Grace United Church | United Church in Thornbury, ON

Grace United Church is live

January 24, 2026: Third Sunday after Epiphany

Rev Brian Goodings

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Chat

Service and Hymns

Playlist

Loading chat...

January 25^th, 2026

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. Brian Goodings
Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Heather Dickson

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

Scripture for meditation: Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and purpose…(1^st Corinthians 1: 10)

We Gather

PRELUDE: Some Favourite Hymns - Compiled by C. Burton

A Stewardship Second
In order for you to grow closer to God, what do you need to give away?

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 BELIEVE
Who needs a Creator when we have ideas and theories that are far superior to ancient religious superstitions?
Those of us who believe there is much wisdom to be gleaned from those who went before us.
Who needs a Great Physician when we can heal ourselves?
Those of us who believe that our true health and abundant life is dependent on our love for God and neighbours.
Who needs a Divine Guide to help us share with others?
Those of us who believe that throwing away half of the food we grow, while others starve, is immoral.
Who needs a Saviour when we live under a hundred billion dollar defense shield?
Those of us who believe that no one is safe in a world of injustice and inequality.
Who needs an invisible God when we can worship idols?
Those of us who believe that nothing we create can take the place of the One who created us.
Who needs to repent and give our future into God’s keeping?
Those of us who long for Shalom.

PSALM of APPROACH (from Psalm 19)
God’s law is perfect and refreshes the soul. God’s Word is sure and brings wisdom to all.
God’s precepts and teachings give light to the eyes and life to the beholder.
God’s glory shines all around us. God’s creativity is seen in all things under the sun and moon.
Life lived in the presence of God is sweeter than pure honey from the comb.
Who could help but gather and worship in the presence of such good news born among us?
Who could stop themselves from singing songs of praise and praying prayers of delight?

ALL: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O God, our strength and our redeemer!

*HYMN: VU #374 “Come and Find the Quiet Centre”
1. Come and find the quiet center
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.

2. Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we’re shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.

3. In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other’s pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there’s a place for deepest dreaming,
there’s a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit’s lively scheming
there is always room to spare!

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

Theme Conversation: United (or Uniting) Church

We Listen

SCRIPTURE READINGS
In Scripture God calls us by name…

Epistle 1^st Corinthians 1: 10-18 (Divisions in the Church) (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4: 12-23. Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
    light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”Immediately they left their nets and followed him.As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People
Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

RESPONSE: VU #371 “Open My Eyes, That I May See” v.1
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

ANTHEM: “A Time for All Things” - D. E. Wagner

SERMON: “Long Division” Rev. Brian Goodings

*HYMN: VU #218 “We Praise You, O God”
1. We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.

2. We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,
through trial and tempest, companion and guide.
When perils o’ertake us, you will not forsake us,
but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.

3. With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

We Respond

INVITATION to the OFFERING
In our offering today we have a great opportunity. Let us be of one mind and one purpose; that we will each be generous and give as we are able. By doing this, not only will great good be achieved, but we will grow closer to the One who calls us.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
We thank you, loving God, that you have called each of us, together, to follow your way in Jesus. Bless these gifts, and those given through PAR and online, as steps that bring us closer 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 960 sung)

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out

*CLOSING HYMN: VU #331 “The Church’s One Foundation”
1. The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord;
we are his new creation by water and the Word;
from heaven he came and sought us that we might ever be
his living servant people, by his own death set free.

2. Called forth from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth;
one charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name professing and at one table fed,
to one hope always pressing, by Christ’s own Spirit led.

3. Though with a scornful wonder the world sees us oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, ‘How long?’
But soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.

4. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of our war,
we wait the consummation of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious our longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.

5. We now on earth have union with God the Three in One,
and share through faith communion with those whose rest is won.
Oh, happy ones, and holy! Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.

*COMMISSIONING

*BENEDICTION: VU #424 “May the God of Hope Go with Us”
1. May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace,
singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that’s new,
faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

2. May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
to a world restored, to human life renewed.
Praying, let us work for peace,
singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that’s new,
faithful when we hear Christ’s call.