February 8, 2026

February's Mission focus is TESSA

TESSA was founded on January 1,1977. TESSA offers confidential support and services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and their children through a number of services.

TESSA staff provide help in crisis situations through a Safe Line. Works with victims to create safety plans and connects victims with other community services.
TESSA's Safehouse provides shelter, food, case management, housing assistance, counseling and support to female survivors and their children.

The TESSA Team helps victims navigate the criminal justice system, provides legal assistance and connects victims with community resources.

TESSA team members provide counseling, case management, support groups and fun group activities for kids both in and out of the TESSA Safehouse.

Finally, TESSA Therapists provide individual and group psychotherapy, as well as the therapeutic support groups for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

February's mission is Tessa. In March we will have a "Hands on Mission” putting together children's Comfort Kits.

Often, the children spend hours sitting in a hospital, police station, courtroom or come into Tessa with nothing. These kits will offer them things to do during these long waiting times. The kits cost $5 each and will include mini-coloring books, crayons, a squishy toy, mini-playdough, a finger puppet and a mini-story book.

If you would like to donate to buy "Comfort Kits" please include the words Comfort Kit in the memo line of your check, on your envelope or designate the account for your online giving.

Thank You in advance for your generosity in giving
these kids a touch of normalcy in their lives.

February 8, 2026 9:30 am Worship Service

Gathering

Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts

Welcome
Rev. David Petty

Crossing the Threshold

Call to Worship
Lu Petersen

Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: Let us walk in the light of God
Leader: We receive the light of Christ, embody the light of Christ,
and share the light of Christ.
People: Let us BE the God's goodness and light, shining into the world.
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
People: We shall rejoice and be glad in it!

*Worship Hymn
This Little Light of Mine
UMH #585
WORDS: African American spiritual (Mt. 5:14-16)
Adapt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House

1. This little light of mine,
I’m goin’a let it shine,
this little light of mine,
I’m goin’a let it shine;
 
this little light of mine,
I’m goin’a let it shine;
let it shine, let it shine,
let it shine. (let it shine)
 
2. Everywhere I go,
I’m goin’a let it shine,
 everywhere I go,
I’m goin’a let it shine;
 
everywhere I go,
I’m goin’a let it shine;
let it shine, let it shine,
let it shine. (let it shine)
 
3. All through the night,
I’m goin’a let it shine,
 all through the night,
I’m goin’a let it shine;
 
all through the night,
I’m goin’a let it shine;
let it shine, let it shine,
let it shine. (let it shine)
 
*Opening Hymn
Keep Your Lamps

1. Keep your lamps
Trimmed and burning;
Keep your lamps
Trimmed and burning;
 
Keep your lamps
Trimmed and burning,
For the time
Is drawing nigh.
 
Refrain
Sisters,
don’t grow weary;
Brothers,
don’t grow weary;
 
Children,
don’t grow weary,
For the time
Is drawing nigh.
 
2. It’s our faith
Makes us happy;
It’s our faith
Makes us happy;
 
It’s our faith
Makes us happy;
For the time
Is drawing nigh.
 
Refrain
Sisters,
don’t grow weary;
Brothers,
don’t grow weary;
 
Children,
don’t grow weary,
For the time
Is drawing nigh.
 
*Greet Your Neighbor – Passing the Peace of Christ

Mystery Box

Scripture Reading
Matthew 5:13-20
Lu Petersen
“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.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 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. 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.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 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. 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. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer for Illumination
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Message
A Public Faith that Illuminates and Heals
Rev. David Petty

Prayer Song

Thy Word
UMH #601
WORDS: Amy Grant, 1984 (Ps. 119:105)
© 1984 Meadowgreen Music Co. / Bug and Bear Music
Refrain
Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet
and a light
unto my path.
 
1. When I feel afraid,
think I’ve lost my way,
still you’re there
right beside me,
 
and nothing will I fear
as long as you are near.
Please be near me
to the end.
 
Refrain
Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet
and a light
unto my path.
 
2. Now I will not forget
your love for me and yet
my heart forever
is wandering.
 
Jesus, be my guide
and hold me to your side,
and I will love you
to the end.
 
Refrain
Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet
and a light
unto my path.
 
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer
Rev. David Petty
 
The Lord’s Prayer
      
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 trespasses, 
 
as we forgive those
who trespass against us. 
Lead us not 
into temptation 
but deliver us from evil. 
 
For Thine is the Kingdom, 
and the Power 
and the Glory forever.
Amen

Invitation to Offering
Lu Petersen

Offertory

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
 
*Doxology
Praise God from Who All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
 
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
 
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!

*Closing Hymn/Song
 
*Closing Hymn
Pass It On
UMH #572
WORDS: Kurt Kaiser, 1969
© 1969 Communiqué Music, Inc.
 
1. It only takes a spark
to get a fire going,
and soon all those around
can warm up
in its 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.
 
2. What a 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.
 
3. I wish for you, my friend,
the happiness
that I’ve found;
you can depend on Him,
it matters not
where you’re bound.
 
I’ll shout it from
the mountaintop;
I want my world to know;
the Lord of love
has come to me,
I want to pass it on.

*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

*Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts