SERVICE FOR
THE LORD’S DAY
January 4, 2026
The Second Sunday of Christmas
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Liturgist, Debbie Irvine
CALL TO WORSHIP – from Isaiah 6
Leader: In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up;
People: And the train of his robe filled the temple.
Leader: Above him stood the seraphim.
And one called to another and said:
People: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Leader: And I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
People: Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
*OPENING CAROL #171 Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
*OPENING PRAYER
*CAROL #156 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Most Holy God: How often we have seen the Babe of Bethlehem and yet overlooked who he is. How often we have heard your words spoken by the Word made flesh, and yet not grasped their significance. How many times we have sensed your presence and yet acted as though you didn’t exist. For these and other sins, O Lord, forgive us. Refocus our vision, restore our hearing, and prick our conscience yet again so that as we follow you more nearly, others may follow us along the straight and narrow path into your glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from the Nicene Creed
And we believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. Amen.
HYMN OF RESPONSE #768 I Come With Joy
WORSHIPING GOD WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offertory
*Offertory Response — #126, O Come Let Us Adore Him
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
*Prayer of Dedication
NEW TESTAMENT READING: John 1:19-28
Pastor: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
SERMON: Rev. Bob Mills
A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
“…Among you stands one you do not know.” –John 1:26
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Words of Introduction, Invitation, Institution
Partaking of the Communion Elements
Closing
*CLOSING CAROL #192 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
WELCOME TO NORTHMINSTER EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
— John 1:19-28 (ESV)
