God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through
service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.
“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian
Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.” Learn More
In a world where “belonging” often feels conditional — based on achievement, status, or acceptance — Jesus speaks a word of deep reassurance: “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1a). On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, we hear Christ’s promise that he goes ahead of us to prepare a place — not only beyond this life, but here and now in his living presence (John 14:2-4). His words draw us into a deeper truth: our belonging is not something we must secure; it is something we are given in him. We belong where Christ is, where Christ leads, and where we are gathered into his life.
When Thomas asks, “How can we know the way?” Jesus does not offer a map or a set of rules — he offers himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” The way to God is not first about direction, but relationship. To know Christ is to know the heart of the Father, and to discover that in him we are already held, already welcomed, already at home. Philip’s longing — “Show us the Father” — reflects our desire for clarity. Yet Jesus reframes it: God is not distant, but revealed in his own life and presence. To see Jesus is to encounter the God who comes near and dwells among us.
This promise of belonging is not only comforting — it is transformative. In Acts 7:55-60, Stephen, even in suffering, sees the heavens opened and Christ standing with him. As everything else is taken away, his belonging remains unshaken. His final prayer of forgiveness reveals a life so rooted in Christ that even death cannot separate him from God’s love.
Together, these texts remind us that belonging is not something we achieve—it is something we receive. Where Christ is present, there is our true home. And as we abide in him, we are formed into a community that reflects that grace — making room for others and embodying the love we have received. This Sunday, we are invited to rest in this promise: we are not wandering without direction, nor are we strangers to God. In Christ, we are known, held, and gathered into a life of communion — a life that begins now and unfolds into eternity.
John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60
May 3, 2026
Pastor Jinyong
Special Music by Bell Chior
Join us in-person every Sunday at 9:30 am or online.
Church-Wide Spring Cleaning
May 2 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
See e-News for detail.
