Wesley United Church– Year A
January 18, 2026, Second Sunday after Epiphany
Worship Leader: Joan Chaisson

Reader: Lucy Bragg
Music: Mabel Spencer
Greeter: Ruth Deveaux
Bell Ringer: Ross Cooper

Gathering in the Spirit

Welcome to our worship service either online or in printed form.

Life and Work of the Church may be found at the end of the service.

Our Blessings & Birthdays for this week are:

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Epiphany is the season of light, that stretches from Christmas to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent! It is the time of year when the days get longer, the sun gets brighter, and God's light shines into the darkest corners. Jesus said, 'I am the Light of the World,' and so we light this candle to remind us of Jesus, God's light, which is a lamp before us, showing us the way. May Christ's light shine within us, through us, and around us. Amen.

Introit: VU # 374 Come and Find the Quiet Center Vs 1

Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.

Call to Worship

L: The Church is the community of those called by God.

P: Justified by grace and embraced as children of God!

L: We are baptized into Christ's death and raised with Christ in the resurrection!

P: We are members of Christ's church-one Baptism, one Faith, and one Lord.

L: Let us gather as God's humble servants; people who follow in Christ's footsteps. Come, let us adore Him!

*Opening Hymn: VU # 679 Let There Be Light

1 Let there be light,
let there be understanding,
let all the nations gather,
let them be face to face;

2 open our lips,
open our minds to ponder,
open the door of concord
opening into grace;

3 perish the sword,
perish the angry judgement,
perish the bombs and hunger,
perish the fight for gain;

4 hollow our love,
hallow the deaths of martyrs,
hallow their holy freedom,
hallowed be your name;

5 your kingdom come,
your spirit turn to language,
your people speak together,
your spirit never fade;

6 let there be light;
open our hearts to wonder,
perish the way of terror,
hallow the world God made.

Opening Prayer

Calling God, You speak our names before we know how to answer. You draw us into your purposes long before we understand the path ahead. As we gather in worship, open our ears to hear your voice, steady our hearts to trust your leading, and shape our lives to reflect the light revealed in Jesus Christ. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Invitation to Confession

Friends, we come before God not to hide our faults,
but to lay them down in the light of His mercy.
Here, there is no shame too deep, no burden too heavy,
that His grace cannot lift.
Let us come with honest hearts—
bringing our doubts, our failures, and our hopes—
trusting that the One who knows us completely
also loves us without measure. In this spirit, let us first pray our personal confessions silently and then join in our public prayer of confession.

Prayer of Confession

Faithful God, You call us to follow, yet we confess that we hesitate. We doubt our worth, resist your direction, and settle for familiarity instead of faithfulness. We fail to trust that your grace is sufficient for our calling. Forgive us, O God. Renew us in mercy and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may live as people shaped by your light and truth. Amen.

Words of Assurance

L. Hear the good news: it is recorded in 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son.” In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, claimed, and sustained by grace.

P. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Listening for the Spirit

Hymn VU # 371 Open My Eyes, That I May See

1 Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

2 Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

3 Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 49:1-7

In this scripture reading, we find ourselves in a bustling marketplace in the ancient city of Jerusalem. In the center of the marketplace stands a man named Isaiah, a prophet known for his powerful messages from God. He is surrounded by a mix of curious onlookers, skeptics, and faithful followers who have come to hear his latest proclamation. Isaiah’s voice booms above the noise of the marketplace as he delivers a message of hope and redemption to the people of Israel, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and promises. He tells them that the servant of the Lord is called from the womb and named as a light to the nations. What appears small or unsuccessful in human eyes is revealed as part of God’s redemptive purpose, reminding the church that faithfulness often precedes visible fruit.
This passage can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ, who would fulfill the ultimate mission of bringing salvation to all nations through his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus would come to offer redemption and reconciliation to all people, breaking down the barriers that divide us.

Isaiah 49:1-7

The Servant’s Mission
Listen to me, O coastlands,
pay attention, you peoples from far away!
The Lord called me before I was born,
while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me away.
And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’
But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my cause is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.’
And now the Lord says,
who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
and that Israel might be gathered to him,
for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
he says,
‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’
Thus says the Lord,
the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations,
the slave of rulers,
‘Kings shall see and stand up,
princes, and they shall prostrate themselves,
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm 40

The Book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs and prayers attributed to King David, the second king of ancient Israel. In this particular psalm, David reflects on his personal experiences with God’s faithfulness and deliverance. He expresses his gratitude to the Lord for hearing his cries and lifting him out of a desperate situation. He acknowledges God’s steadfast love and the blessings that come from trusting in the divine plan. This psalm foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, who will ultimately fulfill God’s promise of salvation for all people.

Psalm 40

L. I waited patiently for you, O God; you bent down and heard my cry.

P. You lifted me out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

L. You put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

P. Many shall see and wonder and will put their trust in you.

Refrain:
You put a new song in my mouth, your name to glorify.

L. Blessed are those whose trust is in God,

P. who have not turned to the proud, nor to those who follow a lie,

L. O God, my God, you have multiplied your wondrous deeds

P. and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!

L. I would proclaim and tell of them,

P. but they are more than can be numbered.

L. Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,

P. burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you have not required.

L. But you have opened my ears to hear, and I said: “Here I am, ready to do what is written in the scroll of the book.”

P. I delight to do your will, O my God, your law is in my heart.

Refrain:
You put a new song in my mouth, your name to glorify.

L. I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; I did not restrain my lips, as you will know.

P. I have not kept your goodness hidden in my heart, but have spoken of your faithfulness and your saving help,

L. I have not concealed your steadfast love, nor your truth from the great congregation.

P. Do not withhold from me your tender care, O God; may your love and truth ever preserve me.

Refrain:
You put a new song in my mouth, your name to glorify.

Response to Psalm

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Gospel Reading: John 1:29-42

This reading is about the revelation and recognition of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, leading to the disciples following him and spreading his message.
The scene in John chapter 1:29-42 takes place by the Jordan River where John the Baptist is baptizing people. John, a rugged and passionate preacher is dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. He is fervently proclaiming the coming of the Messiah and calling people to repentance.
Also present is Andrew, one of John’s disciples, who had been following John’s teachings and baptizing people in the river. Andrew’s brother, Simon Peter, is with him as well. They are both fishermen from Galilee, known for their hard work and dedication to their trade.

As they are standing by the river, Jesus approaches, and John the Baptist points Him out to the crowd, declaring, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Andrew and another disciple of John’s, follow Jesus and spend the day with Him. Andrew is so moved by Jesus that he goes to find his brother Simon Peter and tells him, “We have found the Messiah.” This encounter marks the beginning of Peter and Andrew’s journey as disciples of Jesus.

Gospel Reading: John 1:29-42

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah”. He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Message: What Are You Looking For?

Inspired by Pastor James Laurence

In today’s gospel reading, we encounter the very first words of Jesus that is recorded in John’s Gospel. Words, we know, are important to God. It is how our world was created. God spoke and said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. So, what would God’s Son say? What would be his first recorded words? His last? Words do matter to God, so, it is worth paying close attention to what God’s Son has to say. Jesus makes just three short statements in today’s Gospel reading.
The first statement that Jesus said is found in verse 38, and it is actually a question. John the Baptist had just pointed Jesus out to two of his disciples, saying, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” These two disciples of John quickly made the decision to follow Jesus. When Jesus saw them following, he turned to them and asked: “What are you looking for?”
Now, when we think about it, there are a lot of things that Jesus might have said to them, just as there are lots of ways to greet people these days. “Hello,” for example. Or “how are you?” “How’s it going?” Maybe, depending on the environment, even something like, “Can I help you?” “Do you need something?”
But Jesus says to these two disciples, “What are you looking for?” James Laurence says that this is a simple question, but profound. Maybe even life-changing. The Son of God looks at his first would-be followers and asks them to consider what it is that they are really looking for. It is, when you stop and think about it, one of the most important questions that we can ever ask ourselves. Laurence believes this is the question that Jesus asks of all his would-be followers. What are you looking for?
At our age, we often don’t stop and ask ourselves this question. We rush through life, meeting the day’s needs, dealing with the thousand things this world throws at us, and rarely slow down enough to consider this question.
When Jesus first asked this question to those would-be followers, he wanted to make sure that they were following Jesus for the right reasons. What were they really looking for? Were they looking for a military commander who would lead them out of the oppression that they were experiencing from Rome? Were they looking for a teacher of the Scriptures who would help them understand exactly what they had to do to earn righteousness in God’s eyes? Were they looking for a miracle-worker who would heal them of their sicknesses? Jesus did not come to offer these things.
John the Baptist knew what Jesus came to give us. When he saw Jesus, he said: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) If this is what those disciples were looking for, then they had found it in Jesus. If they were looking for anything else, then they would only have ended up in disappointment.
But, of course, the question for us is not just what were those first disciples looking for, but what are we looking for? What are we really hoping to get out of life? What gets us out of bed in the morning? What keeps us awake at night? When it comes right down to it, what are we really looking for? And, more specifically, what are we hoping to find in Jesus? Pastor James says that if we are looking for anything other than the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, then Jesus will only be another in a long line of disappointments. On the other hand, if this is exactly what we are looking for, then the very next words that Jesus speaks in John’s Gospel offer a wonderful invitation to us all: “Come and see.”
The disciples answer Jesus’ first question with a question of their own: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Okay. They want to follow Jesus. So, it would be good to know where he is staying. On the other hand, their response doesn’t go very deep. It’s on the surface. And Jesus probably realizes that this is going to take some time. So, he simply invites them to “come and see.”
And this second statement that Jesus makes is another simple, but profound statement. Come and see. Come and see where he is staying. And where he is going. And what he is saying. And what he is doing. Come and join Jesus for the great adventure of the Christian life. Isn’t that the invitation to us all? Come and see. Not that we will see it all, not right away. And we will still have questions. So many questions. Faith doesn’t take away the mystery of life. It opens our eyes to the mystery of life. The great mystery and wonder of this world created by God and visited and redeemed by God’s Son.
Following Jesus begins us on a journey, a journey of having our eyes opened to the grace and mercy and love that is always right there, right here, right in front of us, hiding in plain sight. Come and see.
Think of what those first disciples would see. The miracles. The crowds. The teachings. The controversies. The suffering and death on the cross. The empty tomb. The resurrection. Jesus, showing them his hands and his side, his wounds, inviting them to come and see again, and believe. And think, too, of Jesus’ famous words to Thomas, who would not believe that Jesus was raised until he saw for himself: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
That’s us, of course. We haven’t seen, and yet we have come to believe. And how blessed we are. Because now we see everything differently. It is by our faith that we see everything else. Just as it was for those first followers of Jesus.
I really found this to be true before Christmas when our little dog, Charlie, passed in the truck/big dog accident. As you know there were different ways to look at this accident. I could be so mad at God for letting this happen or I could use my faith and beliefs to try to understand why it occurred- in other words what am I looking for, what will I see? I truly believe that Charlie was going with God that morning one way or another- it was by either the truck running over him which killed him almost instantly with no pain or being torn apart by the large dog which would have been slow and very painful. God made sure Charlie went to him with no pain. Also, Charlie’s death has brought this community together in addressing the problem of dangerous animals in our town. The Town Council is now working on a new bylaw to address this type of situation. The RCMP are making sure that owners of dangerous animals must take responsibility of any actions taken by these dogs. God brought Charlie in our lives when he was needed the most and God is making sure that his death may save other animals, children and adults from such dangerous dogs. God has also given us the strength to live through this experience and to come to Jesus to see what he wishes us to do.

Yes, Jesus asks us what we are looking for. He invites us to come and see. And then he makes one more statement in this gospel reading. It is to Peter, but just as with the other statements, it applies to us all. Jesus looked at Peter, who would become the leader of his disciples and of the early church. Simon is his birth name. But Jesus renames him Cephas, the Aramaic word for rock. (The Greek word for rock is petros, or Peter.)
Jesus gives Simon a new name, a new identity. A simple thing, you might say. We’ve all been given nicknames. Some of them we like, some we don’t. But this is not just a nickname. It is a new name. A new identity. Everything will now be different in Simon’s life. Even his name. He will now be Peter, the rock on which Jesus would build his church.
Names are important. And when we join this church that Jesus built, we are given a new name, too: Christian. This is now our identity. We are Christians, followers of Jesus. We know what we are looking for, and we have made the life-changing decision to follow Jesus, to come and see the world with new eyes. And behold, everything is new.
Following Jesus as Christians allows us to think in the way that I did about Charlie. I follow the teachings from Jesus that God is here for us, he loves us and when we come to see and find out what he wants us to do, we will understand why things happen as they do. Right now, I feel that God is wanting Tony and myself to make sure no others in our town will be hurt by such animals and the time has come that owners must be responsible for their pets.
James Laurence says that to all who follow Jesus, he will reveal himself. We will learn who he is. Come and see. Be made new again. Find what it is that we are looking for. And then, of course, go – live this new, changed life.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Responding to the Spirit

*Hymn VU # 87 I Am the Light of the World