EMS Sunday: Ambassadors of Hope
EMS Sunday 2026: Ambassadors of Hope
EMS Sunday is a special opportunity for all member churches and organisations of EMS to come together in worship, united by a common theme and spirit of fellowship.
EMS Sunday commemorates the founding of EMS on 16 September 1972, a milestone that continues to shape our mission and shared journey of faith today. In 2026 it takes place on or around Sunday, 20 September.
This year’s theme, “Ambassadors of Hope,” invites us to reflect on our shared calling to bear witness to God’s hope in a world longing for healing, justice, and reconciliation. Across diverse contexts and cultures, we are united in proclaiming and embodying this hope.
Our member churches in Korea – the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) have contributed rich liturgical resources and ideas to the 2026 EMS Sunday.
Greetings from Korea
“In a world deeply wounded by division, economic hardship, and ecological grief, we refuse to simply endure or maintain the status quo. Instead, the PCK and EMS are called to boldly cultivate a world where every creature and every community can truly thrive in God's abundant grace,” says Sangdo Choi, PCK General Secretary. “We are Ambassadors of Hope!”
Liturgy
For this year’s EMS Sunday celebration, we offer a liturgy inspired by the rich worship traditions of our member churches in Korea – the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). Receive it as a gift and adapt it to your local context, language, and worship life.
Liturgy (English)
Liturgy (Korean)
Coming soon
Liturgy (German)
Coming soon
Liturgy Notes
Below you'll find a collection of background notes and resources to accompany this service. They offer a closer look at some of the elements woven into the liturgy — their origins, their meaning, and the stories behind them. We hope they enrich your experience, whether you are preparing to lead or simply following along.
The Hanji “Hope” Cards
Below you'll find a short video explaining the “Hope” cards used in this service — what they are and how they're made.
Sermon
Sermon (English)
Coming soon
Sermon (Korean)
Coming soon
Sermon (German)
Coming soon
Hymn and Song Suggestions
EMS-Song
PCK band performing the EMS Song as written for the EMS Jubilee 2022.
Come Now, O Prince of Peace
Hanshin University, Seminary of PROK celebrating their weekly Wednesday Chapel Service for students.
A Voice from the Heaven
Traditional Korean instruments (e.g., gayageum or daegeum) playing a meditative melody in a PROK Congregation in Seoul.
Arirang (Kyrie)
To learn more about this we recommend the UN World Heritage Site and the corresponding video history of Arirang:
Gloria
Traditional Korean instruments (e.g., gayageum or daegeum) playing a in a PROK Congregation in Seoul.
About PCK and PROK
In South Korea, more than a quarter of the population belongs to a Christian church, with approximately 19 percent identifying as Protestant. This proportion is higher than in any other country in Asia.
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) is one of the smaller denominations in the country. It has around 340,000 members, organized into about 1,450 congregations, and is served by approximately 1,900 pastors and more than 2,800 elders.
Key elements of PROK’s identity include a strong commitment to human rights, democratization, social justice, peace, and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. These priorities are deeply rooted in the church’s historical engagement during the periods of military dictatorship in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, PROK also addresses issues such as ecology and sustainable development.
The Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), by contrast, is one of the largest churches in the country. It comprises around 6,300 congregations, more than 2.2 million members, and approximately 8,600 pastors.
The PCK integrates a broad range of priorities. Evangelization and global mission are central to its work, with about 1,000 missionaries currently serving in 82 countries. The church also emphasizes care for creation, advocating for environmentally responsible and sustainable lifestyles, while remaining committed to peace and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
