January 25, 2026
Prelude: Be Thou My Wisdom…
Irish tune/arr. Clarke
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 62]
God alone is our rock and our salvation, our fortress; we shall not be shaken.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken; twice have we heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
Let us worship the LORD!
God of Grace and God of Glory (Hymn 420)
Fosdick/Hughes
God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy power;
Crown Thine ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn Thy Christ, assail thy ways!
From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Cure Thy children’s warring madness; bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.
Confession
God of justice and humility, our world’s wisdom often celebrates power, wealth, and self-reliance. However, following this advice has led to a society full of competition and loneliness and lacking in compassion. Forgive us when we are tempted by power, or respect the powerful more than the weak. Forgive us when we fail to listen to those on the margins. We are grateful that you choose us, regardless of our worldly position, status, or popularity. In your mercy, give us courage to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
Silence
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Hymn 101)
Watts/Mason
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology
LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one. O praise God, Alleluia!
O praise God, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Nadia Grieves
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:8–9
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:18–31
Be Thou My Vision (Hymn 339)
Irish ballad
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Sermon: Wisdom Unkept
Scott Starbuck
Focus: God chooses what the world dismisses to reveal a wisdom grounded in grace rather than power.
Response: It Is Well With My Soul
Bliss/arr. Held
(for Ann)
Jill Cathey, oboe
Pastoral 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Zak Cannard
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
-Genesis 2:15
Sending: Lift High the Cross (Hymn 371)
Kitchin/Nicholson
Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore His sacred name.
Come, Christians, follow where our Savior trod,
The Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. (Refrain)
Each newborn servant of the Crucified
Bears on the brow the seal of Christ who died. (Refrain)
So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory. (Refrain)
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Jubilation on “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Bourgeois/Visser
Helen will be teaching organ to young piano students through our local AGO’s Organ Academy from February through April. The Postludes for the next few Sundays are from the manual we are using, as Helen works her way through its material.
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