Traditional Services

WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH

TRADITIONAL SERVICES

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

18 January 2026 | SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 

Liturgical Colour: Green

Lectionary (Year A): Isaiah 49:1–7, Psalm 40:1–11,
1 Corinthians 1:1–9, John 1:29–42 

Songs:
Baptized in Water (#790)
Jesus, the Light of the World (#100)
My Only Comfort (#781)
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
Shalom to You (UMH 666)
Glory Be to the Father (UMH 70)

Sermon: Called and Sustained by God’s Faithful Grace (1 Corinthians:1–9) 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 

As we move deeper into the season after Epiphany, we continue to explore the glory God reveals among us. While we often emphasize Jesus as the revelation of God’s glory, this week’s Old Testament reading from Isaiah 49 invites us to consider how God reveals glory through us, God’s servants. 

We are also now firmly in that small corridor of Ordinary Time that bridges between Christmas and Lent. The beauty of Ordinary Time is that it opens space for us to focus on how to live the substance of our faith in the day-to-day moments and happenings of our lives. 

Consider the various communities we are in. How have these communities and our daily living revealed God’s glory in the past year—in our small group life, in our school or workplace, in our family, through the ministries we are serving in, the outreach experiences, the mission trips, our day-to-day interaction with those whom God has brought across our paths? 

Consider also our relationship with and care for creation. God’s glory shines through the way we care for the earth that he has given us to steward. The green paraments of Ordinary Time hanging in our sanctuary reminds us of this responsibility that we have. 

Today, we create space and time for Prayers of the People that emphasize the places and people throughout the world in need of peace, love, and care. If we are called to be a light to the nations, we must be willing to name the places where evil and suffering live in the shadows. 

Importantly, though, it is not our job to tell God about all the terrible things happening in the world. It is our job to tell one another the truth of what is happening around us and how God is at work and calls us to be at work in response to the troubles throughout the world. 

When we are weary, worried, and worn from all that is wrong in the world, we must remind one another that God, who gives us as a light, is the source of our light. This is how we become a part of the light that we proclaim. 

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

“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6b 

God is faithful.
He will keep you firm to the end,
so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
based on 1 Corinthians 1:8–9 

ORGAN PRELUDE 

GREETING

CALL TO CONFESSION 

L: We live our lives imperfectly, for we are flawed.
But we are also loved by the God in whose image we were created.
Let us remake ourselves toward that image as we make our confession before God
and each other. Let us confess our sins before God. 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

All: Gracious and loving God, hear our prayer. 

We know we do not always live as we ought: 

• We turn away from you,
      from our neighbor, and from our true selves. 

• We know we dim your light within us,
      with our pride, our self-righteousness,
      and our need for control. 

We know that you love us, that you do not abandon us,
and that again and again you call us back to you,
     back to love,
     back to grace,
     back to your light. 

Forgive us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Baptized in Water#790
Words: Michael Saward, 1981 © 1982 The Jubilate Group, admin. Hope Publishing Company
Music (BUNESSAN, “Morning Has Broken”): Scottish folk melody

1. Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
cleansed by the blood of Christ, our King;
heirs of salvation, trusting his promise,
faithfully now God’s praise we sing. 

2. Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
dead in the tomb with Christ,
our King; one with his rising, freed and forgiven,
thankfully now God’s praise we sing. 

3. Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
marked with the sign of Christ, our King;
born of one Father, we are his children,
joyfully now God’s praise we sing. 

CALL TO WORSHIP *

Children of God, who has God called you to be?
A light to all the nations!

When confusion, disunity, and misinformation threaten to undo us,
who are you called to be?
A light to all the nations!

When wars and rumors of wars in our communities
and around the world overwhelm us,
who are you called to be?
A light to all the nations!

When the vulnerable are left without care or hope for flourishing,
who are you called to be?
A light to all the nations!

Come! Let us worship God,
who gives us as a light of good news to all the nations!
We come to worship God,
who calls us and equips us to reflect
God’s glory and abundant life into all the world.
Amen!

OPENING HYMN *
Jesus, the Light of the World
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.

1. Hark the herald angels sing. 
   Jesus, the Light of the world.
   Glory to the newborn King.
   Jesus, the Light of the world. 

2. Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace.
   Jesus, the Light of the world.
   Hail, the Sun of righteousness!
   Jesus, the Light of the world. (Refrain)

Refrain
We’ll walk in the Light, beautiful Light.
Come where the dew-drops of mercy shine bright.
Oh, shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the Light of the world. 

4. Born as children of your light,
   Jesus, the Light of the world.
   May we rise to glory bright.
   Jesus, the Light of the world. Refrain (2x)

Tag: Jesus, the Light of the world. (2x) 

GOSPEL READING *John 1:29–42

CONFESSING OUR FAITH
My Only Comfort#781
Words: Zacharius Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus, 1563; Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1;
             vers. Marlene Veenstra, 2003, alt. © 2004 Faith Alive Christian Resources
Music (RESIGNATION): W. Walker’s Southern Harmony, 1835;
            harm. Dale Grotenhuis (1931 – 2012) © 1990 Dale Grotenhuis 

1. My only comfort, now, always, in both my life and death,
   is knowing I am not my own; I belong to Jesus Christ.
   My body and soul belong to him in life, in death, always.
   He is my faithful Savior, Friend; Jesus Christ, my Lord and King.
   
   

2. He fully paid for all my sins with his own precious blood
   and through his death has set me free from Satan’s tyranny.
   Without my heavenly Father’s will, not a single hair can fall.
   In fact, all things must work for good, for my salvation. 

3. Since I belong to him alone, Christ, through the Spirit gives
   assurance of eternal life, and so I live for him.
   My only comfort, now, always, in both my life and death,
   is knowing I am not my own; I belong to Jesus Christ. 
   
   

SILENT PRAYER

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONSt. 1
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
Words and Music: Stuart Townend and Keith Getty 
© 2006 Thankyou Music Ltd.  

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, 
breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
to renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause your Word to come alive in me.
Give me faith for what I cannot see. 
Give me passion for your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
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 Lord’s Prayer (ASAS) 

SHARING

Family News

Welcome

Exchange of Peace
Shalom to You UMH 666

GIVING

Offertory Prayer

Tithes and Gifts to God

Doxology * 
Glory Be to the FatherUMH 70
Tune: MEINEKE

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 World#100
[Lyrics]

BENEDICTION *

POSTLUDEOrgan

As we leave this place,
may we bring light to those in darkness,
comfort to those who grieve,
hope to those who despair.

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.