Scripture Readings for Sunday, May 31, 2026
First Reading: Ruth 1:1-22
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die—there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Call me no longer Naomi, call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty; why call me Naomi when the Lord has dealt harshly with me, and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” So Naomi returned together with Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, who came back with her from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
*Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:3-9
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Webster United Church of Christ
Extends An
Extravagant Welcome To You!
We are an Open and Affirming congregation. Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
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The mission of Webster United Church of Christ is to worship God and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ: minister with compassion to those troubled of mind, body, and spirit; and be a spiritual home that welcomes all people.
Worship starts at 10 am every Sunday.
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Reverend Charity Omartian
Rev. Omartian is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ. She was ordained in 2014. She received her Master of Divinity from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Rev. Omartian began as the Pastor & Teacher at Webster in 2019. She served as the pastor at a UCC church in Wells, Maine prior to coming to Webster Church. She resides in Ann Arbor with her husband, Jim Omartian, and their three children.
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Rev. Omartian's office hours are by appointment only. She may be reached by phone at 603-759-2405 or by email at websteroffice@gmail.com.
Welcome Associate Pastor Marcia!
After teaching for multiple decades, Marcia answered the call to become an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She graduated from Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She has served as interim pastor in three churches, including Webster Church. She is delighted to be the Associate Pastor here.
Marcia is married to Rex, the organist at Pinckney UCC. She has two married adult children and 4 wonderful grandchildren. She and Rex live in Dexter Township.