AT-HOME WORSHIP GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026
January 25, 2026
The Third Sunday of Epiphany
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: The mystery from which true godliness springs
is great—come and see!
Jesus Christ appeared in the flesh,
People: was vindicated by the Spirit,
Leader: was seen by angels,
People: was preached among the nations,
Leader: was believed on in the world,
People was taken up in glory.
Leader: May all the ends of the earth
see the salvation of our God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION — Unison, based on Matt. 2:1-16; 6:33
Confession is our honest response to God’s grace. Because God is merciful, we do not hide our sin or pretend we have it all together. We come truthfully before Him, trusting that forgiveness is found in Jesus Christ.
everyone is searching for your light
shining in the face of Christ.
The Magi sought Christ simply to worship him.
But Herod sought him to appease his jealous anger.
We confess that our motives in seeking Jesus are not pure.
We do not come simply to worship:
we come to Christ, asking his benefits of reassurance, health, wealth;
asking him to fulfill the hundred petitions
for not-so-important requests that we heap before him.
But the Magi sought first the kingdom.
Help us, God, to follow their example,
putting our own need in perspective,
worshiping the Christ in love, content to be in your presence,
and laying our gifts before you.
Then may we journey, trusting that your goodness and light
will accompany us all the days of our life. Amen.
that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him
while we are walking in darkness,
we lie and do not do what is true;
but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Westminster Confession of Faith 18.8
Each week we affirm our faith together, often with a passage from the Westminster Confession or Catechisms, sometimes with the Apostles or Nicene Creed. In doing so, we both profess to others and remind ourselves of the truths of our faith, truths that are not new but ones that believers have professed for hundreds of years (or more).
We believe that Jesus Christ insures with absolute certainty that everyone for whom he purchased redemption actually accepts and receives it. He makes intercession for them, reveals the mysteries of salvation to them in and by the word, and effectively persuades them to believe and obey by his Spirit. He governs their hearts by his word and Spirit and overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom in such ways as are most in agreement with his wonderful and unknowable administration of things. Amen.
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
We encourage you to open to the Word of God in a Bible that you have at home with you. If you do not have a bible, you can find the scripture reading below the order of worship.
NEW TESTAMENT READING: John 17:1-26
Pastor: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
SERMON: Rev. David Garrison
NAMED & CLAIMED
Series: Blessed to be a Blessing
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace,
Now, and forevermore. Amen.
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
— John 17:1-26 (ESV)
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, January 25, 2026
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:30-10:30. We look forward to seeing you!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
ANNUAL MEETING & POTLUCK – SUNDAY, FEB. 8, NOON
Plan to join us for a potluck luncheon on Sunday, February 8th immediately after church. Please bring a pot of soup or chili and a dessert to share. The church will provide drinks and bread. We plan to have our annual church meeting and a little Valentine fun, as well. We will also vote to approve the Pastor’s Terms of Call for 2026.
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click here to fill out the form.
Coming Soon…
INQUIRERS CLASS
Would you like to know more about our church? Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member? This class will give you the opportunity to hear about our church, the denomination we belong to, and where we see God leading us. If interested, tell Pastor David or sign up by clicking here..
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, January 18, 2026
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:30-10:30. We look forward to seeing you!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 10:00 AM
Northminster’s Book Club will meet on Thursday, January 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, “Whistling Past the Graveyard” by Susan Crandall. Please join us on January 22nd to discuss the book and bring a snack to share with the group. Come even if you have not read the book. And, as always, bring a friend!!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click here to fill out the form.
Coming Soon…
INQUIRERS CLASS
Would you like to know more about our church? Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member? This class will give you the opportunity to hear about our church, the denomination we belong to, and where we see God leading us. If interested, tell Pastor David or sign up by clicking here..
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, January 11, 2026
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:30-10:30. We look forward to seeing you!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 10:00 AM
Northminster’s Book Club will meet on Thursday, January 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, “Whistling Past the Graveyard” by Susan Crandall. Please join us on January 22nd to discuss the book and bring a snack to share with the group. Come even if you have not read the book. And, as always, bring a friend!!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click here to fill out the form.
Coming Soon…
INQUIRERS CLASS
Would you like to know more about our church? Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member? This class will give you the opportunity to hear about our church, the denomination we belong to, and where we see God leading us. If interested, tell Pastor David or sign up by clicking here..
Read more...
JANUARY 2026 MILLS’ MUSINGS — SAME TIME NEXT YEAR
Were there angels in heaven who kept records of such things, I suspect most of us one day would be amazed to learn how often we thought, yet how little we knew, about time.
Please don’t take that as a criticism. The concept of time has long perplexed poets, painters, philosophers, physicists, and those of us who persistently look up at a wall or down at our wrist (or our phone) to learn what time it is. It might seem that attempts to learn what time it is presuppose that someone, somewhere, has determined what time is. But that presupposition is optimistic.
Most of us have a deeply intuitive sense not only that time exists, but that it matters. Even if we can’t precisely define it, we continually experience it. And many individuals, coming from many different starting points, have tried to express their perceptions about time.
Poets, going at least as far back as William Shakespeare, eloquently survey the effects of time on human beings. Often, but certainly not always, poets portray time as an enemy. The best-known painting of the Surrealist Salvador Dali, formally titled The Persistence of Memory, is more popularly known as Melting Clocks. Years after finishing the painting, Dali addressed the wide range of meanings ascribed to the work by saying even he didn’t know what it meant.
Then there are physicists and philosophers who don’t believe there’s any such thing as time. Some modern physicists use Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity to argue that in space-time, concepts such as past, present, and future are meaningless. A century earlier, the philosopher Immanuel Kant had argued that temporal order is found only in an individual’s mind and that time does not objectively exist.
The Bible takes a different approach. Although both Hebrew and Greek have several words properly translated “time,” Scripture doesn’t speculate about time’s nature. Instead of arguing for its existence or listing its qualities, the Bible simply assumes that time exists. My broad summary of the biblical view of time is that it’s something like a cosmic canvas across which God’s specific acts in the redemption of his people are sequentially unfurled.
Time is God’s creation and it remains under his direction. As such, not only is time real (contra some philosophers and physicists), time is also very good (contra some poets and painters). According to the Bible, human history, and our individual histories, are moving toward a God-established goal. Time is a gift of God that helps us track our progress. We can look back at the places where we’ve wandered off the path. We can also look ahead to get at least a glimpse of the glory God already has prepared for us.
The advent of a new calendar year is often used by individuals and organizations as an opportunity to look back and to look ahead. Both can be rewarding exercises. As Christians, we can look back and see specific points where we’ve grown in our faith. We can also gain clarity about opportunities for future growth. But, as Christians, I think our greatest joy comes from looking ahead. For there we see a God “with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). And there we see our Savior, Jesus Christ, who “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
Happy New Year.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, January 4, 2026
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:30-10:30. We look forward to seeing you!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY, January 6, 3:30 PM
Women’s Bible Study will be meeting on Tuesday, January 6th at 3:30 in the afternoon. We are using the book, “Sermon on the Mount” by Jen Wilkin. Homework is to read and answer questions for week 3 – A People of Influence – pgs. 42 -55. Grab your book, your Bible, a snack you can share with the group and come on over for some amazing Bible study! If you don’t get your homework done, come anyway!! And, as always, we would love for you to bring a friend!! Any questions, talk to Karey or Sharon!
MISSION FOCUS FOR DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS BASKETS
The December Mission Focus was the Christmas Baskets. Thank you for your generous support that brightened the holidays for several families in our area!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click this link and fill out the form.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, December 28, 2025
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:30-10:30. We look forward to seeing you!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY, January 6, 3:30 PM
Women’s Bible Study will be meeting on Tuesday, January 6th at 3:30 in the afternoon. We are using the book, “Sermon on the Mount” by Jen Wilkin. Homework is to read and answer questions for week 3 – A People of Influence – pgs. 42 -55. Grab your book, your Bible, a snack you can share with the group and come on over for some amazing Bible study! If you don’t get your homework done, come anyway!! And, as always, we would love for you to bring a friend!! Any questions, talk to Karey or Sharon!
MISSION FOCUS FOR DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS BASKETS
The December Mission Focus is the Christmas Baskets. Thank you for your generous support that brightened the holidays for several families in our area!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, December 21, 2025
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:30-10:30. We look forward to seeing you!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
BIRTHDAY PARTY & POTLUCK FOR JESUS – SUNDAY, DEC. 21
Join us after worship on Sunday, December 21 as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a potluck lunch, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then singing our favorite traditional Christmas carols. Please bring a dish or two of your choosing. The meat and drinks will be provided. Even though we will have a birthday cake, feel free to bring a dessert!
CHRISTMAS CAROLING – MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 4:00 PM
Join us for our annual tradition of caroling to our homebound members. We’ll meet at the church and carpool together as we enjoy fellowship and make a joyful noise singing our favorite Christmas tunes. This is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to come together as we spread some Christmas cheer!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDELIGHT SERVICE – DEC. 24, 7:00 PM
On Christmas Eve, we invite you to join us for a family-friendly candlelight service celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This service of song, carol and Scripture provides a wonderful opportunity to get a sense of how eager the Hebrews were for the coming of the Messiah so long ago and reminds us how eager we are for his return. We look forward to seeing you there!
MISSION FOCUS FOR DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS BASKETS
The December Mission Focus is the Christmas Baskets. Thank you for your generous support that brightened the holidays for several families in our area!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click this link and fill out the form.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, December 14, 2025
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS – STILL AVAILABLE
It’s time to order poinsettias to help decorate our sanctuary for the Advent-Christmas season. You are welcome to donate one in memory and in honor of loved ones. The sign up sheet and order forms are available on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. They are $10.00 each. Please contact Linda Lange if you have questions.
BIRTHDAY PARTY & POTLUCK FOR JESUS – SUNDAY, DEC. 21
Join us after worship on Sunday, December 21 as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a potluck lunch, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then singing our favorite traditional Christmas carols. Please bring a dish or two of your choosing. The meat and drinks will be provided. Even though we will have a birthday cake, feel free to bring a dessert!
CHRISTMAS CAROLING – MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 4:00 PM
Join us for our annual tradition of caroling to our homebound members. We’ll meet at the church and carpool together as we enjoy fellowship and make a joyful noise singing our favorite Christmas tunes. This is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to come together as we spread some Christmas cheer!
MISSION FOCUS FOR DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS BASKETS
The December Mission Focus is the Christmas Baskets. Please bring items to help bring a little joy to needy families in our area. Details can be found in the December newsletter.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, December 7, 2025
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS – ORDER TODAY
It’s time to order poinsettias to help decorate our sanctuary for the Advent-Christmas season. You are welcome to donate one in memory and in honor of loved ones. The sign up sheet and order forms are available on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. They are $10.00 each and the deadline is today, Sunday, Dec. 7. Please contact Linda Lange if you have questions.
BIRTHDAY PARTY & POTLUCK FOR JESUS – SUNDAY, DEC. 21
Join us after worship on Sunday, December 21 as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a potluck lunch, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then singing our favorite traditional Christmas carols. Please bring a dish or two of your choosing. The meat and drinks will be provided. Even though we will have a birthday cake, feel free to bring a dessert!
CHRISTMAS CAROLING – MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 4:00 PM
Join us for our annual tradition of caroling to our homebound members. We’ll meet at the church and carpool together as we enjoy fellowship and make a joyful noise singing our favorite Christmas tunes. This is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to come together as we spread some Christmas cheer!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDELIGHT SERVICE – DEC. 24, 7:00 PM
On Christmas Eve, we invite you to join us for a family-friendly candlelight service celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This service of song, carol and Scripture provides a wonderful opportunity to get a sense of how eager the Hebrews were for the coming of the Messiah so long ago and reminds us how eager we are for his return. We look forward to seeing you there!
MISSION FOCUS FOR DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS BASKETS
The December Mission Focus is the Christmas Baskets. Please bring items to help bring a little joy to needy families in our area. Details can be found in the December newsletter.
Read more...
