GATHERING
REFLECTION
Because we dare to believe that Jesus is the world’s light still, we are not stumbling in this darkness. … Carry this glowing ember, even if it is covered and waiting for the day’s lighting and work ahead, that is keeping the perpetual light of God’s love and goodness alive in this old world.
from Sarah Bessey’s Field Notes, January 19, 2026
LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In the midst of an imperfect world,
Jesus is the light of hope.
People: We are called to carry that glowing ember of hope
through this Lenten season.
Leader: In the midst of our everyday lives,
Jesus calls us to follow him.
All: We come, searching for the One who is already here.
Let us worship the God who calls us
in just such a time as this.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: Holy One, in the beginning you created light,
not just the lights we see, but infinite light,
the light that still shines in the darkness.
People: We confess that we have failed to open ourselves
to knowing and loving that light in our lives.
Leader: We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves,
and thus in thought, word, and deed
we have lost our way in this time and place.
People: Though we want to follow the light of Christ,
we stumble and stop in our fear of the dark,
instead of walking in faith as we carry a glowing ember.
Leader: We confess that we ignore the lights we see –
people caring for each other and the earth –
while we’re doomscrolling our way through the darkness.
All: Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world,
but we’re not sure we take Jesus seriously.
Forgive us, and help us to keep
the light of your love and goodness
alive in this world.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Leader: The Holy One is always ready
to forgive all our failings.
Therefore we have the courage and strength
to live each day in unquestioning trust
in the divine light that has brought us to this time.
People: Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
INTERCESSION AND PETITION
COMMITMENT
All: O Holy One, we come today
to claim our relationship with you.
We pray for the commitment to grow together,
sharing the gifts you give us with others
here and in the wider world.
Forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted
and help us forgive those who have hurt us.
Give us strength and discipline
to nurture our relationship with you;
to care for every part of your creation;
to foster justice and be in solidarity with those in need;
to work to end all war, and violence, and discord;
and to respond joyfully when you call,
freely giving our selves as you have shown the way.
We open our hearts to you and your creation
in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
HYMN
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION
OFFERING
COMMUNION
PREPARATION
Leader 1: This is the table of the heavenly feast,
the joyful celebration of the people of God.
Leader 2: We gather now as one body, joined around the table.
Here we celebrate God’s presence among us,
united in Christ’s spirit, broken and whole all at once.
All: Nourished and hungry, loved and loving,
sinner and forgiven, we make one circle
of knowing, believing, rejoicing, being,
as God lights and rests among us.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader 1: Holy, invisible Creator of all,
you brought light into being with a single word,
placing the sun and moon and stars in the sky
as reminders that the glow of your love
sustains and nourishes all of creation,
whether it is morning, or evening,
or the middle of the darkest night.
People: Holy, compassionate Flame of love,
we give you thanks for Jesus, the Human One,
lighting up the world with his parables and stories,
teaching us to see you in everyone and everything,
even on days when there seems to be no light at all.
Leader 2: Holy, glowing Spark of insight,
we give you thanks for your Holy Spirit,
burning brightly in our hearts and minds,
filling us with visions and courage
for the work that waits ahead.
All: Holy, ever-changing Flicker of life,
we give you thanks for your Holy Church,
carrying the glowing ember of faith
lighting the way to becoming
what we already are,
your Holy Body on earth
BLESSING THE ELEMENTS
Leader 1: Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life,
to drink the cup of the new covenant.
Leader 2: Jesus said, I am the bread of life.
You who come to me shall never hunger;
you who believe in me shall never thirst.
Leader 1: On the night he gave himself up, Jesus took bread,
and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,
This is my body,
broken for the healing of the world.
Whenever you eat it, do so remembering me.
Leader 2: After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,
This is the cup of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for all.
Whenever you drink it, do so remembering me.
All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of grain and grape,
and work of human hands
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.
SHARE THE ELEMENTS
Leader 1: The body of Christ, broken for all of us.
Feed on Christ in your hearts with thanksgiving.
Leader 2: The cup of the new covenant,
poured out for the healing of the world.
Drink deeply of it.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
All: God of abundance and mercy,
we give joyful thanks
for your eternal love and healing presence
in our celebration of bread and cup.
Bless this Body of Christ
that we may attend faithfully to our call to be your servants,
with each other and throughout the world. Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: May God give us the courage to live and work
for a new heaven and a new earth as Jesus did.
Give us the freedom to be critical where we see evil
and to offer praises where we see goodness.
Make us faithful to the vision you have given us,
so that wherever we go and whomever we meet
we can be a sign of your all-renewing love.
All: Amen.
Benediction from Henri Nouwen, With Open Hands, p. 119