Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 02-08-26 FINAL
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. February 08, 2026
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Meeting ID: 235 223 715
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** For those with health concerns, masks and safe social distance are suggested within the sanctuary, especially so, when singing or responding in prayer! Masks are available at the rear of the sanctuary.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 02-08-26 — 5th Sunday of Epiphany —
Prelude — Musician Amy Cann
“Believe Your Eyes” ( words & music Thomas Keesecker, 2026)
Lyrics in Music Notes at end of bulletin
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #100 “When Morning Guilds The Skies
1 When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer to Jesus I repair; may Jesus Christ be praised!
2 Discordant humankind, in this your concord find, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound, may Jesus Christ be praised!
3 Sing, suns and stars of space, sing, all that see his face; may Jesus Christ be praised!
God's whole creation o'er, both now and evermore: may Jesus Christ be praised!
4 Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song through all the ages long, may Jesus Christ be praised!
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
Perfect Light of revelation, as you shone in the life of Jesus, so shine in us and through us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we might become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all Your creation with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
*Response: (Hymn #100, Verse 2)
Discordant humankind, in this your concord find, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Scripture:
Isaiah 58: 1-3 & 6-8
Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side.
"Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers.
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked,
to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly;
Matthew 5: 13-16
"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 underfoot.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
People do not light a lamp 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.
*Hymn #461 “Lord Whose Love in Humble Service”
1 Lord, whose love in humble service bore the weight of human need,
who upon the cross, forsaken, worked your mercy’s perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but heart;
consecrating to your purpose ev’ry gift which you impart.
2 Still your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread;
still the captives long for freedom; still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion healed the sick and freed the soul,
by your Spirit send your power to our world to make it whole.
3 As we worship, grant us vision, till your love’s revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness dawns upon our quickened sight,
making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to tireless service, your abundant life to share.
4 Called by worship to your service, forth in your dear name we go,
to the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show;
hope and health, good will and comfort, counsel, aid and peace we give,
that your servants, Lord, in freedom may your mercy know and live.
Reflection: “ The Difference We Make ” Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis:. From the prophesy of Isaiah to the teaching of Jesus in the “Sermon on the Mount,”. we are told again and again how we are to respond as disciples for Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. And we try, but at the end of many days, we are left wondering: what difference could we make?
“Romero Prayer,” courtesy Salt Project.Org
*Hymn #62 Creator God Creating Still ©
1 Creator God, creating still, by will and word and deed,
Create a new humanity to meet the present need.
2 Redeemer God, redeeming still with overflowing grace,
Pour out your love, on us through us, make this a holy place.
3 Sustainer God, sustaining still, with strength for every day,
Empower us now to do your will. Correct us when we stray.
Great Trinity, for this new day we need your presence still.
Create ,redeem, sustain us now to do your work and will.
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License #21383697
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.
Offertory: —Musician Amy Cann
“Light of the World”, from Godspell (words & music, Stephen Schwartz, 1971)
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: — Guest Musician Amy Cann
“A Little Bit of Salt” (words, Carol Gillette 2026; music, “LEONI”, ancient Hebrew)
Please greet your neighbors on Zoom or at a “Safe Social Distance” in the sanctuary, as the postlude ends. On Zoom unmute your mikes, share greetings and the peace of this virtual space.
Masks are optional but available in the sanctuary for those with health concerns,
Music Notes:
Believe Your Eyes – Thomas Keesecker, 2026
Believe your eyes, and not the lies of those who would deceive you - believe your eyes!
Hold out your hands across this land to neighbors who are frightened - hold out your hands!
Come move your feet, take to the streets and march against injustice - come, move your feet!
Here we stand; together we are strong!
Rise up and let the whole world know
That all God's children here belong.
Believe your heart, it's torn apart because you love so deeply - believe your heart!
Lift up your voice, you have no choice, so make it loud and mighty - lift up your voice!
Here we stand; together we are strong!
Rise up and let the whole world know
That all God's children here belong.
A Little Bit Of Salt - Carol Winfrey Gillette, 2026
A little bit of salt will quickly show its worth;
A little bit of faithfulness will change the earth.
God, make us worth our salt — a church that's glad to be
The change that you desire in each community.
A lamp that's in a house gives safety, warmth and light;
It's set upon a table where it shines so bright.
God, make your church a light that bravely takes a stand
To bring your love and justice into all the land.
When worship leads us out to love and serve the poor,
To welcome in the immigrant* at our own door,
O God, then we'll be called "repairers of the breach,"
And we your church will be "restorers of the streets."
It's tempting to remain well-hidden, quiet, bland —
Yet, God, you make us salt and light to change this land.
You send us out to love, to build and to repair,
Till peace and justice flourish here and everywhere
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Arthur Park *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Dennis Scharback *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Gayle Arbuckle *Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Sophie Field *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Sherry Brown & Family *Ed Gruelich *Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Flo & Tim Bosch *Ross Ludeman
*The Olsson families.
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Jerry Goldlust (Christine Tattersall’s close friend) *Family & friends of Bob Wright *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Donald F.M. Bolton *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Family & friends of Norm Robertson *Family & friends of Ginger Ludeman
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Addie Hall Vogel. Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Judy & Chuck Dickinson, Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
Celebrate the Joyful Promise!