Sunday, January 5, 2025 Second Sunday of Christmas and Epiphany Sunday

We have now begun a new year, 2025, so happy new year, everyone! This year we are preparing to celebrate the United Church’s 100th anniversary. We are celebrating  deep spirituality, bold discipleship, and daring justice over the past 100 years. 

Hymn        Angels from the Realms of Glory #36VU

Prayer:  Eternal God, the same yesterday, today, and forever:  as we begin this new year, we ask for your help in learning from the mistakes of the past, in facing the problems and challenges of the present, and in renewing our sense of hope for the future, as we go forward in the name of Jesus the Christ our Lord. Amen. ( a prayer printed in Frank Colquhoun’s Contemporary Parish Prayers)

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 60:1-6

                                      Psalm 72 p. 791VU

                                      Matthew 2:1-12

Hymn         As with Gladness #81VU

Message

Prayer:  Holy child of Bethlehem, whose parents found no room in the inn, we pray for all who are homeless.

Holy Child of Bethlehem, born in a stable, we pray for all who live in poverty. 

Holy Child of Bethlehem, rejected stranger, we pray for all who are lost, alone, all who cry for loved ones. 

Holy Child of Bethlehem, whom Herod sought to kill, we pray for all who live with danger, all who are persecuted. 

Holy Child of Bethlehem, a refugee in Egypt, we pray for all who are far from their homes. 

Holy Child of Bethlehem, in you God was pleased to dwell, help us, we pray, to see your divine image in people everywhere. Amen. (a prayer by David Blanchflower, printed in Bread of Tomorrow, Prayers for the Church Year, edited by Jan Morley.) 

Hymn       The First Nowell #91VU

This Sunday there will be services in both Ormstown (9:30) and Howick (11:00). 

We will be collecting reports for this year’s annual reports for our congregations. Please have them in by the end of the month. Howick reports can go to Wilene and Ormstown ones should go to Barbara. 

 Howick’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, January 8th at 7pm in the church hall.