January 18, 2026 – The Second Sunday After the Epiphany

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At Grace, all are welcome, which means we affirm people of every age, race, language, nationality, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ability, family structure, or economic, social, immigration, and marital status.

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Welcome to Grace UMC! We’re blessed by your presence for worship. Please register your attendance using the red attendance pads in the Sanctuary or the link above. If you are in-person and need an assisted listening device, they are available at the back of the Nave. Please ask an usher or greeter. During worship, we use three hymnals: The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, and Worship & Song.

 

+Please rise in body or spirit

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Welcome

 

Prelude-Anita Lockwood

"Sarabande" by Gordon Young

 

+Opening Hymn-UMH 141

“Children of the Heavenly Father”

 

+Opening Prayer

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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+Gloria                                                            

Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:

as it was in the beginning is now and forever,

Amen! Amen! Amen!

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Prayer of Confession 

Gracious God, you call us beloved before we fully understand, yet we sometimes struggle to trust your promises when faith feels unfinished. We hesitate in uncertainty and forget that your grace has already claimed us. Renew us in your love, and help us grow into the identity you have given us, through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of your Spirit. Amen.

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Silence for personal confession and assurance of pardon. 

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Passing the Peace 

May the peace of Christ be always with you.

And also with you.

 

First Lesson- Isaiah 49:1-7

Listen to me, coastlands; pay attention, peoples far away. The Lord called me before my birth, called my name when I was in my mother’s womb. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of God’s own hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in God’s quiver, saying to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I show my glory.” But I said, “I have wearied myself in vain. I have used up my strength for nothing.” Nevertheless, the Lord will grant me justice; my reward is with my God. And now the Lord has decided, the one who formed me from the womb as his servant, to restore Jacob to God, so that Israel might return to him. Moreover, I’m honored in the Lord’s eyes; my God has become my strength. He said: It is not enough, since you are my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the survivors of Israel. Hence, I will also appoint you as light to the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. The Lord, redeemer of Israel and its holy one, says to one despised, rejected by nations, to the slave of rulers: Kings will see and stand up; commanders will bow down on account of the Lord, who is faithful, the holy one of Israel, who has chosen you.

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This is the word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I waited and waited for you, God!

     Now at last you have turned to me

     And heard my cry for help.

You have lifted me out of the horrible pit,

out of the slough of the marsh;

you set my feet on a rock and steadied my steps.

     God, you have put a new song in my mouth–

     a song of praise.

Many will look on in awe and will put their trust in you.

     Happy are those who put their trust in God 

     and do not side with rebels 

     who stray after false gods.  R.

 

How many wonders you have done for us, God, our God!

How many plans you have made for us! 

You have no equal.

     I want to proclaim your deeds again and again,

     but they are more than I can count.

You, who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, opened my ear;

You asked no sacrifice for sin.

     Then I said, “Here I am! I have come!”

     In the scroll of the book it is prescribed for me

     to obey your will.

I have never kept your justice hidden within myself,

But have spoken of your faithfulness and saving help;

    I have made no secret of your love 

    and faithfulness in the Great Assembly.

    May your love and faithfulness constantly protect me. R.

 

+Hymn of Preparation-TFWS 2051

“I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" v. 1-3

 

+Second Lesson - John 1:29-42
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.” The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, “What are you looking for?” They said, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?” He replied, “Come and see.” So they went 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 disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ). He led him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).​

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This is the word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

 

+Hymn of Preparation-TFWS 2051

“I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" v. 1-3

 

Sermon-The Rev. Seth O’Kegley

Called Before We Choose (Click here to read text)

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Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God, who created us in love and whose grace comes to us before we ever seek God; we believe that we are broken by sin and cannot save ourselves, yet God does not abandon us. We believe in Jesus Christ, who came among us, was crucified and raised, and reconciles us to God. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who awakens faith, forgives and renews, and gives new life. We believe in the Church, the body of Christ, a covenant community of grace and truth, called to nurture, teach, and send disciples. We believe in one baptism by water and the Holy Spirit, God’s gift of forgiveness and new birth, incorporating us into Christ’s Church, given to persons of every age and received only once. We believe that God remains faithful to the covenant and calls us to repent, to trust, to reaffirm our vows, and to grow in holiness of heart and life. Amen.

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Prayers of the People 

God of belonging, hear our prayer.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. 

 

Parish Announcements

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Offertory-Chancel Choir

“Here Marked Not with Water Only” by Robert J. Weaver and William A. Pasch

 

Here marked not with water only but with Word, the signs of Grace, Child of God, with us as family standing with you in this place. May our witness help imagine love that fills all time and space? Fear no evil on your journey. To you God has freely given all the love you need for ever, in Christ’s sacrifice for sin. Death was beaten by Christ’s rising! Now no foes can ever win. May the Holy Spirit guide you in the paths of heaven’s love. Grace unearned, yet still inspiring deeds returning thanks above. Now reborn, washed with God’s blessing, faithful, go! All mountains move!

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-Today’s loose coin offering is for Denver Inner City Parish-

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+Doxology -Lasst Uns Erfreuen

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise God, the source of all our gifts.

Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia.

 

+Hymn of Discipleship- TFWS 2253

“Water, River, Spirit, Grace”

 

+Benediction & Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Postlude- Anita Lockwood

​"Allegro” by JG. Walther, arr. by Kevin Norris

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Worship Leaders

The Rev. Seth O’Kegley, preaching

Jessica Sergeant, liturgists

Steven Burchard, Director of Music

Anita Lockwood, pianist and organist

Chancel Choir