Worship Leader: Barb DeJeet, LLWL Music Director: James MacKenzie
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026
“What does God require of us”
“Do justice, love kindness, and live humbly with God.”
Welcome / Announcements / Celebrations
Land Acknowledgement:
As we gather, we take a moment to remember that the land we call Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, Christ United Pastoral charge, Village of Lyn, Ontario, is the territory of the Indigenous peoples. We seek to learn about past wrongs, act with justice in the present, and pray for a better future together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
Christ Candle:
We light this Christ candle reminding us that the God of Love is always with us. AMEN
Call To Worship:
Why are we called to this place?
To be God’s people.
What is required of us?
To seek justice, to love kindness, to live humbly with God.
And how shall we do this?
With our prayers, with our thoughts, with our actions, and with our love.
Then, as people who are both blessed and blessing:
Let us worship God!
Richard Bott, Grace U.C., Burlington, Ont.
Opening Hymn: VU 68 “All Poor Ones and Humble”
Passing of the Peace:
We are children of God, so let us share our Father’s peace with one another. -Peace of Christ!
Opening Prayer:
Redeeming God, you come to us in Christ to rescue us from slavery and lead us out of captivity. Guide us by the wisdom of the cross and show us how to live a life of justice, love, and blessedness. AMEN
Invitation To the Word:
God of kindness, may your Spirit gently open our spirits with understanding and our hearts with compassion, as we receive your words to us today. AMEN
Susan Girard, Riverview, U.C., Atikokan, ON
Scriptures:
Micah 6: 1-8 “What does God require of us?”
Matthew 5: 1-12 “Blessed are the poor”
Anthem: “We Three Kings / Little Drummer Boy / Huron Carol”
Reflection: “What Do You Want God??”
The question “WHY” is a divine-human question. When we ask God, “why?” God turns to us and offers, “Yes, why?” If we ask God, “Why is there hunger?” God asks us the same question, “Yes, why is there hunger? When there is enough food in the world, where is there hunger?”
Please pray with me; Bless these words O God, the ears that hear them and the hearts that understand. AMEN
Micah presents a court case, with God questioning the people. The conclusion is the famous verse 8, “to do justice, to love kindness, and walk humbly with God.”
The psalmist continues to ask, “Who may abide in God’s tent?”. Reform theologian John Calvin wrote that “churches are more or less pure,” as he recognized that we struggle to embody and live out the requirements of God’s covenant. Paul, in Corinthians, wrote how the world names what we attempt to do as foolishness. Albert Einstein is reputed to have said, “What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.”
How do we do what is right and in accordance with Christ? The Beatitudes, listed in Matthew reading, set out a constitution for Christian life. What are the consequences for us of not adhering to the covenant relationship we have with God? What if we do not do our part? What does God require of us?
ACT JUSTLY –
The call to “act justly” speaks to living in accordance with God’s righteous standards. Justice, in the biblical context, involves treating others with fairness, compassion, and righteousness.
Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized the importance of justice, saying “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
LOVE MERCY-
Calls us to cultivate a heart of compassion and forgiveness. Mercy is not merely an action but a disposition of the heart that reflects God’s boundless compassion toward us.
Brennan Manning beautifully express the transformative nature of mercy, stating, “IN PRAYER, WE SHIFT OUR POINT OF VIEW AND SEE WITH THE EYES OF CHRIST. WE SEE OURSELVES, OTHERS AND THE WORLD THE WAY GOD SEES THEM.”
Ephesians 4: 32 “Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD:
Calls for a life characterised by humility and a surrendered walk with God. Humility involves recognising our dependence on God, acknowledging His wisdom and aligning our lives with His guidance.
Andrew Murray underscores the significance of humility, stating, “HUMILITY IS NOTHING BUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SELF IN THE VISION THAT GOD IS ALL.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
Epiphany season is a time when we learn about who Jesus is and what his mission is. He was baptized, tempted, and then went to find his followers by saying, “Come and See”, when asked where he was staying by Andrew. Jesus chose his disciples and then taught them the way to live and taught them the Beatitudes which are more than skin deep.
The Beatitudes are like a splash of ice-cold water in the face of those who are self-satisfied and full of themselves. The Pharisees, for example, were wealthy, successful, powerful and very religious. They thought the coming of the Kingdom of God would surely bring them happiness, and that God would surely reward them for being such good people. Their righteousness, however, was only skin-deep. It was a show, fake; they looked good on the outside to others, but in God’s eyes they were rotten to the core.
If we are like the Pharisees, and some of us are, we better pay attention! God wants us to empty ourselves of all the things that we have prided ourselves on. He wants us to take off those religious masks and fake smile and simply be ourselves with him – warts and all. He knows our true spiritual condition much better that we do. He knows the secret, hidden sins of our hearts and minds. He knows the true motivation behind each of our actions, - the selfishness, the greed, the ambition, the desire. He knows what we do when we think no one else is watching. None of this is news to him-! He just wants us to acknowledge our pitiful condition before him – that our own righteousness just doesn’t have what it takes to “make the cut” in the kingdom of God.
However, the Beatitudes are also a cool drink of water for those who have a bad taste in their mouths from all the wicked, evil ways of the world, and are longing for something better – for something that brings true refreshment and satisfaction instead of leaving us dry. Jesus takes what the world calls “blessed” and turns it completely upside down. In the process, he gives special honor to those who are despised, and hated by the world, and shows us all where true joy and happiness in life really comes from! Once we have been emptied of all our sinful pride and self-righteousness, we discover that God has always wanted to fill us with the good things that can come only through faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who is more than willing to forgive us, cleanse us, and make us new from within- a new heart, a new mind, and new life!!
Jesus began by saying, “Blessed are..” These first words mark Jesus as the Giver. The word “Blessed” shows that God has acted or will act for man’s good:
Psalm 32: 1-2 “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Psalm 65: 4 “Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts”
Revelation 19: 9 “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
In Matthew, “blessed is always linked to God’s action in Jesus himself:
Matthew 11:6 “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 13: 16-17 “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and hear who you hear but did not hear it.”
Matthew 16:17 Because Simon, named Peter, said that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
Jesus’ Beatitudes, declare what Jesus IS and what he GIVES. In pronouncing these blessings, Jesus announces himself as the Messiah and then identifies those who are blessed:
“The poor in spirit”: people who are helpless and look to God to meet every need.
“Those who mourn”: people who are heartbroken and look to God for comfort.
“The meek”: people who are powerless and look to God for strength.
“Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”: people who are empty and look to God for purpose and satisfaction in life.
Jesus also names what they will receive: the poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven. Really, we are all helpless before God; spiritually deaf and blind.
Everything changes when we hear we are loved, forgiven, sons and daughters of God, who loves us regardless. We have to be willing to come to him and ask for help and forgiveness and then we will live lives of joy, peace, happiness, love, compassion, willing to forgive as we have been forgiven. Is this what you want God??
Praise be to God. AMEN
Responding Hymn: MV 18 “Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary”
Invitation Of Offering:
Yesterday, we received with gratitude. The gifts of today, we receive with gratitude. Tomorrow, we again will receive with gratitude in our hearts.
Yesterday, we gave as followers of Jesus. Today, we give as followers of Jesus. Tomorrow, we again will give as Jesus’ disciples. We present now our offerings.
Offering Hymn: VU 541 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Offering Prayer:
Generous God, we give you back a portion of what you have blessed us with. Bless these gifts and use them to further your work in this church, this community, and around the world. This we ask in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Prepare Hearts For Prayer: VU 400 “Lord Listen to Your Children Praying”
Prayers / Lord’s Prayer:
O God, whose wisdom surpasses our understanding, help us to grow as a people of blessing as we offer our prayers of the church and the world.
We pray for those who mourn, may they know the comfort of your abiding presence.
We pray for the meek; may they receive the goodness of your earth.
We pray for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; may they be filled with goodness.
We pray for those who are merciful; may they also receive mercy.
We pray for the pure in heart; may they see you face to face.
We pray for the peacemakers; may they be recognized as your children.
We pray for those who a persecuted for the sake of righteousness; may they know the protection of your realm.
We rejoice this day and give thanks for the many blessings of this life and for the gift of heaven which is ours even now. May we, with your prophets from all the ages, have the wisdom to pursue your truth and the courage to do what is holy and right. We ask all this in the name of Christ, who is our light, our life, and taught us to say, “Our Father.”
Closing Hymn: VU 600 “When I Needed a Neighbour”
Commission:
In the spirit of the beatitudes, commit to leading a life of blessing, living in compassion, simplicity and peace.
Benediction:
May Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine brightly on your path as you walk the way of justice and peace.
And the blessing of God – the Creator, Healer, and Giver of Life – bless you and keep you always.
Hymn: “Go Now in Peace”
"A Village Church With A Heart For The World"
Christ United Church
12 Perth St., Lyn, ON, K0E 1M0
(613)498-0281 (Phone) (613)498-2589 (Fax)
lynunitedchurch@cogeco.net www.lynunitedchurch.com Follow on Twitter: @Ch1United