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TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
January 4, 2026
Epiphany Sunday
GATHERING AND PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
PRELUDE: “Nativity Lullaby” Chip Davis
Readying Our Hearts (A time of silent prayer and reflection in preparation for worshiping God together.)
Scriptures for Reflection and Memorization: Romans 11:36
For from Him [God] and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from portions of Psalm 105)
Leader: Give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His love endures forever.
People: Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.
Leader: Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.
People: Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Leader: Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
People: Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; God’s love endures forever.
PRAYER OF ADORATION/INVOCATION
*GATHERING SONG: #242 “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem”
O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there,
And of the news that came to them from angels in the air:
The light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today;
Of Jesus’ birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway.
O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy,
O sing of fragrant flowers’ breath, and of the sinless boy:
For now the flowers of Nazareth in every heart may grow;
Now spreads the fame of His dear name on all the winds that blow.
O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill,
Of Him who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still:
For though, like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll,
When faith has heard the Master’s word, falls peace upon the soul.
O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay;
Of Him who hung upon the tree, and took our sins away:
For He who died on Calvary is risen from the grave,
And Christ, our Lord, by heaven adored, is mighty now to save.
SCRIPTURE READING: Exodus 20:1-6 (Pew Bible p. 118)
And God spoke all these words:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Unison prayer after a time of silent personal confession.)
God of light, we have been so blind when truth has been so clear. Instead of looking at our world with the eyes of Christ, we have chosen to see things from our own narrow perspective, and have responded to the needs of our world out of self-interest. Instead of seeking to discern the Spirit’s leading, we have been more attuned to our wants, and have missed Your way. Forgive our failure to follow in the path of love’s clear leading. Give us faith that trusts when it cannot see. And enable us to be guided by the Light that is Christ, Who is the bright Morning Star, and through Whom we can be that light to our world that You call us to be.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
Leader: There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death. And if the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through the Spirit, who lives in us. Therefore, I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ: You are forgiven!
*All: (Gloria Patri)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 42:5-13 (Pew Bible pp. 1124-1125)
This is what God the LORD says –
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
“I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.
Let them give glory to the LORD
and proclaim his praise in the islands.
The LORD will march out like a champion,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
*HYMN: #232 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing worldly minded, for with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six-winged seraph, cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord Most High.”
SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 11:33-36 (Pew Bible p. 1763)
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments,
and His paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON: “The Reformed Solas — Part V: Soli Deo Gloria (for the Glory of God Alone)”
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD THROUGH AFFIRMATION,
OFFERING, AND PRAYER
*SONG OF REFLECTION AND RESPONSE: #66 “To God Be the Glory”
To God be the glory, great things He hath done;
So loved he the world that he gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. (Refrain)
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. (Refrain)
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER AND OFFERING
Invitation
Affirmation of Faith: The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Partaking of the Elements and the Giving of Our Offering
“What Child Is This?” arr. Lani Smith
(For those joining us in the Sanctuary this morning, you are invited, as you come forward to receive the Communion Elements, and as you feel so led, to place your offering in one of the plates up front. For those unable to be with us physically, you are encouraged to partake of the elements in your home at this time. Also, as you are able, we invite you to set aside your offering as an act of personal dedication at this time, either to be mailed in, dropped off at the church, or brought in when you are able to join us in worship. Let this time be one of receiving from and offering yourself to our Lord — to the praise of His glory.)
Prayer of Commitment
*Sung Response (Doxology)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER OF INTERCESSION/SUPPLICATION
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 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.
BRINGING OUR WORSHIP INTO OUR WORLD
*SENDING SONG: #234 “Wise Men, They Came to Look for Wisdom”
Wise men, they came to look for wisdom, finding One wiser than they knew;
rich men, they met with One yet richer – King of the kings, they knelt to You:
Jesus, our wisdom from above, wealth and redemption, life and love.
Pilgrims they were, from unknown countries, searching for One who knows the world;
lost are their names and strange their journeys, famed is their zeal to find the child:
Jesus, in You the lost are claimed, aliens are found and known and named.
Magi, they stopped to see Your splendor, led by a star to light supreme;
promised Messiah, Lord eternal, glory and peace are in Your name:
Joy of each day, our song by night, shine on our path Your holy light.
Guests of their God, they opened treasures, incense and gold and solemn myrrh;
welcoming One too young to question how came these gifts, and what they were.
Gift beyond price of gold or gem, make among us Your Bethlehem.
*BENEDICTION: (Numbers 6:24-26)
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen.
Postlude: “Noel” Louis Claude D’Aquin
____________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Note: Church’s email address – office@trinitychurchtroy.org. Website address – www.trinitychurchtroy.org.)
- If you would like to help support the work of Hope 7 in our local community, we encourage you to drop off non-perishable food items, toiletries and other hygiene items either at Trinity Church, or at Hope 7 directly (M-F 9:30-11:45), or call Sue Laz (518-892-4042) to arrange for a pick-up.
- We are receiving new or gently used clothes for the Capital City Rescue Mission (CCRM). There is a box in the narthex for donations. You may bring your items to the church or call Sue Laz to arrange for a pick-up.
- Church “business-style” cards are available in the narthex. You are encouraged to take some to hand out as you invite others to join us in worship.
- Sunday morning prayer, 8:30-9:00am in the Prayer Room/Library. Join us as we pray for Sunday’s worship as well as other needs, concerns, praises and thanksgivings.
- Adult Sunday morning Bible Study meets before worship (9:15-10:00am). We are in the midst of a study on the Spiritual Disciplines, but feel free to jump in and join us where we are.
- Wednesday evening Bible Study will meet this Wednesday, January 7th as we resume our study of Romans, with our focus on Romans 11:33-36. You can find the Zoom link at the church’s website under “Digital meetings” or as included here — https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84268790436.
- To encourage us in the study of God’s Word, the Inward Ministry Committee is providing a selection of Bible study booklets for personal Bible study. These can be found in the literature rack in the narthex.
- The Annual Congregational Meeting of the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Troy, NY will be held on Sunday January 25th following the worship service. The purpose of the meeting being to:
- Review committee reports for 2025;
- Approve Pastor John’s Terms of Call for 2026;
- Review the 2026 General Fund budget;
- Elect members to serve on the Nominating Committee for 2026;
- Act on any other business or information brought before the congregation.
- We will begin with a potluck luncheon and then move into the business of the annual meeting. You are encouraged to attend as we celebrate God’s faithfulness over the past year and look ahead to how God will use Trinity Church to be a blessing in the new year.