Bulletin -Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Second Sunday after Epiphany

Sunday, January 18, 2026
Second after Epiphany

We Gather as People of Faith

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Leader:         We light the Christ Candle as a reminder of the light of Christ that came into the world for all.

Liturgist:       It is a symbol of God’s presence with us in worship today.

Leader:           May the light of Christ shine brightly in our lives each and every day.

Announcements

Call to Worship

One:   Epiphany is a time of revelation, a time when we see or understand things for the first time, or perhaps in a new way.
All:      Open our eyes to see your light, O God.

One:   Epiphany is a time when we hear God’s call and all that God is calling us to be.
All:      Open our ears to hear your calling, O God.

One:   Epiphany is a time to experience God’s grace, abundant and overflowing.
All:      Open our hearts to receive your grace, O God.

One:   Epiphany is a time for worship that we might behold the Lamb of God, and seek to follow Jesus.
All:      Open our lives to respond in worship to you, O God.

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Jesus Calls Us” (Voices United #562)

Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day this clear voice sounding,
Saying, “Christian, follow me.”

Long ago apostles heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned form home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”

Jesus calls us: by your mercies,
Saviour, may we hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience,
Serve and love you best of all.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

God of the ages, we come to the scriptures looking for you and seeking to discover your will for us. We are called to discipleship, to be a witness, and to spread your love to all people.

God, you ask us to love kindness, to do justice and to walk humbly with you. Yet so often we are only interested in doing justice if there is no cost to us. Forgive us when we fail to love kindness and when we fail to walk humbly beside you because it doesn’t fit into our plans.

We confess our mistakes and our sins. In this time of silence we name all that we have done that has fallen short of the glory of God…We pray for forgiveness for all that has been brought before you, O God. Create in us a pure heart as you have freed us from all that we let go in our confessions to you.

Words of Assurance

One:   You are a God of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love.
All:      We are forgiven people. Fill us with grace and compassion, spreading your love all around us as we strive to live your grace and forgiveness in this world. Thanks be to God.

Sung Response – “Bathe Me in Your Light” (More Voices #82 verse 1)

Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator,
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.

We Hear God’s Word

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49: 1-7

¹ Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. ² He made my mouthlike a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. ³ He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” ⁴ But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”

⁵ And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—⁶ he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

⁷ This is what the Lord says—the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Gospel Reading:     John 1:29-42

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he is before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look the Lamb of God!”

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

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

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Jesus, You have Come to the Lakeshore” (Voices United #563)

Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise one;
You only asked me to follow humbly.

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.

You know so well my possessions; my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
You will find there my nets and labour.

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.

You need my hands, full of caring through my labours to give others rest,
And constant love, that keeps on loving.

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.

You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
My loving friend, as thus you call me.

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.

Sermon

Anthem – “Servant Song”

What do you want of me, Lord?
Where do you want me to serve you?
Where can I sing your praises?
I am your song.

I hear you call my name, Lord,
And I am moved within me.
Your Spirit stirs my deepest self.
Sing your songs in me.

Jesus, Jesus, you are my Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

Above, below, and around me,
Before, behind, and all through me,
Your Spirit burns deep within me.
Fire my life with your love.

You are the light in my darkness.
You are my strength when I’m weary.
You give me sight when I’m blinded.
Come, see for me.

Jesus, Jesus, you are my Light.
Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

I am your song and servant,
Singing your praise like Mary.
Surrendered to your Spirit,
‘Let it be done to me.”

Jesus, Jesus, ‘Let it be done to me.’
Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

We Respond to God’s Word

Invitation to Share

God offers us so many gifts as well as opportunities to share and be generous. Now is such a time—an opportunity to share of our abundance. With gratitude for every gift of time, talent, and money given with love—our offerings will be received.

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

God of abundance, bless these gifts. May these gifts be used to strengthen our witness to the gospel, here in our community and to the wider church and to the world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Prayers of the People

One:   As we come to you…
All:      God of Love, hear our prayers

One:   God, during this season of epiphany, we open our hearts and our minds to the light and love you brought in the sending of your son Jesus. We are grateful for the many teachings offered by Jesus during his time on earth. As we hear his invitation to follow him to become his disciples, walk with us and show us the way, open our eyes to the inequalities and injustice, faced by many around the world and in our own community. Guide us in our understanding. Help us to know when we are called to action when to speak out and when to listen.

One:   As we come to you…
All:      God of Love, hear our prayers

One:   We pray for all people and places in the many areas in the world affected by conflict and war, for innocent people whose lives are shattered as conflict rages around them. We pray for hope, for peace and protection, We pray for our leaders, in our country and in countries around the world, that they will be guided by wisdom and discernment, as they make decisions affecting people’s lives.

One:   As we come to you…
All:     God of Love hear our prayers.

One:   We are grateful for all who have gathered for worship today.  We come with our doubts and fears, our joys and celebrations. We pray for all in our community of faith and beyond who live with uncertainty as they face health issues, bereavement, broken relationships, job loss, we pray for all who need your healing touch. We pray for those whom we name before you…

We pray that you will make your presence known and surround them with the peace that only you can give. We name in silence, our own concerns and those we are concerned about…We claim your love as we seek to walk with you and with each other on the path you have said before us. Amen.

Invitation to the Passing of the Peace

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 – “Would I have Answered when You Called”

Would I have answered when you called,
Come, follow, follow me!?
Would I at once have left behind
Both work and family?
Or would the old, familiar round
Have held me By its claim
And kept the spark within my heart
From bursting into flame?

Would I have followed where you led
Through ancient Galilee,
On roads unknown, by ways untried,
Beyond security?
Or would I soon have hurried back
Where home and comfort drew,
Where truth you taught would not disturb
The ordered world I knew?

Would I have matched my step with yours
When crowds cried, “Crucify!”
When on a rocky hill I saw
A cross against the sky?
Or would I too have slipped away
And left you there alone,
A dying king with crown of thorns
Upon a terrible throne?

O Christ, I cannot search my heart
Through all its tangled ways,
Nor can I with a certain mind
My steadfastness appraise.
I only pray that when you call,
“Come, follow, follow me!”
You’ll give me strength beyond
My own to follow faithfully.

Commissioning

God, you brought light and love into this world in sending your son Jesus, who came to live among us, who came to teach us. We are called to follow Jesus. You call us to spread your light and love wherever we go and with all we meet.

Benediction

As we leave this place of worship, may we be filled with God’s grace, with the love of Jesus and the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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.