Livestream broadcast will be available at 10:45 AM: (Please note that the “Order of Worship” below is an edited shorter version of the Sunday Bulletin)
“REFLECTIONS”
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
January 18, 2026
Second Sunday after Epiphany
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST / PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
OFFICE COORDINATOR: Jodi Hargreaves
SCRIPTURES READER: Dorothy Hawtin
PIANO/ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We acknowledge that we are gathered on treaty 6 area and the homeland of the Metis. For thousands of years, the First Peoples of this place have cared for the land even as the land cared for them. Guided by the wisdom of their traditions and their ancestors, they have been taught that the circle of life is embraced and embracing. Let us carry on this wisdom. Let us live into right relations with love and respect. Adapted and used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2022-2023; Jamie Miller
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRIST CANDLE LIGHTING:
These short days of January, we yearn for light. We must wake up before dawn breaks, and night descends upon us early in the evening. Oh, how we crave light.
Into this reality has come Jesus the Christ, the One we call the Light of the World. It is with that assurance that we light the Christ candle.
All sing: VU 87 “I am the Light of the World” refrain only Refrain: I am the light of the world!
You people come and follow me!'
If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
God calls us to this place, to sing and pray, to listen and receive the word, to remember and to share in the holy meal God provides for us. Thanks be to God! Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;George Allan.
2. OPENING PRAYER: I waited patiently for you, O God. You lifted me out of the miry clay and set me firmly upon a rock. You put a new song in my heart, a song of praise and thanksgiving. Many shall notice and wonder. Many shall put their trust in you, O God, just as we put our trust in you as we gather in this place. Amen. Adapted/Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Robin Wardlaw
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN: VU 395 “Come In, Come In and Sit Down” Refrain: Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.
1. You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain;
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
2. God is with us in this place,
like a mother's warm embrace.
We're all forgiven by God's grace,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
3. There's life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine,
but we are a part of the family. Refrain
4. There's rest for the weary and health for us all;
there's a yoke that is easy, and a burden that's small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION: Life-Giving God, may the words we receive take on new meaning, so that our lives are full of love. May the thoughts that are stimulated be of justice, kindness, and mercy. May we receive again your call to act boldly and courageously. We pray, trusting in your grace. Amen.. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Laura J. Turnbull
6. PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Holy Love, you have created us to be reflections of you in our own wonderful uniqueness. You have created us to love without any other agenda.
And yet sometimes we fail to do so. Sometimes we turn away from another in fear or judgment. We want to be accepted; we want to be one of the crowd.
teaching us we are all a part of your creation and beloved by you. May we be people of integrity and grace, acting from mercy and truth.
May we be people of courage even when we are afraid. May we be filled with the Spirit of life, truth, and compassion,
reflecting your love and mercy always. Amen.
Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Susan Girard
7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
God's grace and forgiveness are larger than our Milky Way galaxy. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Bill Perry
8. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
With songs of joy in our mouths and songs of praise for our God, let us great one another and share the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
9. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Yesterday, we received with gratitude. The gifts of today, we receive with gratitude. Tomorrow, we again will receive with gratitude in our hearts. Yesterday, we gave as followers of Jesus. Today, we give as followers of Jesus. Tomorrow, we again will give as Jesus' disciples. We present now our offerings. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Bill Perry
10. OFFERTORY VU 540 “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.
11. OFFERING PRAYER: Holy Creator, we give you ourselves and the gifts of our hands.
Use us to spread your kingdom of love and compassion. Use us to further your kingdom of justice. Use us to bless and nurture your creation. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Susan Girard
Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.
E-transfers can be sent to: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net answer to security question is: “payment”
12. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:
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 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.
13. HYMN 606 VU “When Pain of the World”
1. When pain of the world surrounds us with darkness and despair,
when searching just confounds us with false hopes everywhere,
when lives are starved for meaning and destiny is bare,
we are called to follow Jesus and let God's healing flow through us.
2. We see with fear and trembling our aching world in need,
confessing to each other our wastefulness and greed.
May we with steadfast caring the hungry children feed.
We are called to follow Jesus and let God's justice flow through us.
3. The church is a holy vessel the living waters fill
to nourish all its people, God's purpose to fulfill.
May we with humble courage be open to God's will.
We are called to follow Jesus and let God's spirit flow through us.
4. We praise you for our journey and your abundant grace,
your saving word that guided a struggling human race.
O God, with all creation, your future we embrace.
We are called to follow Jesus and let God's changes flow through us.
14. BLESSING:
Go and proclaim the simple message of hope: that God is Love, always sustaining all creation.
Go and live out the complex reality of faith: that Jesus calls us to live with compassion and generosity in a world that struggles to perceive Love's power.
Go and become disciples alive: for the Spirit guides and prods and enlivens, but always accompanies us. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Gord Dunbar.
15. THREE FOLD AMEN
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Isaiah 49: 1 - 7
The Work of the LORD's Servant
Responsive Reading: Psalm 40: 1 - 11 VU page 764 REFRAIN: You put a new song in my mouth, your name to glorify”
1 Corinthians 1: 1 - 9
The Gospel of John 1: 29 - 42 The Lamb of God
Next Sunday: Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 25, 2026: Isaiah 9: 1 - 4;
Psalm 27: 1, 5 - 13; 1 Corinthians 1: 10 - 18; Matthew 4: 12 - 23.
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