Holyoke Covenant Methodist Church

05/24/2026

Ruth 4:13-17 The birth of Obed; the story comes full circle as Naomi has a grandson. Obed becomes the Kinsman Redeemer and is the grandfather of David a critical person in the line of Jesus.
As we close the story of Ruth we are reminded that Ruth was an outsider as we speak about foreigners or outsiders it is important to 1. Let that person be seen, seeing the individual not the outsider. 2. Let the person be heard, taking out our preconceived ideas about the person. 3. Let the person be understood, we must intentionally get to know the outsider by practicing seeing and hearing the individual. Boaz practiced all three by coming full circle and ultimately taking Ruth as his wife. Obed being born brings beauty out of ashes!

05/24/2026

Characters of the Bible: The Story of Ruth
The Birth of Obed: Beauty Out of Ashes
Ruth 4:1-13-17

“God Bless America”
Words and music by Irving Berlin
© 1938, 1939, 1965, 1966 Irving Berlin

“America the Beautiful”
Words by Katharine Lee Bates, music by Samuel Augustus Ward
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (Old 100th)
Words by Thomas Ken, Music attr. to Louis Bourgeois
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“This Land Is Your Land”
Words and music by Woody Guthrie
© 1956 & 1958 Ludlow Music Inc.

Music used with permission. Church Copyright License #416868 and CCLI Streaming License #22284

05/17/2026

Ruth 4:6-14 the Kinsman Redeemer is an Israeli law that says that a family member has to take on a family member's land if they are no longer able to take care of the land. Boaz takes on the land leaving Naomi's namesake in order to honor Naomi and her family. Boaz also took on all the responsibilities of Naomi and Ruth as a part of the Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz also took on the role of a Levirate marriage taking Ruth as his wife under the name of Naomi's husband. The book of Ruth points us to Jesus and the new testament. Ruth being the gentiles and Boaz being "Jesus", saving all of us as our Kinsman Redeemer.

05/17/2026

Characters of the Bible: The Story of Ruth
Boaz: The Kinsman Redeemer
Ruth 4:1-10

“Everlasting God” with “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
Words and music by Brenton Brown and Ken Riley; words by Elisha Albright Hoffman, music by Anthony Johnson Showalter; arranged by Carol Tornquist
© 2005 Thankyou Music Ltd; © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain; © Arr. 2012 Word Music LLC (ASCAP)

“To God Be the Glory”
Words by F***y Jane Crosby, music by William Howard Doane
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“When We All Get to Heaven (Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus)”
Words by Eliza Edmunds Stites Hewitt, Music by Emily Divine Wilson
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“Whither Thou Goest”
Words and music by Guy Singer
© 1954 Kavelin Music Corp.

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (Old 100th)
Words by Thomas Ken, Music attr. to Louis Bourgeois
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“In the Garden”
Words and music by Charles Austin Miles
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

Music used with permission. Church Copyright License #416868 and CCLI Streaming License #22284

05/03/2026

We continue to study Ruth as she made the decision to follow Naomi when Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem. Ruth chose to enlist in the trial walking with Naomi in order to learn God's plan for her. Through the trial Ruth was tenacious insisting she would go with Naomi. She showed unending love to Naomi again insisting she would stay with Naomi. Finally Ruth trusted God knowing that the trial was not going to be easy leaving the land and the lifestyle she knew.

05/03/2026

Characters of the Bible: The Story of Ruth
Ruth’s Response to Tragedy
Ruth 1:6-18

“Take Our Bread”
Words and music by Joe Wise
© 1966 Joe Wise

“We Gather Together”
Words trans. by Theodore Baker, Music arr. by Edward Kremser
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“Majesty, Worship His Majesty”
Words and music by Jack Hayford, arr. by Eugene Thomas
© 1981 New Spring

“He Is Lord”
Traditional, arr. by Tom Fettke
© Arr.: 1986 Word, Inc.

“Holy Holy Holy”
Music by John Bacchus D***s, arr. by Jason Tonioli
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain; Arr: 2023 Tonioli Music LLC

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (Old 100th)
Words by Thomas Ken, Music attr. to Louis Bourgeois
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

“Softly Tenderly”
Music by Will Lamartine Thompson, arr. by Jason Tonioli
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain; Arr: 2023 Tonioli Music LLC

“We Are the Church”
Words and music by Richard Kinsey Avery and Donald Stuart Marsh
© 1972 Hope Publishing Company

Music used with permission. Church Copyright License #416868 and CCLI Streaming License #22284

05/02/2026

04/26/2026

As we started a new sermon series this morning we started in the book of Ruth . Speaking about how God uses the most unlikely to further his ministry. The calling is most often not about us but about who and how he chooses to further his Kingdom! Are you going to be ready?

04/24/2026

Don't forget we're having a work day to clean up the church — both inside and outside — tomorrow (Saturday)! Please come help for any amount of time that you are able.