You are invited to Sunday Worship on May 25 at 10 am. The bulletin for this Sunday is available for viewing HERE.
You can worship live on ZOOM by clicking the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9658816441 Meeting ID: 965 881 6441
You can also watch Sunday services at your convenience by going to our website “watsonville1stumc.org” and click YouTube or Facebook. Each Sunday worship will be uploaded on Sunday afternoon for your viewing.
Memorial Day Sunday
Sunday, May 25, 2025, 10 am
Children’s Time: “Importance of Remembering” by Pastor John
Choir Anthem: Hymn of Promise
Words and Music by Natalie Sleeth
Message “Meaning of Remembering” Rev. John Song
On this Memorial Day weekend, we will explore the deep meaning of “remembering”. To “remember”, according to the dictionary, is to recollect, or to call upon your memory to become aware of (something forgotten) again and bring back to one’s conscious mind. The spiritual meaning of remembering often goes beyond simple recollection. In many spiritual traditions, remembering is a sacred act — a return to truth, essence, or divine connection.
Exodus 22:21-24 ~ “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will blaze against you…”
Micah 6:8
“What does the Lord require of you,
but to do justice,
and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
Luke 22:19 ~ 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.”
Memorial Day Prayer
By Steve Garnaas-Holmes
We pray today for those who have suffered and sacrificed
in service to their country.
We honor the sacrifice of soldiers and sailors who have died,
and for their loved ones, who still suffer.
We pray for those who are injured,
especially those poorly cared for.
We pray for those whose who are injured in heart or mind or soul.
We pray for those whose spirits died
when they were forced to witness or commit horrible things,
whose souls have been hollowed out,
or whose purpose has been shattered.
We pray for homeless veterans,
for addicts and suicides
and vets haunted by PTSD,
for they too are casualties of our way of war.
We pray for those who are sexually abused and harassed,
whose suffering continues after their time of duty.
We pray for those who have served who are lonely,
who are sad, who are guilty or ashamed.
We pray for those who are proud but unappreciated.
And forgive us for choosing others to suffer
and to inflict violence on our behalf.
We pray for healing for all those who bear the wounds
and we pray for those of other nations, too.
God bless all who have suffered and sacrificed:
may they know healing, grace, and deep peace. Amen.
