ORDER OF WORSHIP - JANUARY 11TH, 2026
- Union Church
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
ORDER OF WORSHIP
JANUARY 11T
H, 2026 10:30 AM
THIRD SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
**Kindly stand if you are able
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship Service unless NECESSARY for medical reasons.
PRELUDE Meditation for Worship - Franklin Ritter John Coates
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 29)
LEADER: The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the
LORD, over mighty waters.
PEOPLE: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of
majesty.
LEADER: The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
PEOPLE: The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the
wilderness of Kadesh.
LEADER: The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king
forever.
PEOPLE: May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his
people with peace!
INVOCATION
May the presence of the Holy Spirit bless us today as we gather together to worship.
**OPENING HYMN “The Church’s One Foundation” Red #689
CALL TO CONFESSION
We come to the Lord with humility, knowing that we are all sinners. We ask the Lord for his forgiveness for our sins.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Lord, we know that we too often fail to commit to the work of building your kingdom on Earth. We are willing to wait for others to do the work that we could do. We too often turn away from the problems of the world and hope someone else will see. Help us to do what is hard and to see what is clear so that we help all your children.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
We do not know what will happen in our lives, but we do know that we are children of
God and that belief in him offers salvation.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
HYMN OF PRAISE “Baptized in Water” Red #758
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God, help us so to hear your holy Word that we may truly understand; that, understanding, we may believe.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT Acts 10:34-43 Dan Olson
GOSPEL Matthew 3:13-17
SERMON MESSAGE Are You Ready? James Phillips
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their
own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who
taught us to pray, saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. May our gifts be
a blessing to those who receive them. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY ”Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” Red #190
DOXOLOGY Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)
**PRAYER OF THANKS
We thank you, our Lord for those gifts to us that we send to you for your work and ours
in congregation, community, and culture. Guide us in good use as we ask in Jesus’
name. Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “God Be With You” Red #840
BENEDICTION
I do not know you God because I am in the way. Please help me to push myself aside.
-Flannery O’Connor
POSTLUDE “God’s Love Made Visible” Red #179
James Phillips
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
(845) 562-0954