January 11^th, 2026

Baptism of Christ Sunday

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
     Minister: Rev. Dr. Brian Goodings
     Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
     Guest Musician: Camryn Ruthven
     Lay Reader: Mary Lou Gignac

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

Scripture for meditation Matthew 3: 16…
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

We Gather 

PRELUDE:  Improvisation on Piano

A Stewardship Second
No matter what our background, our culture, our race, our identity, when we do what is right, we are all acceptable to God. May our gratitude overflow into generosity!

WELCOME

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
With grateful hearts we light this Christ candle,
so that, with our hearts full of love and light
we might enter into the spirit of worship with joy.
May it be so!

SONG: VU #82 “A Light is Gleaming” (Chorus only)
A light is gleaming, spreading its arms
throughout the night, living in the light.
Come share its gladness, God’s radiant love
is burning bright, living in the light.

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect.  At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community.  We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. We acknowledge that they are the first stewards of this land and we respect their histories and past and present cultures. We will work to recognize and remove barriers to reconciliation.

CALL to WORSHIP (Thom Shuman)
Like the soft whisper of a little child singing
to herself before anyone else in the house is awake,
ever so gently, God's voice cradles us
with songs of wonder and awe.
With the persistence of teenagers and young adults,
heady with the newfound freedom of questioning everything,
God's grace and good humour flows like an inviting river through our lives, sweeping us up with new delight.
Like the grandpa who passes on the secret to his bread-baking;
like the nana who teaches her grandkids how to drive,
God's Word is always reminding us that we are precious, esteemed and beloved.

PRAYER of APPROACH
In the beginning…
God created light out of darkness.
In the beginning…
God created life out of nothing.
In the beginning…
God created church out of empire.
In the beginning…
God created neighbours out of strangers.
In the beginning…
God created us.
In our beginnings and in our endings, let us worship our Creating God.

*HYMN: MV #3 “River”
1. River, rush-a-down to the ocean blue,
River from a mountain high.
River, as you do what rivers do,
River, draw the Spirit nigh.

2. Spirit, come-a-down to the river-side,
Spirit, spark of wondrous thought.
Spirit, I am free for you to guide,
Spirit, pray that I be taught!

3. Water, let me drink of your healing pow’r,
Water, strength and life you give.
Water, as I travel with each hour,
Water, help my body live.

4. River, flow-a-down where you ran before,
River, source of clearer view.
River, as I walk your rocky shore,
River, see my journey through.

See my journey through. (2X)

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

Theme Conversation:  Baptism

We Listen 

SCRIPTURE READINGS  
In Scripture God calls us by name…

Psalm 29 VU # 756
Ascribe to God, you powers of the heaven,
ascribe to God all glory and strength!
Ascribe due honour to God’s holy name,
and worship in the beauty of holiness.
Refrain:
Glory, glory, glory to our God.

God’s voice is over the waters -
God’s glory thundering across the great waters.
God’s voice is power,
God’s voice is full of majesty.
God’s voice shatters the cedars,
splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
God’s voice makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Mount Hermon stampede like a wild young bull.
God’s voice forks into tongues of fire,
God’s voice shakes the wilderness,
sets trembling the wilderness of Kadesh.
God’s voice causes the oaks to whirl,
stripping the forest bare;
and in the temple all cry: Glory!
Refrain:
Glory, glory, glory to our God.

God sits enthroned above the waters,
God is enthroned as sovereign forever.
You give strength to your people, O God.
Now give to your people
the blessing of peace.
Refrain:
Glory, glory, glory to our God.

Older Testament: Isaiah 42: 1-9
(Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.
 He will not cry out or lift up his voice
    or make it heard in the street;
 a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.
 He will not grow faint or be crushed
    until he has established justice in the earth,
    and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
 I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
    I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
    a light to the nations,
     to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.
 I am the Lord; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to idols.
 See, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
    I tell you of them.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3: 13-17   (RSVUE)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

RESPONSE: VU #266 “Amazing Grace” v. 1            
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
‘that saved and strengthened me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

SERMON:  “All In”    Rev. Brian Goodings 

*HYMN: VU #100 “When Jesus Came to be Baptized”
1. When Jesus comes to be baptized,
he leaves the hidden years behind,
the years of safety and of peace,
to bear the sins of humankind.

2. The Spirit of the Lord comes down,
anoints the Christ to suffering,
to preach the word, to free the bound,
and to the mourner, comfort bring.

3. He will not quench the dying flame,
and what is bruised he will not break,
but heal the wound injustice dealt,
and out of death his triumph make.

4. O Spirit help us be like Christ:
to live in love and charity,
to walk in truth and justice now,
and grow in Christian dignity.

5. We praise you, God, source of all life,
we praise you, Christ, eternal Word,
we praise you, Spirit, gracious gift;
your triune presence fills our world.

We Respond 

INVITATION to the OFFERING
Friends, your generosity to this church and to Mission and Service assists friends and strangers; those who believe as we do and those who believe differently; neighbours across town and partners across the globe. Your generosity is such a gift.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
Gracious and loving God, bless now these gifts and those offered through PAR or online, that they might be shared without partiality, among the good and the bad, the rich and the poor, the just and the unjust, the faithful and the unfaithful. Remind us that in giving freely as you do, O God, we embody your own self-giving nature. Thanks be to you. Amen.

Dedication: MV #191 “What Can I” Do (2x)
What can I do?  What can I bring?
What can I say?  What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy.  I’ll say a prayer,
I’ll bring my love.  I’ll do my share.

Donate online:   www.graceunitedthornbury.ca,  select “Donate”
     or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
     or  phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
     Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
     or  Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church Thornbury through CanadaHelps.org.   Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register.  Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving.                                   Care, Prayer, Share

PASTORAL PRAYER & The LORD’S PRAYER: (VU 910)   

What’s up at Grace?

We Begin our Service

Closing Hymn VU #101 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”
1. Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus Christ, to you we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David’s stem
in your birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to you addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.

2. Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
and at Cana wedding guest,
in your Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to you addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.

3. Manifest in making whole
palsied limbs and fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil’s might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill;
anthems be to you addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.

4. Grant us grace to see you, Lord,
mirrored in your holy Word;
with your grace our lives endow,
grace to imitate you now,
that we like to you may be
at your great epiphany,
anthems be to you addressed
God in flesh made manifest.

*COMMISSIONING
Our service now continues as we go forth into the world which God loves.
Let us do so remembering that life is short, and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us.
So be swift to love and make haste to be kind and just.
Now may the blessing of God: Creator, Christ, and ever-present Spirit be with us all this day and forevermore. Amen.

*BENEDICTION:  “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day,
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, *within, around, above.
Go now in peace, in faith and in love.
Amen, amen, amen.

*alternate words: watching from above

POSTLUDE
“Untitled Hymn: Come to Jesus” - (Chris Rice, 2003)

 *****

SOURCES: The following are used with permission:

Stewardship Second & Invitation to the Offering & Prayer of Dedication of our Offerings from: © 2024 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
Call to Worship: written by Thom  Shuman.
Prayers written by Rev. Dr. Brian Goodings.

HYMNS and SUNG VERSES