January 4, 2026
PRELUDE
Call to Worship From Ps. 50:1-5; 81:1-3
Pastor: The Mighty One, God the
Lord, speaks and summons
the earth from the rising of
the sun to its setting.
People: Out of Zion, the
perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
Pastor: He calls to the heavens
above and to the earth,
People: “Gather to me my faithful
ones, who made a
covenant with me by
sacrifice!”
Pastor: Sing aloud to God our
strength; shout for joy to
the God of Jacob!
All: Raise a song; sound the
tambourine, the sweet lyre
with the harp. Blow the
trumpet at the new moon
on our feast day! ◆
PRAYER of INVOCATION
from Hebrews 1:1-2
SONG of ADORATION “All of Our Tomorrows” #93
Confession and Assurance
READING of GOD’S LAW
Hear God’s Law, His Will for Your Life, from Hebrews 12:1-4 . . .
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PRAYER of CONFESSION BoCP
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. ◆
ASSURANCE of PARDON from Eph 1:7-10
Hear these words of comfort from God’s Holy Word:
In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Friends in Christ, be assured by the promise of the Most High God, having confessed your sins and trespasses and having thrown yourself at the bountiful mercy of Christ, you stand forgiven in the sight of God. Amen. ◆
SONG of RESPONSE “Create In Me”
Create in me a clean, clean heart
Create in me a work of art
Create in me a miracle
Something real and something beautiful
You're not finished with me yet
You're not finished with me yet
By Your power I can change, I can change
Cause You're not finished with me yet
Oh oh ohhh! Oh oh oohhh! Oh oh oohhh! Oh—Hey!
Oh oh ohhh! Oh oh oohhh! Whoooah!
©2014 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI Song No. 7014652 CCLI #3071858
Life of Worship
PROFESSION of FAITH The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all that exists—seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten, not made, of One Being with the Father. Through Him, all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suf-fered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and from the Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy, universal, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism unto the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.◆
OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER of DEDICATION
CHILDREN’S TIME
PASSING of the PEACE
(Children remain in the service today.)
Ministry of the Word
SONG “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven” #29
PRAYER for ILLUMINATION
God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us. Amid all the changing words of our generation, speak your eternal Word that does not change. Then may we respond to your gracious promises with faithful and obedient lives; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ◆
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 12:35-40 p. 1036
SERMON “Ready for Action” Pastor Zach
Ministry of Sacrament
COMMUNION HYMN “Behold the Lamb” #315
INVITATION to the LORD’S SUPPER
WORDS of INSTITUTION
The BREAD and the CUP
(All who look to Christ and His cross alone for
salvation are invited to join us at the Lord’s Table)
FELLOWSHIP FUND OFFERING
SONG of RESPONSE “Blest Be the Tie” #426
BENEDICTION
