Weekly Worship

Middleton United Methodist Church Liturgy

Updated for Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 [First Sunday in Lent]

Prelude - Debbie

Welcome/Announcements - MB

Passing the Peace - MB

One: May the peace of the Lord be with you!

Many: And also with you!

Gathering Hymn - Amazing Grace (UMH #378, v. 1-4) - Debbie

Call to Worship - Sarah Dawson

One: The season of Lent calls us to pause; to turn away from the noise of the world and toward the quiet of the heart. We come to seek the Lord,

Many: whose mercy is great and whose love is steadfast.

One: Even in the wilderness, God provides a path. Even in the shadows, Christ is our light. So let us lay down our burdens and open our spirits to the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

Many: We lay down our burdens at the feet of our Lord.

One: Come, let us worship God as we journey together toward the cross.

Many: We offer our hearts in worship; we offer our lives in service! Amen!

Opening Prayer (in unison) - Sarah Dawson

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon. 

Where there is doubt, let us sow faith; where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, let us bring light; and where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Sing together - Glory be to the Father (UMH #70) - Debbie

Scripture Reading - Sarah Dawson

God, open our hearts and minds, that as the scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today.

Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity, that the discipline of these forty days may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship, and whet our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. And all the beloved said: Amen.

Scripture Reading - Psalm 32 (CEB)

The one whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered over, is truly happy! The one the Lord doesn’t consider guilty—in whose spirit there is no dishonesty— that one is truly happy!

When I kept quiet, my bones wore out; I was groaning all day long— every day, every night!— because your hand was heavy upon me. My energy was sapped as if in a summer drought.  So I admitted my sin to you; I didn’t conceal my guilt. “I’ll confess my sins to the Lord, ” is what I said. Then you removed the guilt of my sin. 

That’s why all the faithful should pray to you during troubled times, so that a great flood of water won’t reach them. You are my secret hideout! You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of rescue! 

I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you. Don’t be like some senseless horse or mule, whose movement must be controlled with a bit and a bridle. Don’t be anything like that! The pain of the wicked is severe, but faithful love surrounds the one who trusts the Lord. You who are righteous, rejoice in the Lord and be glad! All you whose hearts are right, sing out in joy!

One: This is our prayer.

Many: Lord, hear our prayer.

Lenten Candle Liturgy - Sarah Dawson

As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness and pain of injustice in the world.

(A candle is extinguished).

Let us pray: Loving God, as we journey through this holy season of Lent, give us strength and courage to make the changes that are needed in our lives. Open our hearts and minds to your steadfast presence and help us to put our trust in you. And all the beloved said: Amen.

Lectionary Hymn - Take Time to be Holy (UMH #395) - Debbie

Prayers of the People - Pastor Mary Beth

God of mercy, your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing. Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation, that we who have been set free from sin by Christ may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.

Beloved friends, in this season of repentance and healing, we accept God’s invitation to be ever-mindful of the needs of others, offering our prayers on behalf of God’s community in the church and the world.

Are there any requests?

(The congregation is invited to speak their requests. After each request is spoken, we all respond in unison. For prayer requests, we respond, “Lord, hear our prayer.” For praises, we respond, “Lord, we lift this praise.”)

Fill us with your strength to resist the seductions of our foolish desires and the tempter’s vain delights, that we may walk in obedience and righteousness, rejoicing in you. And all the beloved said: Amen.

(A moment for silent prayers)

And now let us pray the prayer the Lord taught all the disciples to pray. Let’s be so bold as to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed by 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.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil;

For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.

Doxology - Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH #95) - James

Prayer for Today’s Offering

Generous God, we bring these gifts to you as a sign of our gratitude and our commitment to the Lenten journey. Use these offerings to bring hope to the weary and to extend your love to a world in need. As we give of our resources, help us also to give of ourselves, following the path of service set before us by Jesus Christ. In the name of Christ, our crucified Lord, all the beloved said: Amen.

Prayer Hymn - Lord, I Need You (Matt Maher) - James

Sermon - Mark 15:1-5, 15 (CEB) - Station 1 - Pastor Mary Beth

Betrayed. Deserted. Alone. Jesus stands before an unjust judge. Dry palm branches crackle under the feet of the crowd. Soldiers rain down punches and crown him with thorns. Jesus is condemned to die.

At daybreak, the chief priests—with the elders, legal experts, and the whole Sanhedrin—formed a plan. They bound Jesus, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.” The chief priests were accusing him of many things.

Pilate asked him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? What about all these accusations?” But Jesus gave no more answers, so that Pilate marveled.

Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, so he released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus whipped, then handed him over to be crucified.

One: This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Many: Praise to you, Lord Christ!

Sermon Hymn - Lead Me to the Cross (Brooke Ligertwood) - James

Benediction - Pastor Mary Beth

May the God of the wilderness lead you into the quiet of the heart. May the grace of Christ sustain you on the road toward the cross. And may the power of the Holy Spirit give you courage to walk in love, today and throughout these forty days. Go in peace to serve the Lord. Amen.

Sending Hymn: Song of Hope (TFWS #2186) - Debbie & James

Postlude - James