CHRIST CANDLE LIGHTING:
In this season of Epiphany in Canada,
we are still in the depths of winter.
Cold, howling winds and long nights
may keep us inside, and we long for spring.
May this Christ light warm our hearts and light our way,
so that we can be faithful disciples in this time.  Amen.
     Adapted and used with permission from Gathering:   ACE 2025-2026; Beth W. Johnston

All sing: VU 54 “In the Bleak Midwinter” verse 1&4 only seated
1.  In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

4.  What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him - give my heart.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Why are we called to this place?
To be God's people.
What is required of us?
To seek justice, to love kindness, to live humbly with God.
And how shall we do this?
With our prayers, with our thoughts, with our actions, and with our love.
Then, as people who are both blessed and blessing:
Let us worship God!
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Richard Bolt

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Creator of All, this is the day that you have given us. We join together this day, each of us coming from our own lives, with our own diverse experiences, to celebrate the feeling of being together as your people. We seek a faith that will create in our hearts the hope found in the blessed promises you have made to us. Our emotions, ranging from joy to sorrow, we offer to you. You know our hearts and welcome us into your presence. Forgive us, guide us, and teach us as we give thanks to you for this new day. Help us to keep you securely within our hearts this day and always. In the name of our Redeemer and Saviour, we pray. Amen
     Adapted/Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Robert J. Murdock

3.  LEARNING TIME:

4. HYMN:  VU 222 “Come, let us Sing”
1.  Come, let us sing to the Lord our song,
we have stood silently too long;
surely the Lord deserves our praise,
so joyfully thank God for our days.

2.  O thirsty soul, come drink at the well;
God's living waters will never fail.
Surely the Lord will help you to stand,
strengthened and comforted by God's hand.

3.  You dwell among us and cause us to pray,
and walk with each other following your way;
our precious brothers and sisters will grow
in the fulfilling love they know.

4.  Deserts shall bloom and mountains shall sing
to the desire of all living things.
Come, all you creatures, high and low,
let your praises endlessly flow.

5.  PRAYER OF YEARNING:
When we feel beaten down by the world. Merciful One, free us from sorrow and grief. When we are wounded by careless words, help us refrain from lashing out in our suffering and hurting the ones we love. Fill us with a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, that we may walk humbly in your ways and be blessing to everyone we meet.  Amen.
      From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
     Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

6.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
God is stronger than our weaknesses, and greater than our failings. Even when we fall short, God's love embraces us and sets us on the path of life once more.
Thanks be to God!
      From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
     Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

7.  PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. As God's beloved children, let us share the peace that Christ brings with those around us.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

8.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams….He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord requires of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" In this spirit, let us bring our offerings before the Lord.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

9. 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.

10.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Source of justice and mercy, work through this offering to bring your gifts to the world: righteousness and peace, love and kindness, hope and joy. May our gifts truly express our gratitude for your many blessings for our church and for your children everywhere.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.

11. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:

12.  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 that live :
for the Spirit guides and prods and enlivens, but always accompanies us.
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Gord Dunbar.

13. THREE FOLD AMEN

• Micah 6: 1 -8
  The LORD's Challenge to His People


• Responsive Reading:  Psalm 15 VU page 736
  REFRAIN: Within your holy place, O God, who shall a dweller be”


• 1 Corinthians 1: 18 - 31
  Christ Is God's Power and Wisdom


• The Gospel of Matthew 5: 1 - 12
  The Sermon on the Mount

Next Sunday:  Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
        February 8, 2026:
         Isaiah 58:1 - 9a, [9b-12];   Psalm 112: 1 - 9, (10);
         1 Corinthians 2: 1 - 12, [13-16];  Matthew 5: 13 - 20.

Note: Don't have a Bible? By Clicking on the button below, you can open a new window in an Online Bible. By entering the BOOK and CHAPTER, you will be able to look up the references in the sermon. Copy and paste will work as long as there is no other words between the book name and chapter number. Try it and Enjoy!

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