Sunday, January 4, 2026; Guest Minister Gordon Flint; Music Today: Roxanne St. Pierre

Описание: Mission Statement
To be a compassionate, inclusive, and joyful faith community
PRELUDE
WELCOME
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (kindly read the bold print)
We acknowledge that
we at Trinity United Gravenhurst
live, work, worship, and play
on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Mississauga people,
under the Williams Treaties of 1923
and the Robinson-Huron Treaty 61 of 1850.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again,
we remember everything
this birth means for our 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.

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE (kindly read the bold print)

One: Arise; shine, for your light has come!
Many: We are called out of our darkness into light.
One: Lift up your eyes and look around.
Many: We rejoice in the gift of light.
One: Come let us worship the God of light and joy and peace.
Many: We come to kneel at the cradle of the babe,
the light incarnate.

OPENING HYMN V.U. 36 Angels from the Realms of Glory

CALL TO WORSHIP (kindly read the bold print)

We gather wondering,
'Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?'
We will find the Babe
in the laughter of children,
in the wisdom of grandparents.
We gather asking,
'where will we find the Child of Christmas?'
We will find the Child
where the needy are gifted with hope,
where the oppressed are set free.
We gather wanting to know,
'where will we find the Christ who has come for us?'
We will find our Hope
where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
where all people are overwhelmed by joy.

OPENING PRAYER (Please read in unison)

God of promise and light,
open our eyes this day,
that we may see your light in the darkness.
Open our hearts,
that we may perceive your promises
of justice and righteousness
fulfilled in the babe of Bethlehem.
May we, like the Magi,
have a star to guide us on our journey quest
to find the one who will truly set us free.
May this time of worship bring us closer to you,
that the good news of the birth of light and love
will transform our lives. Amen.

QUIET REFLECTION TIME

Contemplative Music: V.U. 34 Come Now, O God of Love (1 x instrumental, 2 x sung)

We search for your light, Star Caster,
but too often end up settling for
the dimness of temptation.
Our motives for seeking to find Christ
are not always pure,
for we expect him to fulfill our desires,
rather than your hopes for us.
We want the gifts of wealth,
health, success, fulfillment,
rather than those of servanthood,
of compassion, of peace.
Forgive us, Shaper of our lives,
that we are so foolish to put our needs
ahead of your grace.
Help us to be like those wise people of so long ago,
who found hope, instead of a destination;
who found grace, instead of gratitude;
who found salvation, instead of a sign.
As we journey with your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
fill us with the light of your joy and love.

Silence is kept

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (kindly read the bold print)

Up, on your feet!
Grace has been poured into our hearts,
love has flooded our souls,
the light of hope shines in us.
This is the light which has come to all,
the light we will carry
and give to everyone we meet.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Contemplative Music: V.U. 34 Come Now, O God of Love (1 x instrumental, 2 x sung)

SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 60: 1-6

RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 72, parts 1 and 2, V.U. page 790

GOSPEL READING Matthew 2: 1-12

READER Courtney Losey

RESPONSE
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
All: Thanks be to God.

HYMN V.U. 46 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child

MINISTER’S REFLECTION

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION V.U. 79 Arise, Your Light Has Come

OFFERING PRAYER (in Unison)

God of light and promise,
we bring our gifts
to further your work in a dark world.
May they bring your light
to those overwhelmed
by darkness, pain, and loneliness.
Accept and bless these gifts of money and time,
indeed, the gift of our very selves.
Let them shine for all to see,
and be brought into the sphere of your love
and righteousness.
Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Spoken)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLOSING HYMN V.U. 330 Jesus Shall Reign

CLOSING PRAYER

COMMISSIONING (kindly read the bold print)

Now, God sends us out by a different road.
So we may find those
who have been left by the side of the world.
Now, Jesus walks with us down a different road.
So we may serve those
who are lonely and frightened.
Now, the Spirit lights up a different road.
So we may take our sisters and brothers by the hand
to walk in wonder and grace.

BENEDICTION
SUNG BLESSING Go Now In Peace (Back of Voices United)
PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be With You
And also with you.