Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
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FEBRUARY 15 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God is our light.
All: Without light, we cannot see.
One: Let us seek after God,
All: That the world might be plain to us.
One: Let us come into God’s presence,
All: And see the beauty of God in all the earth.
One: Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness.
All: Thanks be to the one through whom we see.

OPENING SONG *
“Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining (Shine, Jesus, Shine)” (#192)
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us;
set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me; shine on me.

Refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine;
fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze;
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow;
flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord,
and let there be light.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]

As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness;
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]

CALL TO CONFESSION *

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
All: Merciful God, we confess that we often try to earn what you freely give. We measure worthiness, draw boundaries around belonging, and doubt your promises when healing feels delayed. Forgive us for limiting your grace. Forgive us for mistaking certainty for faith.  Forgive us for believing that love must be deserved. Speak your word again into our lives, and raise us up into new trust and new obedience.

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS *
One: God of light, we confess that we do not always want to see.
All: We turn away from suffering that feels inconvenient. We cling to certainty when curiosity is required. We protect our comfort instead of practicing compassion. We stay silent when truth feels risky.
One: Like the Pharisees, we sometimes defend systems instead of people. Like the parents, we sometimes choose safety over courage.
All: Forgive us, O God. Teach us to walk in your light. Heal our vision and teach us to pause, to listen, to think, so that we may follow your Son’s leading more closely, every day.

GLORIA *
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG

SCRIPTURE (John 9:1-41)

SERMON

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
All: We believe in Jesus Christ, the light of the world, who sees the forgotten, heals the wounded, and challenges the powerful. We believe God is still opening eyes—calling us to truth, forming us in courage, and sending us out in love. We believe the Spirit walks with us as we learn to see more clearly and follow more faithfully. Amen.  

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: God of compassion, we pray for a world aching for clarity, for those whose vision is not clear: those who cannot or will not see poverty, hunger, sickness, for what they really are: not punishment for foolish behavior; not the fault of weak and vulnerable people,  but rather the result of greed and selfishness.
All: We pray for justice in our world. We pray that those who are different may be seen and loved for who they are. We pray for those who want to make a difference that they may be empowered.  We pray for those who can make a difference that they may be inspired to action.
One: For leaders who shape policies and communities—grant wisdom and humility.
All: For neighbors divided by fear or ideology—teach us how to listen deeply and love boldly.
One: For journalists, educators, and truth-tellers—give courage in the face of pressure.
All: For those pushed to the margins—the poor, the sick, the weary, the unseen—may they know they are noticed by you.
One: We will pray all this in the name of your son who taught us to pray, saying…

LORD’S PRAYER
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

CLOSING SONG *
“Guide My Feet” (#741)
Guide my feet while I run this race;
guide my feet while I run this race;
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!

Hold my hand while I run this race;
hold my hand while I run this race;
hold my hand while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!

Stand by me while I run this race;
stand by me while I run this race;
stand by me while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!

I'm your child while I run this race;
I'm your child while I run this race;
I'm your child while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!

Search my heart while I run this race;
search my heart while I run this race;
search my heart while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!

Guide my feet while I run this race;
guide my feet while I run this race;
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain!

CLOSING MESSAGE *

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit