Order of Service / Epiphany 3 / January 26, 2025

*Gathering Hymn See the Morning Sun Ascending (#406 VU |vs. 1&3)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: It is good to gather with friends

All: who know and accept us as people of faith.

One: It is good to gather with friends

All: who seek the meaning and purpose of life.

One: It is good to gather with friends

All: who wish to make a difference in our world.

One: Friends, let us worship!

*Karen Boivin. Gathering ACE 2024-2025. Page 47.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Come, Let Us Sing (#222 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Loving God, we confess that we have not always lived as one body in Christ. Sometimes we focus too much on ourselves and forget to value the gifts of others. Forgive us and help us to work together in unity and love. Teach us to support and encourage each other for Your kingdom. Make us one in Your Spirit, so we can serve You faithfully. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God loves each of us and calls us to be one body in Christ.

All: Even when we fall short, God forgives and restores us.

One: In Christ, we are made new and united in love.

All: We will share God’s love and serve together as one.

One: Rejoice, for God’s Spirit is with us!

All: Thanks Be to God! Amen.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve God Peace Like a River, VU #557)

I‘ve got peace like a river, I‘ve got peace like a river,

I‘ve got peace like a river, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Now you are the body of Christ and each one a part of it.

Psalm 19 (VU p.740-741) The heavens declare the glory of God.

Luke 4:14-21 Jesus reads from Isaiah, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me.”

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn The Church’s One Foundation (#125 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#540 VU | Grant Us, God, the Grace)

Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free,

That ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

 

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Generous God, we bring these gifts as a sign of our gratitude for Your abundant blessings. Use them to build up Your church as one body of Christ and to serve those in need. May our offerings reflect our love for You and our neighbours. Bless and multiply them for Your work in the world. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Blest Be the Tie That Binds (#602 VU)

*Commissioning

One: The spirit of God is upon us. We go out into the world for we have been anointed,

All: to share the good news with everyone we meet, to bring freedom to those held captive, to bring to those who have been displaced, to tear down all structures of oppression, to declare that this is God’s time. Amen.

*Commissioning Song Walk with Me (#649 VU|Refrain)

Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through (x2)

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