3nd Sunday after Epiphany January 26, 2020

Grace United Church

“In you there is a vision, in you we learn to dream… In you there is a future, in you we find our way.” from MV 84

“Grace United Church strives to welcome, inspire, and support all in personal and spiritual growth as we walk with Jesus Christ on our faith journeys.”

We Gather to Praise God Music Prelude “Faith’s Tribute” Noble Welcome and Greeting

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you. And also with you

Call to Worship* Many of us spend our lives rushing,

to get things done, to go to places we need to be, to achieve our destinies.

Some of us spend our time hurrying, from one place to another, through one activity on the way to another, forgetting to take time to enjoy what is around us.

On this Sabbath day, let us slow our hurrying and calm our rushing, taking time to settle into worship, and taking time to settle into God.

God is here, with us now, with us always. Let us recognize this Holy Presence as we worship today.

Hymn: “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” VU 822 Opening Prayer**

Infinite One, we gather this morning… on our way from something… on our way to something… but here we stop.

We stop to rest, to turn our attention to all that is holy. We stop to gather in community, held and loved, to worship together.

We stop to give praise, to sing, to pray, to give, to receive, to experience your Spirit moving among us.

Singing The Lord’s Prayer VU 959

Prayer of Confession*** Precious One, Loving God, the changes in our world are happening so fast that sometimes we feel left behind.

Forgive us when we scorn change and justify ourselves with nostalgia about the good old days.

Open our senses to the ways you are working in our time and keep us from judgment when our own fears take hold of us. When obstacles block our trust in your call, remind us of the courageous leaders and teachers, who risked following you in ways that were new in their time, ways that we now take for granted.

Bless us with confidence and vision rooted and grounded in faith, and in the ways of Jesus, who makes all things new. Amen.

Words of Assurance****

The good news of God’s love is this: God is more persistent than we are. God sends us what we need so that we can come to our senses and change our way and our path.

Thanks be to God.

Greeting Your Neighbour and Passing the Peace of Christ Hymn: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say VU 626 Learning with the Children Service of Lighting the Candle*****

We light this candle to remind us of the presence of Christ. The light from this one candle shines equally for each of us.

We light this candle to remind us of the love of Christ. The light from this one candle shines equally for the world.

We Hear God’s Loving Word for us Prayer of Illumination******

This is the time of reflection. This is the time of inspiration. This is the time of determination. This is the time to set out in a new direction,

May you, our most just and loving God, bless our receiving of the word. Amen.

Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Words of Wisdom from the prophet of Isaiah. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4: 12-23

The witness of the early church. Thanks be to God.

Hymn: “In Christ There is No East or West” VU 606 Meditation We Respond to God’s Word in Faith and Action Offering Invitation*******

God’s way in the world is illuminated through the gifts of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, who guide us to choose life— to choose the presence of God, now and always.

Let us offer our gifts—that the work of the Spirit can continue the work of bringing life in our community and around the world. Let us join together in our morning offering.

Offertory “Jesus I Come” Smith Offertory Response VU 540

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******** Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession Minute for Mission

Life and Work of the Congregation

Hymn: I The Lord of Sea and Sky VU 509 Commissioning and Benediction*****

As we journey along the Epiphany road with Jesus, may we reach out to each other in love and support, reach out to others as Jesus would and reach to God for strength and guidance.

May the blessings of God the Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit be with each one of us as we leave this place. Go now in peace.

Congregational Benediction Spirit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Postlude “Postlude” Simper

Written by *Heather McClure; **Sheryl Spencer; ***Wendy MacLean; ****Beth W Johnston; *****Jeanne Wilson; ******David Sparks;

*******Frances Flook; ********Kate Gregory. Gathering ACE 2019-2020. Pgs 47-53. Used with permission. Today’s service is being recorded and is available to view on our YouTube channel ‘Grace United

Tavistock’. Permission to print/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license A-621399 and Christian Copyright License # 11316249.