february 1, 2026

Jan 31
3 min read

Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

Please use this Order of Service to easily follow the service online.

Prelude: Richard Harper

Chalice Lighting:

Out of the flames of fear

We rise with courage of our deepest convictions

to stand for justice, inclusion and peace

Out of the flames of scrutiny

We rise to proclaim our faith

With hope to heal a fractured and hurting world

Out of the flames of doubt

We rise to embrace the mystery, wonder and awe

of all there is and all that is yet to be

Out of the flames of hate

We rise with the force of love

Love that celebrates our shared humanity

Out of the flames we rise

Opening Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing NCH 593

Welcome & Announcement

Call to Worship:

We gather today to worship the One who created us,

The One who calls us,

The One who equips us,

The One who loves us without end.

With joyful hearts, let us worship God.

Prayer of Invocation:

First Sacred Reading: John 1:29-42

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ³¹I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” ³²And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”³⁵The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”³⁷The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). ⁴²He brought Simon^[^c^] to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter⁾.

Passing of the Peace

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns

Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer

Offering & Doxology: We Give You But Your Own – NCH 785

We give you but your own, what e'er the gift may be; All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Second Sacred Reading: Udanavarga 1.20-22

“These children and riches are mine”; thinking thus the fool is troubled. Since no one even owns himself, what is the sense in “my children and riches”? Verily, it is the law of humanity that though one accumulates hundreds of thousands of worldly goods, one still succumbs to the spell of death. All hoardings will be dispersed, whatever rises will be casts down, all meetings must end in separation, life must finally end in death.

Hymn of Reflection: Nada Te Turbe

Sermon: What Are You Looking For?

Service of Communion:

God is with you

And also with you

Let us open our hearts

Let us open them to God

Let us give God thanks and praise

It is a good and joyful thing to do

Closing Hymn: Some Glad Morning NCH 595

Benediction: Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

Postlude: Richard Harper