Bulletin- Sunday, February 1, 2026 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Sunday, February 1, 2026
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

We Gather as People of Faith

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

One:   In this season of Epiphany, like our sometimes-changing moods, the winter storms have come and gone without a care, keeping us at times isolated and cautions.
All:      We light this candle today to remind us we are all welcome as we are. Christ remains always at the centre of our lives. In this gathering, our spirits are fed so that we can be the light for the world that cries out for healing and justice, in changing times.

Minute Person(s)

Announcements

Call to Worship

One:   Blessed are we who gather in this place willing and desiring to be with God, to open our hearts and minds, to seek the way of the Lord.
All:      We come desiring to know that we are loved. Knowing that God’s wisdom will sustain us. We seek you O faithful one, we trust in You.

One:   In prayer, in silence, in song, and laughter, through the sharing of the word, and wisdom, O Risen Christ, we know you are near, embodied within your Church. We shall not fear.
All:      Blessed are we who gather near and far to worship God who is our guide and our hope. We trust in your saving hand, and your goodness O loving God.

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Spirit, Open My Heart” (More Voices #79)

Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender.

Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory.

Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another.

Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Like the people of Israel long ago we too often feel we are travelling alone. Where are you when life is difficult and challenging? How are you present when wars are imminent and leaders abuse power? Despair seems to grip us and freeze our hearts and cloud over our minds. The path we need to walk is sometimes unclear. We are alone and unsure.

Words of Assurance

God has brought the world into being and knows each of us by name. So, we live in hope and trust even when life is tumultuous. We know that God has done great things for us. With your strength, courage, and power O Creator, we are emboldened to be co-creators with you of your justice and mercy. Always walking humbly with you at our side.

Sung Response – “Bathe Me in Your Light” (More Voices #82 verse 3)

Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.

Time for All Ages

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Love Over Hate” (Then Let Us Sing #139)

Love over hate, our sacred song.
Sing in our hearts our voices stone.
All of the earth, each place, faith,
Each on belongs.

You of my heart, You of my soul,
You are the Love that makes us whole
You of my heart, You of my soul,
You are the Love that makes us whole.

Love over fear, our common dream.
Justice that flows, a mighty stream.
Kindness and mercy calling,
For you and for me.

You of my heart, You of my soul.
You are the Love that makes us whole.
You of my heart, You of my soul,
You are the Love that makes us whole.

Love over lies, our promise true,
Healing and hope held high anew.
Strengthen our lives with courage
To carry us through.

You of my heart, You of my soul.
You are the Love that makes us whole.
You of my heart, You of my soul.
You are the Love that makes us whole.

We Hear God’s Word

Scripture Readings

The first scripture reading is from the prophet Micah 6:1-8

¹ Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. ² “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. ³ “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. ⁴ I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. ⁵ My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” ⁶ With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? ⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? ⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

The second reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them. He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!

Sermon – “God Does Not Want Us To Be In Debt”

Anthem – “The Beatitudes”

How blessed are those who know their need of God,
The kingdom of heaven is theirs.
How blessed are the sorrowful, consolation is near.
How blessed are those of a gentle spirit,
For them the earth will provide.
How blessed are those who hunger and thirst,
To see right prevail.
They shall, they shall, they shall be satisfied.

How blessed are those who show mercy,
Mercy shall be shown to them.
How blessed are those whose hearts are pure,
God shall be seen by them.
How blessed are the peacemakers,
They are called the children of God.
How blessed are those who suffer persecution
For the cause of right,
To them belongs, to them belongs,
To them belongs the kingdom of God.

How blessed are those who know their need of God,
The kingdom of heaven is theirs.
How blessed are those who know their need of God,
The kingdom of heaven is theirs.

We Respond to God’s Word

Invitation to Share

Offering Sung Response – “In Gratitude and Humble Trust” (Voices United #544)

In gratitude and humble trust
We bring our best today
To serve your cause and share your love
With all along life’s way.
O God, who gave yourself to us
In Jesus Christ, your Son,
Teach us to give ourselves each day
Until life’s work is done.

Offering Prayer

Generous God, we give you back but a portion of the blessings you have poured out on us. We thank you and are gracious. We ask you to bless these gifts that are offered here today, so that we can further your work of the Church. To build healthy communities for all who are close and for all those communities around the world in need of love and support. Amen.

Prayers of the People

https://youtu.be/O5_TVy2gHRg?si=pzwj4q0Cma-1pGRO

Invitation to the Passing of the Peace

Please offer one another the peace of Christ in a way that you feel comfortable and respects others’ space.

The Prayer that Jesus Taught

One:   Please join me in praying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: Our Creator who is like…
All:      Our Mother and 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 them that 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.

We Go Into God’s World

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “From This Holy Time”

From this holy time, from this sacred space,
We go now to serve our own day and place,
Committed to follow the way Jesus trod:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

He lives in our midst, though gone from our sight,
Baptized in his name, we walk in his light;
We treasure his presence, example and word:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Let this be our life, till Christ comes again–
To love as he loves and work for God’s reign,
This song in our hearts and this sign on our road:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Commissioning

O God of justice and mercy, we are so grateful you have found us. Renewed in faith, strengthened in love we go now into the world. To be instruments of your justice, mercy—love and peace. We know we can trust your holy presence to guide and lead us to a light and hope for this broken and blessed world.

Benediction

Let us go out into the world, to share the love of God our Creator with all we meet. Filled with the true joy that is our life in the risen Christ. Assured in our steps by the power of the Holy Spirit who is always with us.

Sung Response – “Show Us Christ in One Another”

Show us Christ in one another.
Make us servants strong and true.
Give us all your love of justice,
So we do what you would do.
Let us call all people holy.
Let us pledge our lives anew.
Make us one with all the lowly.
Let us all be one in you.