February 1, 2026

Order of Service

Welcome

We are in the midst of Flourishing Faithfulness, a sermon series centered on what it truly means to flourish. Together, we are exploring what flourishing looks like, name the internal and external barriers that get in the way, and discover practical, life-giving practices that help growth take root and last.

Nursery Announcement & Children’s Ministry Volunteer Ask

*nursery is available for the entirety of service upstairs, parents room downstairs, busy bags

Opening Prayer

In a time when our nation feels weary—
when headlines are heavy,
when violence, division, fear, and uncertainty surround
Christ still speaks to us:

Come to me, all who are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.

We come carrying grief for what has been lost,
anxiety about what lies ahead,
anger at injustice,
and exhaustion from trying to make sense of it all.

Jesus invites us to lay these burdens down,
to take on his yoke—
a way shaped by gentleness, humility, truth, and love.
Here, we find rest not by turning away from the world,
but by being renewed for it.

Christ calls us to worship
to breathe again,
to listen deeply,
to remember who we are and whose we are,
and to be formed into people who can love our neighbors well.

So let us come—
to be renewed
and to be sent back into the world as builders of peace.

Amen.

Communion Call & Response Prayer

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
that we may reflect your light in the world.

Pour out your Spirit on this bread and this cup,
that through them we may receive
your sustaining presence and guidance.

As we eat and drink,
nourish us with your grace.
Shape us by your love,
and draw us more fully into your life.

By your Spirit, make us one with Christ,
one with one another,
and one with our neighbors.

All this we pray through Jesus Christ,
in the power of the Holy Spirit,
to your glory, now and always.
Amen.

Worship

Lay It All Down

*Instrumental during reading

Communion Reading

On the night Jesus was betrayed,
he gathered at the table with his disciples.
As they were eating, he took bread,
gave thanks, broke it, and shared it with them, saying,
“This is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

After the meal, he took the cup and said,
“This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood.
Drink from it, all of you, and remember me.”

So, following Jesus’ example and his command,
we take this bread and this cup—
ordinary gifts among us—
which Christ uses for extraordinary grace.

And as Jesus prayed before sharing the meal,
let us pray together now:

 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,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever.

Amen.

Communion

Worship

Lay It All Down

Invitation for Connection - Stephanie

As we have been welcomed by Christ at this table, let us now turn to welcome one another by sharing the peace we have received by saying, “God’s Peace be with you.”

(pause for a moment for peace to be offered)

After sharing a message of peace, Children are invited to go upstairs for the Children's Ministry.

Announcements

Foundations Class What does it  look like to follow Jesus together—in our neighborhood, with our neighbors, and for the long haul?

This 4-week class happening February 4, 25 and March 4, 25 from 6:30-7:30 pm explores the core practices of Christian Community Development and how they shape our values at Wellington Heights Community Church.

Whether you’re new to WHCC or have been here for years, this class is an invitation to deepen your understanding of our shared values and discover how we can journey together.

RSVP to office@wellingtonheightscommunitychurch.org

CoderDojo at WHCC in partnership with NewBoCo offers free programming for kids from kindergarten to 5th grade on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 3:30-5:30 PM. Hope to see you this Tuesday!

Peace House Youth Group will be held on Wednesday, February 4th at the church building.

We are looking for volunteers to bring a meal to share at Youth Group. Please connect with Briana@wellingtonheightscommunitychurch.org to sign-up

We are hiring an Office Coordinator (on-site, part-time position) and Events & Ministry Coordinator (hybrid, part-time position). Help us spread the word! Check out the website for a job description, resumes may be sent to stephanie@wellingtonheightscommunitychurch.org

Volunteer Opportunities Sign up for a volunteer team at the back table! Opportunities include assisting with tech on Sunday AM’s, Grounds Team assisting with simple projects around the church building and more. Volunteer sign-ups happen every six months (January & July), so take a moment to consider how you might invest your time and gifts at WHCC.

Next Sunday is Embodiment Sunday which offer space for rest, connection and embodiment of a spiritual practice, which is communicated through the WHCC digital newsletter the Thursday prior to Embodiment Sunday. During this season, Embodiment Sundays will focus on journaling, with sermon based prompts provided for all ages.  Free journals are available at the back table—please take one!

Scripture Reading 

Matthew 11:28-30, CEB

28 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. 30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

Sermon

Pastor Keeyon Carter

Worship

Begin … again.

Benediction

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and a good hope. May he encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Let’s go forth in peace.