HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Worship Time:  10 am at Trinity, Verona

Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777

Voluntary Associate Minister: Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett

Retired Voluntary Minister: The Rev’d. Ian MacKay

Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters

Director of Music: Stan Stinchcombe

Website: www.h-vpastoralcharge.org

e-mail: office@h-vpastoralcharge.org

 

Dec 17

 

Trinity United Church acknowledges the traditional territory upon which we gather. For thousands of years, the First Peoples sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers and shared their knowledge for survival. We seek a new relationship with the First Peoples of this land, one based in honour and deep respect.

 

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Worship Leader:  Rev Dr Peter Bartlett

Lay Reader: John McDougall

 

WE GATHER

 

ORGAN PRELUDE 

GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

HYMN:  “Morning Has Broken”   (VU #409)

1.  Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird.  Praise for the singing!  Praise for the morning!  Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

 

2.  Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass.  Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in the completeness where God’s feet pass.

 

3.  Ours is the sunlight!  Ours is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play!  Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day!

 

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES

 

CHORAL INTROIT:  “Like a Rock”   (MV #92)

 

LITANY OF APPROACH

One:  Be still and know that God is.

All: Before creation began, God was.

One:  And if all things stopped, God would still be.

All: From everlasting-to-everlasting God was and is present to all who open their hearts and minds to be unified by God’s love. Amen

 

OPENING PRAYER (Unison)

Come Holy Spirit, gather us in the Good News of liberation, freedom, and unity. Proclaim the release of the prisoners of division. Recover the sight of those blinded by hatred, greed, and power. Grant peace and freedom to the poor, oppressed, and lost. Amen

 

FOR ALL AGES

 

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

 

ANTHEM:  “Bathe Me in Your Light”   (MV #82)

 

(Children and teachers may leave for church school classes)

 

 

WE GIVE BACK

 

OUR OFFERINGS (Offering plates are available at the back of the church.)

 

DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING (Standing)

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow   (VU #541)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures high and low; give thanks to God in love made known: Creator, Word and Spirit, One.

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)

Gracious God, as we present our gifts, we humbly ponder the truth they declare; that you can use our help, and, that your purposes are served by our generosity and faith.  Help us O God, to treasure this truth and learn to live it more deeply. Amen.

 

 

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

 

HYMN:  “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”   (VU #315)

1.  Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

 

2.  Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

 

3.  Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, thought the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love, and purity.

 

4.  Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea; holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

 

Words of Invitation

One:  Peace be with you.

All: And also, with you.

One:  Let us open our hearts.

All: We open them to God and to one another.

One: Let us give thanks.

All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

One: This is the table of Jesus Christ…

 

Words of Institution and Intercessory Prayer

 

Prayer of Invocation

 

Sharing

 

Post Communion Prayer (Unison)

For the bread we have eaten, for the wine we have tasted, for the life we have received, we thank you God. Grant that what we have done and have been given here, may so put its mark on us, that it may remain always in our hearts. Grant that we may grow in Christian love and understanding, and that ours may be lives of faithful action, in Christ's name. Amen

 

(Remaining Children and teachers may leave for church school classes)

 

 

WE LISTEN

 

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 4:12-23   (Pg. 837)

 

SERMON:  “Look Out the Window”

 

 

WE GO FORTH

 

HYMN:  “As a Fire is Meant for Burning”   (VU #578)

1.  As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame, so the church is meant for mission, giving glory to God’s name.  Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bride of care, we join hands across the nations, finding neighbours everywhere.

 

2.  We are learners; we are teachers; we are pilgrims on the way.  We are seekers; we are givers; we are vessels made of clay.  By our gentle, loving actions, we would show that Christ is light.  In a humble, listening Spirit, we would live to God’s delight.

 

3.  As a green bud in the springtime is a sign of life renewed, so may we be signs of oneness mid earth’s peoples, many-hues.  As a rainbow lights the heavens when a storm is past and gone, may our lives reflect the radiance of God’s new and glorious dawn.

 

BENEDICTION

 

SENDING FORTH:  “Go Make a Difference” (Refrain x 2)   (MV #209)

Go make a difference.

We can make a difference.

Go make a difference in the world.

Go make a difference.

We can make a difference.

Go make a difference in the world.

 

ORGAN POSTLUDE

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for Sunday February 1st:

Rev. Ian Mackay

Lay Reader for Sunday February 1st:

Jane Mackay

 

COMMUNITY WINTER BREAKFASTS:  Our fourth and final breakfast for the year will take place this Saturday January 31st from 8:30 am to 11:00am.  Thank you to all volunteers who make this wonderful event happen!

 

UCW:  The UCW ladies will be meeting this Wednesday January 28th at 12:30 pm in the church Memorial Room.  All women are welcome to join.

 

MEETINGS:  The next meeting of the Stewards and Session will take place next Tuesday February 3rd.  Stewards will meet at 1:00 pm, and Session will meet at 2:00 pm.

 

ANNUAL MEETING:  Please plan to attend our next Annual General Meeting which will take place on Sunday February 22nd following church service in the hall.

 

THANKS:  Once again, thank you to Rachael and Rebecca for organizing the church fellowship last Sunday.  It was well attended and we didn’t have any food left! 

 

NEXT FELLOWSHIP:  Mark your calendars – the next church fellowship will take place on Sunday February 15th.