Livestream broadcast will be available at 10:45 AM: (Please note that the “Order of Worship” below is an edited shorter version of the Sunday Bulletin)
“REFLECTIONS”
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
JANUARY 4, 2026
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST / PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
OFFICE COORDINATOR: Jodi Hargreaves
SCRIPTURES READER:
PIANO/ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We acknowledge that we at Third Avenue United Church live, work, worship, and play on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 and the homeland of the Metis. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again, we remember everything this birth means for our whole world and all people: hope, peace, joy, and love. May we live our lives moving gently in creation, listening, learning, and striving to be people of reconciliation. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2022-2023; Jessica Knoyle
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRIST CANDLE LIGHTING:
Shining for all to see, Christ has come. Shining in our hearts, Christ still lives in wisdom, power, and love. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permissio
SUNG RESPONSE: Verse 2 of VU 64 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
2. For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Every year, into our shadowed world, a light is born.
Every year, into our complicated lives, hope is born,
Every year, the Christ child comes to the world.
Every year, and this year, we celebrate in hope, in gratitude, and in joy. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Beth W. Johnston
2. OPENING PRAYER: God Incarnate, thank you. Setting aside your glory, you took on flesh and came to live among us. Thank you for thinking of us. Thank you for making yourself known to us. Thank you for doing for us what we are unable to do for ourselves. Save us. Reconcile us to you. Give us a new spirit and a new heart. You came so that we might have life, life to its fullest. Thank you. In the name of Jesus, thank you. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Sue Webb
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN: VU 45 “Joy is now in Every Place”
1. Joy is now in every place,
hristmas lightens every face;
now be with us, in your grace, Refrain: O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.
2. May the star that shone that night,
making your poor stable bright,
fill our hearts with love and light, Refrain
3. Through the New Year let it stay,
leading us upon your way,
making Christmas every day, Refrain
4. Now and ever may we find
your good news to fill our mind:
peace and love to humankind, Refrain
5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Treasured words for us to ponder, caring words from one well-loved,
good words for us to take to heart, honest words from a trusted friend,
challenging words that call us to action, words that challenge us to seek justice for all,
inspired words that touch our deepest being: the Bible-God's word through prophets, disciples, and Jesus.
We thank you, Loving God, that you give us patience in listening, joy as we share, and helpful words that you call us to receive. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025-2026: David Sparks
6. PRAYER OF CONFESSION: We feel lost and alone, Holy Parent. We forget that in becoming flesh, you demonstrated the way into a relationship with you. Forgive us for the times that we live in fear, the times when fear governs our actions and colours our words. Forgive us the times that we hate another person. We know that to truly live in you, our hearts can know no hatred. But we are human, Gracious God, as you well know. Lead us into a life of love and help us to let go of the insecurities and judgments that breed hatred. Allow us to be made perfect in your love. For you are love, and to live in love is to live in you. Amen.
Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026; Elaine Bidgood Sveet
7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
God sent Jesus, the Word-Made-Flesh, to model life for us-to model love for us. God loves us enough to have sent a willing sacrifice for our sins in order to make us whole. We love because God first loved us, and it is beautiful. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026; Elaine Bidgood Sveet
8. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
In the name of Prince of Peace - Jesus, born in a manger - let us greet one another with signs of peace. The peace of Christ be with you. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
9. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Just as visitors from the East brought gifts to the Christ child, we too are invited to bring gifts to Christ's church in service of God's work in the world. Any gift of love is a gift of gold. As we present our morning offering. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
10. OFFERTORY
(sung to the tune of “Good King Wenceslas”)
Here our gifts we offer, God, thankful for your blessings.
Take them, Spirit, use them to spread the Christas message
that Christ comes to bring to us life for all creation.
May our gifts help bring to all love and transformation. Used with permission from Gathering: Sandra Jenkinson, 2015
11. OFFERING PRAYER: Generous, God, thank you for the gift of Christ Jesus in our lives and in our world. Thank you for the gifts we return to you now. Bless these gifts, that they may support Christ's loving presence in our ministry, in our community, and in our world. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026; Gord Dunbar
Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.
E-transfers can be sent to: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net answer to security question is: “payment”
12. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 those who 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.
13. HYMN 48 VU “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
1. Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!'
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!' Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King!'
2. Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail, the incarnate deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain
3. Hail, the heavenborn Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. Refrain
14. BLESSING:
An eagle flies the highest, and so it is sometimes said to carry prayers up to heaven. Smoke rises, and so it is said to carry prayers up to God. But Jesus descends, comes to us, meets us where we are, and reassures us that we do not have to go up to heaven to know God. God is with us now.
And so, go reassured that God knows you. Your prayers are received into God's heart, however you offer them, whisper them, shout them, write them, sing them, or send them. In love, you are held by God, always. Trusting this good news, go now to carry the light and love of Christ into the world. Amen Adapted/Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026;Whitney Bruno
15. THREE FOLD AMEN
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Jeremiah 31: 7 - 14
Responsive Reading: Psalm 147 Part 2 VU page 868/869 REFRAIN: Sing to God in great thanksgiving”
Ephesians 1: 3 - 14
The believers' blessings
The Gospel of John 1: 1 - 18 Story of the Word
WISHING YOU A HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2026
Next Sunday: First Sunday after the Epiphany /
The Baptism of Our Lord January 11, 2026: Isaiah 42: 1 - 9;
Psalm 29; Acts 10: 34 - 43; Matthew 3: 13 - 17.
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