Traditional Services

WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH

TRADITIONAL SERVICES

Wesley Sanctuary 7.30am | 9.30am (Live-streamed) | 11.30am | 5.00pm

4 January 2026 | EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Liturgical Colour: White

Lectionary (Year A): Jeremiah 31:7–14, Psalm 147:12–20,
Ephesians 1:3–14, John 1:1–18 

Songs: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (UMH 66)
Father, I Thank You
Speak, O Lord
Grace Greater than Our Sin (UMH 365)
My Tribute (UMH 99)
Jesus, the Light of the World (#100) 

Sermon: Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14)

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 

We begin the new year with the revelation of the Christ child. 

Epiphany is all about light. The star in the sky leads the magi to Jesus, the light of the world, the revelation of divine love who came to dwell among us. 

Let us take a moment to consider the role darkness plays in helping us notice the light—the darkness that helps regulate our sleep-wake rhythms, the darkness that draws us into a state of calm and peace. The magi noticed the star’s light in the dark of the night. Darkness is needed to be able to follow the light. 

Like the magi, we have wandered over the last year, sometimes across rough terrain and other times over smooth roads, to seek the promise that God is doing a new thing among us. When we renew our covenant together, we commit once again to continue on the path of the Christ child throughout the coming year. We choose to see, hear, touch, smell, and even taste the world around us as bearers and seekers of divine love.

Adapted from umcdiscipleship.org
 

I.  GATHERING

We gather in the Lord’s name weekly to be renewed in our hearts and minds. Our worship of God is a response to his revelation as he reveals his truth to us through Scripture, sermon, prayers and songs 

PREPARATION PRAYER

God, you are the host who welcomes us into your presence.
In your presence we humbly bow.
Search us, and purify us Lord with your holy Word.
Mold us and shape us after your will,
while we are waiting, yielded and still.
Speak, O Lord, as we prepare our hearts to worship you today.
Have thine own way, Lord. Have thine own way.
Amen. 

MEDITATION VERSES

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms
with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 

God chose us in Jesus Christ before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4 

The LORD sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
Psalm 147:15–16 

The LORD sends his word and melts them, . . .
He has revealed his word to Jacob,
his laws and decrees to Israel.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 147:18a, 19, 20b 

PRELUDE 

GREETING

CALL TO CONFESSION based on John 1

L: In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made;
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

The Light was in the world, and though the world was made through him,
the world did not recognize him nor receive him. 

Let us confess our sins to God. 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION based on Ephesians 1 and 2

All: Holy and Merciful God,
Because of our sin, you gave your one and only Son to us,
so that we might become your children, children of God—
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, but born of God. 

Yet, many a times, we forget our new identity as children of the Light.
Our words and deeds reflect that of darkness rather than light,
stumbling those who have yet known you,
and hurting those who have already known you,
our fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ,
whom your Son has died for. 

You have chosen us in Christ to be holy and blameless in your sight.
Forgive us when we chose to gratify the cravings of our flesh.
You have made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.
It is by grace we have been saved, through your gift of faith,
not by works, so that no one can boast. 

We are your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
Turn our wavering and rebellious hearts to you once again today,
Holy and Merciful God. 

Forgive us our sins and renew a steadfast spirit in us as one body today.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,
the head of your church,
Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

L: To all who turn from sin in sorrow,
this is God’s Word of grace:
We are accepted, we are forgiven, we are loved.
This is the gift we have from God.
All: Thanks be to God! 

CALL TO WORSHIP *by Dr. Lisa Hancock, 2025

We gather as people looking for the star,
a sign that God is at work in the world.
God, help us find your glory. 

We gather as people listening for the whispers of the Spirit,
hints of the good news in the least likely places.
God, help us notice your glory.

We gather as people yearning for Love’s presence,
the assurance that we are not alone and Love will have the last word.
God, help us encounter your glory. 

On this Epiphany Sunday, may the Light of Love shine among us,
revealing divine glory through neighbors known and unknown,
vulnerable children, and unexpected gifts.
All: God, reveal to us anew the glory of your expansive Love
that gathers us together and sustains us in loving service
to one another and all creation.
Amen. 

OPENING HYMN *
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven UMH 66 

GOSPEL READING *
The Word Became FleshJohn 1:1–18

PRAYER HYMN
Father, I Thank You
Words and Music: Steve Stewart
© 1980 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing 

1. Father, I thank you for all that you've done.
   You gave your Son freely for me.
   And I praise you for calling me, drawing me near.
   Out of blindness, you caused me to see. 
   
   
2. Spirit of life, you are God's holy fire.
   You've kindled my heart with your blaze.
   And I know you're refining me, changing my life.
   And by faith you're revealing your ways. 
   
   
3. Jesus, I need you as Lord of my life.
   I give all I have unto you.
   Lord, I want to come under your heavenly hand,
   and to praise you in all that I do. 
   
   

SILENT PRAYER

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONSt. 1a
Speak, O Lord
Words and Music: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
© 2005 Thankyou Music Ltd. 

Speak, O Lord, as we come to you,
to receive the food of your holy Word.
Take your truth, plant it deep in us,
shape and fashion us in your likeness.
Amen. 

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

II.   SERMON

III.   WE RESPOND IN PRAYER, SHARING AND GIVING

We respond to God’s Word through (a) praying for the church and the world, (b) sharing of God’s peace with one another (2 Cor 13:11, Gal 5:13) after having received the peace of Christ, and after made peace with one another, (c) offer to God our tithes and gifts (Matt 5:24), as a response to Christ’s sacrificial offering (Eph 5:2, 1 Pet 2:5). 

PRAYER

Prayers of the People 

THE APOSTLES’ CREED, ECUMENICAL VERSIONUMH 882

RITUAL FOR HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation
Confession and Pardon
Exchange of Peace
The Great Thanksgiving (spoken responses)
The Lord’s Prayer (ASAS)
Giving the Bread and Cup
    Grace Greater than Our Sin UMH 365 

SHARING

Welcome
Family News

GIVING

Offertory Prayer

Tithes and Gifts to God

Doxology * 
My TributeUMH 99

IV.   SENDING FORTH

Having encountered God through worship, we are to (a) serve one another through acts of service, (b) participate in the programs of the church to continue growing in our Christian discipleship, and (c) to go forth into the world as Christ’s hands and feet in the ministry of reconciliation. 

CLOSING HYMN * 
Jesus, the Light of the WorldSt. 1–3
Words: St. 1 and 2 by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), P.D.,
St. 3 and 4 by Alan J. Hommerding
© 2015 World Library Publications, Inc. Refrain by George D. Elderkin
Music: George D. Elderkin © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc.

BENEDICTION *

POSTLUDE
Jesus, the Light of the WorldOrgan

Prayer Ministry at the Altar
If you need someone to pray with you, please proceed to the inner rails of the altar area. If you wish to pray alone, please use the outer rails.

* Congregation may stand.