LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, YEAR A
FEBRUARY 8, 2026
† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements John Strawbridge, Lay Leader
Choral Introit “O Worship the Lord” McCutcheon
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
serve Him with gladness, all the earth. Amen.
†Call to Worship
God calls us beyond worship that stays in the sanctuary.
God calls us into worship that becomes a way of life.
God calls us to loose the bonds of injustice and share bread with the hungry.
God calls us to be salt and light in the world.
Come, let us worship the God whose glory is revealed in love that acts.
†Opening Hymn “This Little Light of Mine” UMH 585
Prayer of Illumination
Holy Spirit, breath of the living God, open our ears to hear what is good, and open our hearts to receive what is true. Where we have made faith a performance, teach us worship that becomes justice. Where we have settled for easy answers, give us the wisdom of the cross. Where we have grown weary or afraid, speak the blessing of your kingdom again: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Illuminate your Word within us, that we may do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you—not only in this sanctuary, but in the world you so love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Reading from the Prophets Isaiah 58:1-9 NRSV
Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers. You fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
God of compassion and justice, you do not ask for empty praise—you ask for lives that reflect your mercy. Forgive us when we love comfort more than neighbor, when we avert our eyes from suffering, when we speak of light but refuse the costly work of shining. Set us free from faith that is performative and small. Teach us the worship you choose: to repair what is broken, to lift what is bowed down, to welcome those pushed to the edges, and to live with integrity before you. Make this church salt that preserves hope and light that guides the weary home. We pray in the name of Jesus, who calls us to action. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response “Holy Spirit, Come to Us” TFWS 2118
†A Reading from the Gospel Matthew 5:13-16 NRSV
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp put it under the bushel basket; rather they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend. Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Prayer For Our Time” Hopson
Offering Prayer
God of abundance, receive these gifts and turn them into bread for the hungry and shelter for the vulnerable. Let our giving become a living testimony to your love. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “We Are The Church” UMH 558
†Benediction
As you have been fed, go to feed. As you have been shown mercy, go to show mercy. Go as salt and light, in Christ’s name. Amen.
†Benediction Response New Testament Benediction Gregor
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude