Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
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JANUARY 18 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We gather in the presence of the God who disrupts injustice.
All: We come seeking truth, courage, and transformation.
One: When systems exploit and dehumanize, love overturns tables.
All: When fear silences voices, justice speaks.
One: We remember a prophet who dreamed of freedom, who trusted love more than hate.
All: We worship the God who calls us to build the beloved community.

OPENING SONG *
“Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation” (#275)
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one,
Holy Zion's help forever,
and our confidence alone.

To this temple where we call you,
come, O Lord of hosts, today;
with all your faithful loving kindness,
hear your people as they pray,
and your fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.

Here bestow on all your servants
what they ask of you to gain,
what they gain from you forever
with the blessed to retain;
and hereafter in your glory
evermore with you to reign.

CALL TO CONFESSION *

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
One: God of truth, We confess that we have often honored the dream without embracing the cost of justice.
All: We remember the words of Dr. King, but hesitate to follow his call to confront racism, poverty, and militarism.
One: We have benefited from unjust systems, chosen order over justice and remained silent when love demanded action.
All: We have turned sacred spaces into places of exclusion and allowed fear to shape our faith.
One: Forgive us, O God. Disrupt what needs to be overturned.
All: Cleanse our hearts as Jesus cleansed the temple. Reform our lives so that love, not fear, guides our action.
One: Clear away what does not give life. Create space within us for justice, for mercy, for courageous faithfulness.
All: May our worship be honest, and may it move us toward transformation.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE *
One: The Holy One does not abandon the work of love. What God cleanses, God also renews.
All: We receive forgiveness, healing, and new life.
One: In grace, we are freed to begin again.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

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
“Lift Every Voice”

SCRIPTURE (John 2:13-25)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: God of all peoples, we pray for the church, that it may be a house of prayer, justice, and welcome,
All: that it may be a voice for truth and a shelter for the marginalized.
One: We pray for communities scarred by racism, for those targeted by hatred,
All: and for all whose lives are devalued, remembering the witness of Martin Luther King Jr. and all who have labored for justice.
One: We pray for leaders and institutions, that power may serve the common good and policies may reflect compassion and equity.
All: We pray for those who continue the work of justice today, often at great personal cost.
One: We pray for all who suffer, for the weary, the grieving, and the hopeful.
All: Your sanctuary is a place of prayer, praise, and healing. Grant to all who need it your wholeness and restoration.
One: As you moved Jesus to confront injustice and empowered Dr. King to challenge oppression,
All: move us to resist racism, to reject violence and hatred, and to labor for a world where dignity is shared by all.
One: Make us builders of the beloved community, faithful in love, persistent in hope, and courageous in justice.
All: Hold our spoken and unspoken prayers within your steadfast love.
One: We pray in the precious name of Jesus, 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 *
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” (#628)
Precious Lord, take my hand
lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night
lead me on to the light:
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear,

precious Lord linger near,
when my life is almost gone,
hear my cry, hear my call
hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears
and the night draws near,
and the day is past and gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

CLOSING MESSAGE *
One: Go now in the spirit of prophetic love. Go remembering the dream, but more importantly, living it.
All: May the God who overturns injustice strengthen our hands for good work, steady our voice for truth, and guide our steps toward freedom and peace.
One: Go in peace, to love boldly and live truthfully. Amen.

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit