives. We bring before you today our joys, our hopes, and our concerns. Thank you for the blessings we have received this week and for the people who have brought love, encouragement, and joy into our lives. We also pray for those who are facing difficulties, loneliness, illness, loss, or uncertainty. When we are overwhelmed by our own struggles, help us to see beyond ourselves and notice those who are hurting around us. Give us compassionate hearts like Joseph, who cared for others even in prison, and like Jesus, who remembered the person beside him even from the cross. Use the gifts you have given each of us to bring comfort, hope, and love to those who need it. Remind us that you never forget us, and help us to trust your presence and care in every circumstance. We lift all these joys and concerns to you, trusting in your love and grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. 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

 

OT Lessons                                          Genesis 40:1-15

1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he waited on them, and they continued for some time in custody. 5 One night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were confined in the prison—each his own dream and each dream with its own meaning. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers, who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”

9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms came out, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days; 13 within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But remember me when it is well with you; please do me the kindness to make mention of me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this place. 15 For in fact I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon.”

 

 

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

 

†Gospel Lesson                                 Luke 23:39-43

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

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

All: Thanks be to God.

 

Message                    Seeing Beyond Our Own Struggles            Rev. Jin Kook Kim

 

 

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 God, we bring our tithes and offerings to You today with hearts full of gratitude. In a world where people easily forget one another, You never forget us; and even in our moments of trial or waiting, Your grace sustains us. Use these gifts, Lord, to bring light into dark places, to care for the brokenhearted, and to further Your kingdom in our community and around the world. Strengthen us to live faithfully before Your face, sharing the love and compassion we have so freely received. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

 

Called to the World

 

†Closing Hymn               Grace Alone                     TFWS 2162

 

1. Every promise we can make

Every prayer and step of faith

Every difference we can make

Is only by His grace.

 

Every mountain we will climb

Every ray of hope we shine

Every blessing left behind

Is only by His grace

 

[Refrain]

Grace alone Which God supplies

Strength unknown He will provide

Christ in us, our cornerstone

We will go forth in grace alone.

 

 

1. Every soul we long to reach

Every heart we hope to teach

Everywhere we share His peace

Is only by His grace.

 

Every loving word we say

Every tear we wipe away

Every sorrow turned to praise

Is only by His grace. [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.