Southern Nebraska Register
All are invited to an ecumenical worship service at the St. John XXIII Diocesan Center in Lincoln, 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Monday, Jan. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event, “Light from Light for Light,” is held in honor of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25. It will be a candlelight service of prayer, Scripture fellowship, led by Bishop James Conley, in collaboration with Protestant and Orthodox leaders.
It is hosted by More Mercy, a Catholic apostolate founded by Max Chapman of Lincoln. The initiative, with its goal to “Restore Christian unity through Truth and Love,” has the full support of Bishop James Conley.
More Mercy was inspired by the prayer of Christ moments before His Passion: “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).
“Jesus prayed for visible unity of those who would believe in Him, so that they would offer a compelling witness to the world of the truth of the Gospel,” Chapman said. “It is no surprise then, that the Catholic Church teaches that division among Christians ‘openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature’ (Unitatis Redintegratio, 1).”
More Mercy team members have developed friendships with Christian ministry leaders from roughly 80 non-Catholic Christian communities within the Diocese of Lincoln.
“When we heard about this opportunity to pray together with other Christians,” Chapman said, “we approached Bishop Conley to see if he would be available to lead this prayer gathering. He graciously agreed and afterward we quickly turned to our brothers and sisters from non-Catholic Christian traditions to invite them to participate.”
In recent years, the Holy See’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity has offered materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, to help Christians around the world to take steps in dialogue, collaboration, and prayer. This year, the Dicastery provided materials for an “ecumenical worship service” that is designed to allow for Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians to join in prayer together. The title of the service, Light from Light for Light, is inspired by the attribute of Christ adopted by the Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed, the monumental touchstone of all Christians. The 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed was commemorated in 2025.
While some might be hesitant to enter into a prayer service with people of other faiths, Chapmain pointed out that the Catholic Church teaches that “it is allowable, indeed desirable that Catholics should join in prayer with their separated brethren. Such prayers in common are certainly an effective means of obtaining the grace of unity, and they are a true expression of the ties which still bind Catholics to their separated brethren” (Unitatis Redintegratio, 8).
Jesus promises that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20), he recalled.
“If the Catholic Church highlights that ‘public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement’ (Unitatis Redintegratio, 8),” he said, “our More Mercy team wholeheartedly wants to help facilitate these opportunities.”
At the Jan. 19 event, More Mercy will have programs for attendees to follow the liturgy. There will be hymns, several Scripture readings read by Christian ministry leaders of different faith traditions, responsorial prayers, and a short sermon by Bishop Conley, about the Nicene Creed. After the prayer service concludes, there will be a reception for Christians to connect with one another around some snacks and refreshments.
“If anyone is timid about this event,” Chapman said, “I would encourage some time spent with the Divine Mercy image of Jesus and the ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ prayer. Jesus continues to lead us through His Body, the Church. We do not need to be afraid of following what the Church encourages us to do.”
Several of the Christian leaders planning to attend offered their encouragement, as well.
Rev. Dr. Melodie Jones Pointon of Eastridge Presbyterian Church said: “We don’t like to hear about how divided our town, our country, and our world is, but I know we’re all carrying a lot of anxiety about it.
“We worry about what can happen if we don’t know others and aren’t known by others,” she continued. “I believe the best way to resist this division is to intentionally come together. The invitation to participate in this service is a step towards coming together, and I am looking forward to worshipping with my fellow siblings in Christ.”
Pastor Joshua McFall of Radiant Church agreed.
“My relationships with our Catholic brothers and sisters have been deeply fruitful in fellowship, love, and genuine connection,” he said. “I believe this reflects the call of Christ to His body and bride to prioritize our love for one another. While we’re not seeking to resolve centuries of division in a single moment, this gathering is a meaningful opportunity to continue intentional ecumenical fellowship. And what better place to do so than in prayer? I’m greatly looking forward to the momentum this shared time will create.”
With questions about the event, or about More Mercy, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
