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. SCRIPTURE LESSON
Jeremiah 31: 7 - 14
7 The Lord proclaims: Sing joyfully for the people of Jacob; shout for the leading nation. Raise your voices with praise and call out: “The Lord has saved his people, the remaining few in Israel!” 8 I'm going to bring them back from the north; I will gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the disabled, expectant mothers and those in labor; a great throng will return here. 9 With tears of joy they will come; while they pray, I will bring them back. I will lead them by quiet streams and on smooth paths so they don't stumble. I will be Israel's father, Ephraim will be my oldest child. 10 Listen to the Lord's word, you nations, and announce it to the distant islands: The one who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them safe, as a shepherd his flock. The Lord will rescue the people of Jacob and deliver them from the power of those stronger than they are. They will come shouting for joy on the hills of Zion, jubilant over the Lord's gifts: grain, wine, oil, flocks, and herds. Their lives will be like a lush garden; they will grieve no more. Then the young women will dance for joy; the young and old men will join in. I will turn their mourning into laughter and their sadness into joy; I will comfort them. 14 I will lavish the priests with abundance and shower my people with my gifts, declares the Lord.

Responsive Reading Psalm 147 Part 2 VU page 868/869
REFRAIN: Sing to God in great thanksgiving”
Part Two (12 - 20)

Hallelujah, O Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God.
For God has strengthened the bars of your gates, and blessed your children within you.
God has established peace within your borders, and filled you with the finest wheat.   REFRAIN

You send your word to the earth, O God; your command runs swiftly.
You give snow like wool, and sprinkle hoar-frost like ashes.
You scatter hailstones like bread-crumbs; you send the cold, and the waters stand frozen.
You utter your word and the ice melts; you blow with your wind and the waters flow.
You make known your word to Jacob, your statutes and decrees to Israel.
You have not done this for any other nation,
nor have you taught them your laws.   REFRAIN

7.  REFLECTION

8.  HYMN: VU 72 “From heaven Above to Earth I Come”
1.  From heaven above to earth I come
to bring good news to everyone!
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to all the world, and gladly sing:

2.  To you this night is born a child
of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
this newborn child of lowly birth
shall be the joy of all the earth.

3.  These are the signs which you will see
to let you know that it is he:
in manger bed, in swaddling clothes
the child who all the earth upholds.

4.  Our hearts for very joy now leap,
our voices cannot silence keep;
we too must join the angel throng
to sing with joy his cradle song.

5.  'Glory to God in highest heaven,
who unto us a Son has given.'
With angels sing in pious mirth:
a glad new year to all the earth!

9. SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Ephesians 1: 3 - 14
The believers' blessings
3 Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven. 4 God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God's presence before the creation of the world. 5 God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan 6 and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves. 7 We have been ransomed through his Son's blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, 8 which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding. 9 God revealed his hidden design[a] to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. 10 This is what God planned for the climax of all times:[b] to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth. 11 We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. 12 We are called to be an honor to God's glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. 13 You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God's own people, resulting in the honor of God's glory.

The Gospel of John 1: 1 - 18
Story of the Word
1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn't extinguish the light. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. 8 He himself wasn't the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. 9 The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. 10 The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn't recognize the light. 11 The light came to his own people, and his own people didn't welcome him. 12 But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God's children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.15 John testified about him, crying out, "This is the one of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.'" 16 From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace; as the Law was given through Moses, so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made God known.

10.  REFLECTION

11.  HYMN: VU 81 “As with Gladness Men of Old”
1.  As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright,
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore your splendour see.

2.  As with joyful steps they sped,
to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before Christ, whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with eager pace
ever seek your throne of grace.

3.  As they offered gifts most rare
at that manger crude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, our heavenly King.

4.  Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
here they need no star to guide,
where no clouds your glory hide.

5.  In the heavenly country bright
none shall need created light;
you its light, its joy, its crown,
you its sun which goes not down;
there for ever may we sing
hallelujah to our King.

12.  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

13.  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

14.  SUNG RESPONSE: VU 43 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

1.  While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.  Refrain

2.  The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour's birth!   Refrain

3.  Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent our salvation that blessed Christmas morn.  Refrain

15.  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

16.  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.

17. 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

18.  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.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

19. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:

20. 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

21.  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

22. THREE FOLD AMEN

1. Use the drop and go feature at Sarcan specifying that they are for Third Ave. United church.
2. Drop off the bags containing your bottles, cans and cartons at the church.

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.

1. SUNDAY, January 4, 2026  Second Sunday After Christmas   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


2. TUESDAY, January 6, 2026  Jubilation Handbell Ringers  If you are interested in ringing some bells, come out and give it a try;   6:30pm in the Choir Room.


3. TUESDAY, January 6, 2026  “YOUTH ACTIVITY CLUB (YAC)”  7:00 - 9:00 PM.  Logie hall GYM  All Youth 12 years and older are welcome


4. SUNDAY, January 11, 2026  First Sunday after the Epiphany / The Baptism of Our Lord   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


5. TUESDAY, January 13, 2026  BIBLE STUDY  10:00 AM  Board Room


6. TUESDAY, January 13, 2026  Jubilation Handbell Ringers  If you are interested in ringing some bells, come out and give it a try;   6:30pm in the Choir Room.


7. TUESDAY, January 13, 2026  “YOUTH ACTIVITY CLUB (YAC)”  7:00 - 9:00 PM.  Logie hall GYM  All Youth 12 years and older are welcome


8. WEDNESDAY, January 14, 2026  “MEETING OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD”   7:00 PM   Acting Chairperson, Lorenzo Bacchetto  ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND