Crescentville United Methodist Church

 

5th Sunday after Epiphany                            Agape Meal                                  February 08, 2026

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

 Chorus of Welcome                                        “The Family of God”

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God—I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod; for I’m part of the family, the family of God.

 

Call to Worship 

L: God said, "Let there be light."

P: And there was light.

L: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world."

P: And the light shone in the darkness.

L: Jesus said, "You are the light of the world."

P: And the light shall not be quenched.

 

 

Opening Praise Song                                    “Shine A Light”                       by Elevation Worship

 

Waking up to another life, No more sorrow and no more night

You're the light, let it shine now, let it shine now

Burning bright cause we're not ashamed Got a world to illuminate

You're the light, let it shine now, let it shine now

 

Refrain: Nothing can stand against us, Our praise will break the darkness

              We declare, Your kingdom's here, because our God is for us

              We're living in the promise;  We declare, Your kingdom's here

 

Shadows fade as you now arise; Hope is here with no end in sight

You're the light, let it shine now, let it shine now

You're the light, let it shine now, let it shine now [refrain]

 

Shine a light, shine a light - Shine a light, shine a light

Shine a light, shine a light - Shine a light, shine a light

-

We've got a light and we're gonna shine, Jesus, let your name be glorified

We've got a light and we're gonna shine, Forever let your name be glorified

We've got a light and we're gonna shine, Jesus let your name be glorified

We've got a light and we're gonna shine’ Forever let your name be glorified

 

Opening Prayer (in unison)

Lord, you have incorporated each of us into your mighty act of salvation. You give each of us work

to do. Forgive us when we water down our saltiness. Forgive us when we hide your light shining

through us. Help us flavor a world grown dull with the savor of your kingdom. Help us shed light in

the places where there’s the darkness of death and despair. We ask for your strength and grace, you

who are the light and life of the world,  Amen.

 

Youth Message

 

The People’s Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer                

 

Singing of the Lord’s Prayer - Our Father, which 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

 

 

Hymn of Reflection                        “Be A Light”

 

Be a light, be a star, be a candle in the dark - You can shine like a city on a hill

Give your hand, give your heart - Give the very best you are

Be the salt of the earth if you will

 

Refrain:   You can help and serve somebody you know

     Share your light and love whenever you go

                For life can be blessed and bright

                when you choose to be a light.

 

Always seek to be meek, don't get angry or upset

Never swear or call anyone a fool.

Just forgive and forget, for nobody’s perfect yet

Never judge other folks. It’s not cool.  [refrain]

 

Jesus taught us to serve and give; For that’s the happiest way to live

 

Have some faith when you pray in the quiet of your room

For He knows what you need before you ask.

And in all that you do try to live the golden rule.

Every good thing you choose to do will last.  [refrain]

 

Gospel Lesson                                                                             Matthew 5:13-20 [NRSV]                    

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, 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.

 

Sermon                                                                                                          "Salt & Light”

 

Affirmation of Faith                                                                                  The Apostles’ Creed

      I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

      And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord:

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;

      the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven,

      and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

      from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead;

 

      I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,

      the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

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Gather your own symbolic elements, and Pastor Lori will indicate when we eat and drink together, even though apart.

 

Prayer (This prayer was written by Charles Wesley especially for the Love Feast and recommended for use at all Love Feasts by both John and Charles Wesley.)

 

Father of earth and heaven, Thy hungry children feed, Thy grace be to our spirits given, That true immortal bread. Grant us and all our race, in Jesus Christ to prove, The sweetness of Thy pardoning grace, The manna of thy love. Amen

 

(Ready, and honor, our symbols.)

 

Interlude:  Be present at our table, Lord; be here and everywhere adored;

      Your creatures bless, and grant that we may feast in paradise with Thee.

 

Partake bread together.   [One Bread One Body - bread - 1 verse no vocals]

 

Partake drink together  [One Bread One Body – drink - 1 verse no vocals]

 

Prayer In Unison

   Gracious and loving God, We give you thanks for this simple and holy meal. As you have nourished our bodies, nourish our souls that we may leave this site strengthened in love, bound together in grace, and renewed in hope.

   Keep us mindful that this feast does not end here, that it continues in our daily living, in acts of kindness, justice, and compassion. We offer ourselves to you with grateful hearts in the name of Jesus Christ who is our bread of life. Amen.

      

Closing Hymn                                        “Pass It On”                                      # 572

 

It only takes a spark to get a fire going

And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it, you spread His love to everyone

You want to pass it on

 

What wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it, you want to sing

“It’s fresh like spring”; you want to pass it on

 

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I’ve found

You can depend on Him, it matters not where you’re bound

I’ll shout it from the mountain top – PRAISE GOD

I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me

I want to pass it on           

 

Benediction

                  

Choral Benediction                 ““We Are Marching”

We are marching in the light of God.  We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching in the light of God.   We are marching in the light of God.

 

We are marching, marching, we are marching, ooh,

We are marching in the light of God.  [Repeat 4x]

 

 

 

Lectionary Scripture Readings

Peace. Reading the Bible can fill us with peace and remind us that peace comes from God.

February 15, 2026 - Transfiguration Sunday

Matthew 17:1-9 - Exodus 24:12-18 - Psalm 99 - 2 Peter 1:16-21

 

 

 

Joys & Concerns:  Keep those prayers going and thank God for His answers!

To add a prayer request or share a joy, please call or text Sue Creevey 267-847-6029

Praying for others gives us a chance to listen to God so we know how we can help. Prayer is powerful and sometimes it’s the only thing we can do, but it’s also a chance to let God tell us how we can be His hands in the world.

 

 

Prayer Request - February 4, 2026

Prayer request from Cass Cassiano - She is having respiratory troubles and is in Jeanes Hospital  Please pray for relief and recovery!

 

Prayers for Cass’s daughter Amber Sarkar, she is currently in rehab and needs to find a place to live by February 18th, as Cass is not able to care for her at home.

 

Prayers Requests from February 1st

Prayer for traveling mercy as SamueI Cole returns home this week to attend the funeral service of his Aunty Fatu C.Blibo .

JOY -  Cocoa's dog Diesel did well with his dental surgery. He had to have three teeth extracted.

Prayers for Rhonda Whited's mom, June Trentham. In hospital in Tennessee - taken to ER via ambulance last evening. Internal bleeding from her Ostomy bag. Praying they can find the source of the bleeding and stop it.

Dende is asking to keep her family in prayers as her Uncle is planning a memorial service for her Dad at his church on Saturday 3/7/26 (service is local).

Traveling mercies for Dende and her brother as they travel on 4/2/26 to Sierra Leone for a memorial service for their dad, Rev.Caulker.

Prayers that Dende's home heat is restored soon

Prayers for Donnette Litchmore and family

Prayers for Keith and Michelle as they grieve the death of Jennifer.  Jennifer has been on our continuous prayer list since April 2025.

Prayers for all who are effected by extreme cold weather and snow.

Prayers that Crescentville UMC may return to indoor worship next week.

My mom, June Trentham is in the hospital, taken to ER via ambulance last evening. Internal bleeding from her Ostomy bag. Praying they can find the source of the bleeding and stop it.

Rhonda is asking for prayer for an extended family member in TN. Tamara Marcum is being tested for MS. She has been having issues for a year.

 

Continuing Prayers for: 

Martha & Wondor Korto     Sheryl Duke        David & Esther Clinton    Tracey & Bill Lewis    

Pastor Lori                         Amber Sarkar      Lori Rovevelli                   Crescentville UMC

Prayers for those living with constant pain and other ailments.  

For those who are sick, and those that grieve.  For those who live in war zones and poverty.

 

For families, especially:

Zilpha and James Browne, The Stefanescu, Mc Manus, Salvadore, and Didirea Families, Jean Bernard and family, The Spotts Family, Bresnan Family  

 

For an end to violence, for peace and stability                                        

Philadelphia, especially our community     -   Sierra Leone, Africa   

Haiti   -    Israel and Hamas   -   Ukraine and Russia

 

Please praise and pray for our youth – they are the future of our church!   

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING WORSHIP & EVENTS

 

Women’s Fellowship – Date TBD

 

Ad Council – Date TBD

 

Feb 18th thru April 2nd - The season of Lent

 

February 18th - Ash Wednesday – Holy Communion and imposition of ashes

 

March 1st – Pretzel Sunday – Holy Communion

 

Wednesdays March 4,11,18,25. Lent Bible Study on Zoom

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March 29th – Palm Sunday 10:30 Worship - Bowling party in the afternoon.

 

April 2nd - Maundy Thursday 7:00 PM Worship – Holy Communion & stripping of altar.

 

April 3rd – Good Friday 7:00 PM Tenebrae service

 

April 5th – Easter Sunday – NO HOLY COMMUNION – Holy Communion will be on April 19th

 

April 12th – Laity Sunday

 

April 19th – Youth Sunday – topic earth day

                     Holy Communion

 

April 22nd – After worship Women’s Fellowship Fashion show about aprons.