25 January 2026, HYBRID WORSHIP Epiphany 3

Epiphany IV

Hybrid Worship

 1 Feb 2026

Presider: Mona Smart

Music Director: Frances Thielmann

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Words For Worship

Words in bold italics, please say together

Prelude

Call to Worship

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Sprit, be with you all.

And also with you.

Opening Prayer

Loving God, we are grateful for the gift of worshipping together in safety and peace. May our time together be a bridge to unite our hearts with yours. Help us to draw near to you with open hearts, knowing that in you is our solace, wisdom, guidance, and your steadfast love. Amen.

Candle Lighting

Loving God; By your light we see light.

Grant us the light of faith and wisdom that we may see where

error clouds our vision, where lack of love and faith withers

our hopes. Grant us the light of faith and wisdom that we may

see more clearly and learn to follow you with joy. Amen.

Hymn: Spirit of the Living God                                               VU #376

 

Acknowledgement of the Land

We prayerfully acknowledge with thanksgiving that we gather on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw people. Gracious God, help us to seek a new relationship with the first peoples here, one based in honour and respect. Amen.

Prayer of Forgiveness

Merciful God,

Jesus taught us not to be anxious
about our lives or about tomorrow.
We confess we have not fully lived this,
we have not trusted and loved you
with our whole heart and mind and strength.
Help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be:
that we may delight in your will
and learn the wisdom of your ways. Amen

Assurance of Grace

Most merciful God,

in your steadfast love and grace,

pardon and forgive us our sins and errors,

confirm and strengthen us in all goodness and faith,

and grant us knowledge of your truth through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith

The Lord our God, the Lord is one,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

With all your soul,

With all your mind,

And with all your strength.

This is the first and great commandment.

The second is like it:

Love your neighbour as yourself.

These is no greater commandment than these.

Peace of Christ

May the peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.

Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-8 (NRSVUE) Reader: Nancy Hetherington Peirce

God Challenges Israel

Hear what the Lord says:
    Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
    and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against his people,
    and he will contend with Israel.

“O my people, what have I done to you?
    In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
    Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
    what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

“With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?                     

This is the Word of God

We give thanks for this word today.                    

Gospel Reading                                         Reader: Nancy Hetherington Peirce                                       

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel.

God be with you.

And also with you

The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew

Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSVUE)

The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This is the Gospel of Christ.

We give thanks for Good News today!

Word: The Beatitudes or The Supreme Blessings

Hymn of Response: God Make Us Servants of Your Peace  VU #676

Life & Work Of The Church

The Prayers of the People                                                    Betty Schultze                                       

Loving God

            Hear Our Prayer

Lords Prayer

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours now and for ever.

Amen.

The Offerings

Let us now gather our offerings            

(While offerings are gathered, quiet music is played. Monetary offerings are brought to the front and the congregation sings)

Doxology                                                                                                                                         CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Prayer of Dedication

Surprising and sustaining God,

send your Spirit upon the work of our hands and the hopes

of all our hearts that these gifts and even our very lives might tangibly proclaim your peace and persistently share your love.

Amen.

Closing Words / Prayer

O loving God,

In moments of uncertainty,

we seek your unwavering light.

Strengthen our faith and deepen our trust in your divine plan.

Help us to give over our worries to you

and embrace your guidance,

knowing that you are always with us.

May our hearts be filled with peace

as we faithfully trust in your promises.

In your holy name, we pray.
Amen.

Hymn: Take Time to Be Holy                                                     VU #672

Sending & Blessing                                               

God, we humbly seek your divine wisdom

that we may grow in faith and trust.

Illuminate our hearts and minds with your truth,

guiding us in our decisions and actions.

Grant us discernment to navigate life’s challenges

and the grace to embrace your will.

Help us to use our faith to grow in knowledge and insight,

reflecting your love and light in all we do.

Amen.

Postlude