Wyevale United Church
Rev. Bonnie Kelly
January 11, 2026
Greeting/ Acknowledgement of Territory
"As we begin this New Year, we acknowledge that we gather on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Anishinaabeg. We recognize their deep, enduring connection to this land and their role as its original caretakers. As we look to a new year, we commit to honoring this relationship, learning from Indigenous wisdom, and working together for a more just, respectful, and reconciled future for all who call this land home.
Lighting of the Christ Candle: The season of Epiphany begins with the magi from a distant land following the light of a star to the child Jesus. They were the first sign that Jesus was a gift for everyone.
May we continue to seek Christ’s enlightening spirit in the company of all people.
We gather in the light of Christ.
Call to Worship: When the ways of the world wear us down with constant demands or unrealistic expectations, we are invited to find refuge in God’s grace.
Together in worship, this is where we find our home.
When the morning sun is reflected off the snow and the skies open like a blue gift of joy, we are invited to notice God’s creating presence.
Together, in worship, we are being made new.
Come, find refuge, find hope. Pay attention! The Spirit calls you beloved.
Together, in worship, let our souls sing praise.
Opening Prayer: Come to the edge of the sea, the barrier between you and a new life, and pray for a path to freedom.
Turn barriers into highways, Holy One!
Come to the edge of a river, the obstacle between you and security in a new way of living.
Turn obstacles into footpaths, Rock of Ages!
Come to this time of worship and its challenge of meaning and belonging.
Turn us into a people of the journey, taking the path, the highway to daring love.
Hymn: VU 644 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
Prayer of Confession: Creator Spirit, Ancient of Days, open us to your presence. Name the night and the day within each of us and reassure us that they are both blessed. Take us through the waters before us to places of hope and safety. Let us come with you on the way to a different world, one of generosity, grace, and goodness. Open us in this time of prayer, song, and praise to your word of life. Notice when we open ourselves to you.
We are not perfect, and some days we struggle to be good or kind. We lose the commitment to your purposes. We go our own way.
Forgive us, even when we are slow to forgive others. Remind us of our baptism and lead us back to the banquet of love.
We pray in the name of the Beloved Child. Amen.
Words of Assurance: No matter where we are or what we have done or how we feel, God is there with us and for us, giving us reason to face another day with faith and with hope. Thanks be to God.
Children’s Time: Katie Dunsford
Children’s Hymn: How Great is Our God
Prayer of Illumination: Now is the time for us to attend to you, O Holy One. We ask that you open our hearts and spirits to receive your word today. As water flows from one place to another, let our outside thoughts flow away from us. Help us remember, perhaps not the words, but the intention behind our own baptisms, and baptisms we have witnessed, as we revisit Jesus’ baptism today. Amen.
Scriptures: Sandy Rawn
Isaiah 42: 1-9
Psalm 29 (VU page 756)
Acts 10: 34-43
Matthew 3: 13-17
Sermon- Rev. Bonnie Kelly—“Instant Recognition”
Hymn : VU 678 For The Healing of the Nations
Pastoral Prayer
Offering: Hymn: Praise god from whom all blessings flow, praise God, all creatures high and low, give thanks to God in love made know. Creator, Word and Spirit One.
Offertory Prayer: Mysterious, Calling God, you reach out to us and call us to use the gifts we have been given, as your beloved children, for the good of others and as blessing in this world. We are called to love others: with acts of kindness, with time spent together, with acts of generosity, with listening and welcoming spirits. We are called to love others, not considering whether we like them or not. We are called to do this because you are love, O God. Help us to be one of your expressions of love in the world. Amen.
Community sharing
Community Hymn:
Commissioning: Go from here to live out your baptismal faith, and let the waters of creation buoy you up and give you strength. Go from here nourished at this table of love, and let the Holy One of Bethlehem be your guide and light. May the Creator of All fill you with hope. May Jesus the Christ meet you at the table and fill you with hunger for change. May the Spirit of Liberation lead you into the path of grace. Go in peace.
Benediction
Three fold Amen
Rev. Bonnie Kelly
January 11, 2026
Greeting/ Acknowledgement of Territory
"As we begin this New Year, we acknowledge that we gather on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Anishinaabeg. We recognize their deep, enduring connection to this land and their role as its original caretakers. As we look to a new year, we commit to honoring this relationship, learning from Indigenous wisdom, and working together for a more just, respectful, and reconciled future for all who call this land home.
Lighting of the Christ Candle: The season of Epiphany begins with the magi from a distant land following the light of a star to the child Jesus. They were the first sign that Jesus was a gift for everyone.
May we continue to seek Christ’s enlightening spirit in the company of all people.
We gather in the light of Christ.
Call to Worship: When the ways of the world wear us down with constant demands or unrealistic expectations, we are invited to find refuge in God’s grace.
Together in worship, this is where we find our home.
When the morning sun is reflected off the snow and the skies open like a blue gift of joy, we are invited to notice God’s creating presence.
Together, in worship, we are being made new.
Come, find refuge, find hope. Pay attention! The Spirit calls you beloved.
Together, in worship, let our souls sing praise.
Opening Prayer: Come to the edge of the sea, the barrier between you and a new life, and pray for a path to freedom.
Turn barriers into highways, Holy One!
Come to the edge of a river, the obstacle between you and security in a new way of living.
Turn obstacles into footpaths, Rock of Ages!
Come to this time of worship and its challenge of meaning and belonging.
Turn us into a people of the journey, taking the path, the highway to daring love.
Hymn: VU 644 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
Prayer of Confession: Creator Spirit, Ancient of Days, open us to your presence. Name the night and the day within each of us and reassure us that they are both blessed. Take us through the waters before us to places of hope and safety. Let us come with you on the way to a different world, one of generosity, grace, and goodness. Open us in this time of prayer, song, and praise to your word of life. Notice when we open ourselves to you.
We are not perfect, and some days we struggle to be good or kind. We lose the commitment to your purposes. We go our own way.
Forgive us, even when we are slow to forgive others. Remind us of our baptism and lead us back to the banquet of love.
We pray in the name of the Beloved Child. Amen.
Words of Assurance: No matter where we are or what we have done or how we feel, God is there with us and for us, giving us reason to face another day with faith and with hope. Thanks be to God.
Children’s Time: Katie Dunsford
Children’s Hymn: How Great is Our God
Prayer of Illumination: Now is the time for us to attend to you, O Holy One. We ask that you open our hearts and spirits to receive your word today. As water flows from one place to another, let our outside thoughts flow away from us. Help us remember, perhaps not the words, but the intention behind our own baptisms, and baptisms we have witnessed, as we revisit Jesus’ baptism today. Amen.
Scriptures: Sandy Rawn
Isaiah 42: 1-9
Psalm 29 (VU page 756)
Acts 10: 34-43
Matthew 3: 13-17
Sermon- Rev. Bonnie Kelly—“Instant Recognition”
Hymn : VU 678 For The Healing of the Nations
Pastoral Prayer
Offering: Hymn: Praise god from whom all blessings flow, praise God, all creatures high and low, give thanks to God in love made know. Creator, Word and Spirit One.
Offertory Prayer: Mysterious, Calling God, you reach out to us and call us to use the gifts we have been given, as your beloved children, for the good of others and as blessing in this world. We are called to love others: with acts of kindness, with time spent together, with acts of generosity, with listening and welcoming spirits. We are called to love others, not considering whether we like them or not. We are called to do this because you are love, O God. Help us to be one of your expressions of love in the world. Amen.
Community sharing
Community Hymn:
Commissioning: Go from here to live out your baptismal faith, and let the waters of creation buoy you up and give you strength. Go from here nourished at this table of love, and let the Holy One of Bethlehem be your guide and light. May the Creator of All fill you with hope. May Jesus the Christ meet you at the table and fill you with hunger for change. May the Spirit of Liberation lead you into the path of grace. Go in peace.
Benediction
Three fold Amen
