Jan. 4th no service at either Hampton or Eldad.
Eldad – Hampton Pastoral Charge
of the United Church of Canada.
Rev. Doug Ferris
Music Director: Evan Funnell
January 11, 2026
Services are recorded, contact eldadunitedchurch@gmail.com,
if you wish to receive a link each Sunday to the service.
PRE-SERVICE: WE PREPARE FOR WORSHIP
PRE-SERVICE SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favour…that he has shown according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. (Isaiah 63:7)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE LAND
We acknowledge that the land upon which we gather as the unceded traditional territory of the Anishnaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat First Nations, governed by the Williams Treaties (1923) Number and Treaty 20 (1818). May we challenge ourselves to live in to the agreements of Truth and Reconciliation, both individually and together as one community.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CELEBRATIONS
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
In this season of Christmas, we light this candle to remind us of God’s light shines through the darkness in Christ Jesus. May we carry the Spirit’s light of hope, peace, and justice to the world around us in every season of the year. Amen
WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP
GATHERING IN WORSHIP
One: The Psalmist says, “Surely God is our salvation, we will trust and not be afraid, for the Holy One is our strength and our might. Let us give thanks to God, Call on God’s holy name; and make known God’s deeds among the nations
ALL: And we do give thanks: for the joy of Christmas celebrations, for the opportunity to visit with loved ones, for the love of God poured out in our lives; and for the love that calls us to actions of justice, equity, compassion and liberation for all. As this New Year begins, may we all give thanks for the Blessing and Calling of God, which invites each of us to become shed abroad in our hearts through the Spirit.
One: For this and more, we give thanks together as one family, and we praise God in song and prayer. Let us rejoice together in the singing of our Gathering Song, “Let Us Build a House.”
GATHERING IN SONG: More Voices #1 “Let Us Build A House Together”
GATHERING IN PRAYER
One: God of new beginnings, with give you thanks for the anticipation of a New Year in Christ.
ALL: We give thanks for the joy shared by all in our Christmas celebrations and in the excitement of a new year ahead. We seek to embrace the joy of the Holy Spirit as we seek new ways to be the church in the New Year.
One: Merciful God, like the crowds seeking the Spirit of the Wilderness, we are filled with expectation and questioning. Like the crowds curiously listening to the prophet John at the River Jordan, we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit calling us to enter into the deep waters of change as your church continues to develop in the changing culture of the twenty-first century.
ALL: We rejoice that—together—we are building a new house on a firm foundation of family and faith. As we enter a new year, may we also enter into a new Epiphany in the joy and excitement of our life together in Christ Jesus. At this time of transformation, we trust in Your Spirit of Light and Life that guides us forward in the Calling of Christ Jesus. Amen.
FAMILY IN CONVERSATION AND WORSHIP: The Gospel of Matthew 13:52
Jesus once said to his disciples that “every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Our rich family traditions remind us of our connection to the past, and every year our traditions transform, just a little bit. It’s kind of like our life of faith, isn’t it? With generational leaders, new parents and excited children, the treasures of our families always include old ways, and new ideas. How did you experience the love and generosity of your family this Christmas?
FAMILY IN PRAYER:
ALL: Loving God of All Families, we give you thanks for the fruit of the Spirit that feeds our spirits in the love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness that we experience as we gather together in community with our families and friends. May we grow together as a living branch of your family in likeness and spirit. In Christ we pray, Amen.
FAMILY IN SONG: More Voices #12 “Come, Touch Our Hearts”
MINISTRY OF THE WORD
PRAYER OF ENLIGHTENMENT:
Proverbs 3: 20-23 [Link to Scriptures]
Galatians 5: 1, 13-25 (edited)
One: The Word of God for the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God for the Word.
MINISTRY OF THE WORD IN RESPONSIVE PRAYER:
ALL: God of All Families, we give you thanks for the miracle of family life, for the patience, gentleness and love that parents invest in their growing children, for the kindness and generosity that families offer to those who are hurting or experiencing difficult circumstances, and for gathering together, for the wonder of living life as One in the spirit of Christ. May we grow into the life abundant, filled with the fullness of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control through the grace of the Holy Spirit in Christ. Amen.
Words of Assurance:
THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE WORD
THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION: Offertory
We bring our Gifts of Service and Support before God and for the Work of the Church.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Leader: Let Us Join in The Prayers of the People and the Prayer of Jesus. Let Us Pray: Gracious God, We pray for the faithful all over the world, that all who love you may be united. God hear our prayer
R: And in your love, answer.
We pray for the people and leaders of the nations, that they may be reconciled to each other. We pray for the Church, Universal and Triumphant, that all expressions of your Body the Church may be recognized as One. God hear our prayer
R: And in your love, answer.
We pray for all who suffer from prejudice, exclusion, greed, violence, hatred, exclusion, racism, and victimization. We pray that the Love of Christ shall triumph and that freedom will reign. Hear our prayer
R: And in your love, answer.
We pray for our planet, the earth, that human activity will change to enable the Earth and its systems to flourish. We pray for those affected by the adverse effects of Industrialism and Capitalism, rampant flooding, atmospheric pollution, and global warming. We pray that the Holy Spirit will heal the blindness of greed. Hear our prayer,
R: And in your love, answer.
We hold loved ones who face illness, injury, and medical diagnoses. May the members of your body—the church—extend physical, psychological and spiritual solace to those who suffer. May your Spirit heal bodily sickness, psychological distress, and spiritual loneliness. May the healing touch of Christ Jesus shine through the physical interventions of medical professionals, and may the presence of loved ones transmit the love of Christ in Spirit, Word, Prayer and gentle touch. Loving God, hear our prayer,
R: And in your love, answer.
Loving God, we give you thanks for the Love of God, the Atonement of Christ Jesus, and the Abiding Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we look into the promise of a new year, we pray for the hope, peace, and love of Christ so present with us throughout Advent will elevate our faith and energize our witness to all in the year to come. We pray for your presence in our congregational life and in our personal lives. Loving God, hear our prayer,
R: And in your love, answer
Let us join together in The Prayer of Jesus, saying:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
RESPONDING TO THE WORD IN THE UNITED CHURCH’S EXPRESSION OF FAITH, “A SONG OF FAITH”:
With Christians throughout time, we affirm our belief in the Old and New Testaments as primary standards of Christian faith and life. The United Church of Canada also affirms these timeless truths as expressed for our day in the poetic phrases of “A Song of Faith.”
ALL: “We find God made known in Jesus of Nazareth, and so we sing of God the Christ, the Holy One embodied. We sing of Jesus, a Jew, born to a woman in poverty, in a time of social upheaval and political oppression. He knew human joy and sorrow. So filled with the Holy Spirit was he that in him people experienced the presence of God among them…God raised Jesus from death, turning sorrow into joy, despair into hope. Grateful for God’s loving action, we cannot keep from singing.”
RENEWED, COMMISSIONED AND SENT FORTH INTO THE MINISTRY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
BENEDICTION & BLESSING
Hampton United Church 