ORDER OF WORSHIP - JANUARY 4TH, 2026

Union Church
2 hours ago
3 min read

10:30 AM

SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

COMMUNION SUNDAY

**Kindly stand if you are able

PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship Service unless NECESSARY for medical reasons.

PRELUDE John Coates

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

OUR CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 147)

LEADER: Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

PEOPLE: He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.

LEADER: He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.

PEOPLE: He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.

LEADER: He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.

PEOPLE: He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his

ordinances. Praise the Lord!

INVOCATION

As we begin the New Year, we can be assured that every time we gather together, God is with us.

**OPENING HYMN “We Three Kings of Orient Are” Red #185

CALL TO CONFESSION

We are all flawed, with the need for God’s forgiveness. We offer our prayers to ask for

God’s understanding and grace.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

As we continue the joy of the Christmas season, we confess, Lord, that we too often do not live up to the promises made to you. We offer ourselves and our work, but we then find excuses to keep from fully honoring those commitments. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to live as you command throughout the coming year.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Year after year we fall short of the glory of God, but year after year God offers his hand

to lift us up. We are all assured of the Grace of the Lord.

**GLORIA PATRI Red #805

HYMN OF PRAISE “To God Be the Glory Red” #72

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

The scripture says that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God.

Let us hear the Word and let it enter into our hearts.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

NEW TESTAMENT Ephesians 1:3-14 Rob Ferguson

GOSPEL John 1:(1-9) 10-18

SERMON MESSAGE Becoming Children of God 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.

COMMUNION HYMN “For the Bread Which Yu Have Broken” Red #772

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table

Great Prayer of Thanks

Words of Institution

Prayer of Conclusion

**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.

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 “Lord of All God” Red #645

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 “Lord, Let Us Now Depart in Peace” Red #842

BENEDICTION

I will turn their mourning into joy,