February 8, 2026
WELCOME TO THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY!!
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation,
and of Enhancing the Epiphany Spirit
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Chair of Council: Vacant
Reader: Frieda Lovig
….and here’s the quote of the day…. “If we wonder about God’s timing, here’s the answer.
It’s better to be on ice now than in hot water later!”
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
INTROIT MV # 12 “Come Touch Our Hearts” (Come Touch and Bless)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
Leader: As we begin our time together, may the Candle of Christ burn brightly throughout our worship-time reminding us that we are never left in the darkness. May we all live in the light and shine, ever so brightly!
ACKNOWLEDGING THE TERRITORY (Leader)
OPENING CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Leader: …and this morning, we are reminded, as believers in Christ, of the words which he spoke to all of us…he said, “I am the Bread of Life.”
ALL:…so we answer, feed us so that we may play a part in feeding the hungry, both physically and spiritually.
Leader: …and other words which Jesus shared, “I am the Light of the world.”
ALL:…so we answer, shine through us to help bring some light into the dark places of the world.
Leader: …and more words which he shared, I am the Good Shepherd.”
ALL:…and we say, keep a grip on us so that we may always follow your will.
Leader:…and something else he said, I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
ALL:…so then please raise us up to live for others and for you.
Leader: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” said he.
ALL: Strengthen us to step out on your way, to take the risk of relying on your truth, and to live the Christ-life.
Leader: “I am the True Vine; you are my branches.”
ALL: Together we will bear fruit, and the cup we share will be intoxicating with joy.
Leader:…and, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending.”
ALL: Right! You are the be-all and the end-all of our lives. Now it’s time for us to begin some real living! We are now prepared to worship. Our hearts and minds now turn to the Holy One in Prayer:
Opening Prayer of Approach: (Unison)
O Holy God; from the depths of our hearts to the heights of our minds, you are the enclosing hands and the encircling arms. As we come here, in this place of worship, be the one in which we dwell; be the one in whom we trust – the path we walk, the food we eat, the laughter we enjoy. Be, to us, all of life worth living. And may we see, touch, hear, taste, and smell your presence in every moment. Then the very breath of our joy may spread your fragrance where we turn. And, like early spring blossoms, you may be savoured, in delighted surprise, and full cool pleasure, by the hopeless, the thirsty, and the lost…Amen.
ASSURANCE of PARDON (Leader)
God surrounds us with love and loves us, even when we act in unlovable ways. No matter where we are or what we have done or how we feel, God is there with us and for us, giving us reason to face another day with faith and with hope…thanks be to God!
PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST
(We share the words of “Peace of Christ to you” to each other and either shake hands, offer hugs or the blessing of Namaste…also, be mindful that it is flu season.)
*HYMN VU # 82 “A Light Is Gleaming”
MEDITATION (Leader) “Share The Prayer” a poem
Engaging the Sacred Text
(Reader: Frieda Lovig)
FIRST SCRIPTURE
ISAIAH 58:1-9a (600) The fast that God chooses…
SECOND SCRIPTURE
PSALM 112:1-9 (490) Delight in God’s commandments…
HYMN of ILLUMINATION “Salt of The Earth”
W. Paul Rumbolt, October 14, 2001 (used by permission)
“You are the salt of the earth,
you are the light of the world;
called to be children of God,
each man, woman, boy, and girl.
A city built upon a hill
will shine a light for all to see;
you are the salt of the earth,
you are the light of the world.”
(Sung through 2 or 3 times..)
GOSPEL PASSAGE
MATTHEW 5:13-20 (786) (Rev. Jope) You are salt; you are light…
SERMON / MESSAGE / HOMILY “Are We Truly, Salt and Light?
*HYMN MV # 172 “God Says”
Responding
OFFERING INVITATION (Leader)
Servanthood is hard, O God, yet you call us to serve. Giving to others beyond our own needs and wants is demanding, O Spirit, yet you give us the direction and the purpose. Following through on our commitment, O Christ, can be challenging yet you call us to reach out to others. Bless what we offer here as sings of our servanthood, our commitment, and of our self-giving…
EPIPHANY OFFERING MUSICAL SELECTION - Peace for the Journey arr. Joseph Martin
PRAYER of DEDICATION (Rev. Jope)
PRAYERS OF THIS COMMUNITY OF FAITH:
(An interfaith meditation in unison – parts for women and for men and utilizing MV # 19 “Maranatha – Aramaic for “Come, Lord”)
“Maranatha, maranatha, come, Lord Jesus, come.
Maranatha, maranatha, come, Lord Jesus, come.”
Women: We gather impelled by visions of holiness and
sometimes, visions of worldly dreadfulness. As children of many traditions, we inherit both wisdom and oftentimes tragic misunderstandings.
Men: Give us an aspiration for what is universal and true. Draw us to light, to love, to beauty. (Hindu)
Women: I forgive all living beings. Let all living things forgive me. Let all in this world be my friends. (Jain)
Men: God, may I strive to make the enemy a friend; may I strive to make the wicked righteous; may I strive to help the ignorant understand. (Zoroastrian)
And we sing: “Maranatha, maranatha….”
Women: May all beings be happy! As a mother protects her children, may we cultivate an open heart towards all beings.
(Metra Sutra: Buddhism)
Men: Hatred is never appeased by hatred; it is appeased by love. This is an eternal law. (Dhammapada: Buddhism)
Women: Worship inspired by fear is worship, but does not rise to the highest heaven. That is reserved for worship inspired by love. (Zohar: Judaism)
Men: You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbour, and hate your enemy’. I say: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who torment you’.
(Jesus: Christianity)
And we sing: “Maranatha, maranatha…
Women: The humble, meek, merciful, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the masks, they will know one another. (William Penn: Quaker)
Men: O God, it is thy word that humankind is a single nation. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with love and conscience. They should act toward one another as children of one family. (Koran: Muslim)
And we sing: “Maranatha, maranatha…
Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
You and I, we are the salt of the earth. We are called to let people notice the love of God reflected in our lives. Let us leave our place of worship to go out and season the world with love, today and every day…Amen (George Hutchcroft, Oakridge U.C., Vancouver, BC)
*HYMN MV # 209 “Go, Make a Diff’rence”
BLESSING (Rev. Jope)
RECESSIONAL
POSTLUDE MUSIC
GO IN EPIPHANY WONDER
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15th
Transfiguration Sunday
EXODUS 24:12-18
PSALM 2 (PSALM 99)
2 PETER 1:16-21
MATTHEW 17:1-9