February 8, 2026

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Scouting Sunday

Order of Worship

In-Person Sunday Morning Service at 9:30 am

or Recorded Worship Service

To access our recorded service, please visit our website:

www.umcw.org/sermons

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

 "O What Their Joy and Their Glory Must Be"  

UMH #727

Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

A Time to Connections

(in-person service only)

Meditation Time

Introit

    “Meditation on Beautiful ”  

arr. Cathy Moklebust  

Bell Choir    

Call to Worship

Liturgist: Come, all who hunger for meaning, all who long to live lives that matter.

People: We come. seeking the light of Christ.

Liturgist: Jesus calls us salt of the earth and light of the world — not hidden, not silent, not distant.

People: We come to be renewed, so our lives may reflect God's love.

Liturgist: Come and worship the One who fulfills the law with love and calls us into a deeper, truer righteousness.

People: We come to worship the God who grace transforms us all.

Opening Prayer

Faithful and revealing God, You gather us into Your presence and call us by name. You name us salt when the world feels bland or bitter. You name us light when shadows feel strong and persistent. As we worship today, season our hearts with Your grace, and rekindle the light You have placed within us. Teach us what it means to live faithfully — not for show, but for love; not for approval, but for Your glory. Open our ears to Your Word, our hearts to Your Spirit, and our lives to Your transforming work. We offer ourselves to You, trusting that You are still at work among us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn

      “To God Be the Glory” 

  UMH #98

Message in Music

  "The Lord Now Sends Us Forth"

arr. Cathy Moklebust

Bell Choir 

Children's Time

Courtney Till

Joys and Concerns

Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response
"More Like You"

TFWS #2167

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings: Matthew 5:13-20

13 “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.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 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.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,[a] not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (NRSV) 

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Message

 “Called to Be Salt, Called to Be Light”

Pastor Jinyong Choi

WE RESPOND

Offering

 “Lord, Be Glorified” 

TFWS #2150

based on John 15:8

Doxology

UMH #94

Offertory Prayer

Generous God, everything we have comes from You — our gifts, our time, our energy, our very lives. As we offer these gifts today, receive them as signs of our gratitude and our desire to live as salt and light in the world. Use what we bring to bring healing where there is hurt, hope where there is despair, and justice where there is need. May our giving reflect not obligation, but love — and may our lives continue to shine for Your glory. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

   “I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” 

  TFWS #2153

The Blessing and Sending Forth

Pastor: You are the salt of the earth.

People: May our lives bring flavor, healing, and grace to the world.

Pastor: You are the light of the world.

People: May our light shine with courage, humility, and love.

Pastor: Go now, not hiding what God has given you, but living your faith openly and faithfully.

People: We go to live the way of Christ — loving deeply, acting justly, and walking humbly with God.

Pastor: Any may the light of Christ go with you, before you and behind you, within you and among you.

People: Thanks be to God. Amen.

Benediction Response

"reprise Meditation on Beautiful Savior"

arr. Cathy Moklebust

Bell Choir

Postlude

"Toccata in F major"

Dietrich Buxtehude

IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE

Liturgists: Kyra Knox

Ushers/Greeters: Nancy Keelan

Organist: Matt Cron

Sound: Joe Solodiuk

Projection: Sharon Lipp

Video: Sharon Lipp

Our Mission Statement

“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”

Our Openness Statement

“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”

Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.

www.umcw.org

STAY CONNECTED