prepared by Ros Hancock – 18th January 2026
Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship.
Come, just as you are before your God, come.
Opening prayers:
Here I am, stepping out of the kingdom of comfort, and into the kingdom of heaven,
leaving behind productivity and busy-ness, entering a place of stillness and be-ing.
We are only human and sometimes we can be blinkered, too scared to shine, live a life hiding so much of ourselves, feeling unworthy…
BUT, we are told… You are worthy… You are loved… Your name is written on my hand,
Every hair on your head counted, I love you. You were made to shine.
So, today, I give thanks for your love, for this world, for those I love and who love me.
In giving thanks, may I also say yes, I will follow, I will shine light and love into this world.
Come, God of all grace, and show me how to tune my heart to your rhythm.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer. – Our father, who art in heaven ………..
STF 570
1 As we gather, Father, seal us
in the love that knows no fear.
Draw us, heal us, reconcile us,
may there be a place of refuge here.
Who share one living bread,
one Father’s love,
one Saviour’s grace,
one Spirit’s breath;
one holy communion.
2 No more outcasts, no more strangers,
all dividing walls are down.
Here is love that redefines us,
dignifies the least and lowest one.
3 Source of joy, belonging, friendship,
form your family likeness here.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that the world may know our God is near.
Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
Reading: 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! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).”
Hymn: STF 662
Have you heard God’s voice; has your heart been stirred?
Are you still prepared to follow?
Have you made a choice to remain and serve,
though the way be rough and narrow?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the pain and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
2 Will you use your voice; will you not sit down
when the multitudes are silent?
Will you make a choice to stand your ground
when the crowds are turning violent?
3 In your city streets will you be God’s heart?
Will you listen to the voiceless?
Will you stop and eat, and when friendships start,
will you share your faith with the faithless?
4 Will you watch the news with the eyes of faith
and believe it could be different?
Will you share your views using words of grace?
Will you leave a thoughtful imprint?
We will walk the path that will cost us much
and embrace the pain and sorrow.
We will trust in One who entrusts to us
the disciples of tomorrow.
Jacqueline G. Jones
Reflection:
When John the Baptist sees Jesus walking by, he doesn’t keep it to himself. He says:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
And a moment later, two of his disciples, curious, perhaps uncertain, begin to follow Jesus.
Jesus turns, sees them trailing behind, and asks a simple but profound question:
“What are you looking for?”
It’s a question that echoes across centuries.
What are you looking for?
Peace? Purpose? Healing? Justice? Belonging?
The disciples respond not with a direct answer, but with a question of their own: “Rabbi,
where are you staying?” And Jesus replies with an invitation that is still extended to us
today:
“Come and see.”
Not ‘come and believe’ or ‘come and agree’, but ‘come and see.’
Discipleship begins not with certainty, but with curiosity. It begins not with doctrine, but with
encounter. For liberal, open-hearted Christians, this is both freeing and challenging: it
means we are invited to follow Jesus not because we have all the answers, but because
we are willing to walk the path.
In this story, discipleship looks like paying attention. Like asking honest questions. Like
staying close enough to see where Jesus dwells, and being changed by the journey.
And perhaps just as beautifully, it doesn’t end with us. Andrew, one of those first two
disciples, immediately goes and finds his brother Simon Peter and says, “We have found
the Messiah.” He brings someone else along for the journey: because grace isn’t
something we hoard; it’s something we share.
So, as you reflect on this passage, consider:
- What are you really seeking in your walk with God?
- Where might Jesus be saying to you, “Come and see”?
- Who in your life needs to be invited into a deeper, more compassionate kind of faith
– not with pressure, but with presence?
This is how the movement begins: one person points, another follows, and slowly, a
community forms – not of people who have it all figured out, but of people who are willing
to walk, to ask, to stay, and to see.
May we have the courage to follow our questions, the openness to see God in new places,
and the love to invite others along the way.
Amen
Prayers of intercession:
We come before you in prayer this morning with so many concerns Lord – concerns for the world, for the church, for our communities and for our friends and families. We know Lord that you love to hear our prayers, and to know that we care, so listen to our words, both those spoken and within our hearts and help us to know how to be a help to those we pray for….
God who loves to speak to his people – Help us to listen and do your will.
We pray for this world – created in beauty by you and spoiled by our selfish actions; created in peace and spoiled by our violence and aggression; created with enough for everyone and spoilt by our greed. Show us how to reverse the damage, to heal the land and to share more justly with each other. We pray for those suffering, due to extreme weather and climate change, war ,or unjust or extremist regimes or discrimination.
God who loves to speak to his people – Help us to listen and do your will.
We pray for our churches Lord. The worldwide church and our own churches and circuit. Show us how to serve the people around us – to share your love and to bring people into your kingdom. Where we have lost our way – putting tradition, religious dogma and liturgy before love show us the way back. We pray for the safety those who are at risk of discrimination, violence or death because of their faith. Keep them safe and strong Lord and help us to learn from their commitment.
God who loves to speak to his people – Help us to listen and do your will.
We remember our own country and local communities here. Guide our government and local authorities to put people before politics and compassion before power. Help those in power to have your servant heart, and to remember that the power they hold is to serve and should not be abused for personal gain.
God who loves to speak to his people – Help us to listen and do your will.
Finally, Lord, we pray for all those we know and love – our friends and families. ……
In a short time of silence we bring to mind all those who we know personally who particularly need our prayers……..
God who loves to speak to his people – Help us to listen and do your will.
Amen
Hymn:
STF 367
When I was lost, you came and rescued me;
reached down into the pit and lifted me.
O Lord, such love,
I was as far from you as I could be.
You know all the things I’ve ever done,
but Jesus’ blood has cancelled every one.
O Lord, such grace
to qualify me as your own.
There is a new song in my mouth,
there is a deep cry in my heart,
a hymn of praise to Almighty God — hallelujah!
And now I stand firm on this Rock,
my life is hidden now with Christ in God.
The old has gone and the new has come — hallelujah!
Your love has lifted me.
2 Now I have come into your family
for the Son of God has died for me.
O Lord, such peace,
I am as loved by you as I could be.
In the full assurance of your love,
now with every confidence we come.
O Lord, such joy
to know that you delight in us.
Refrain
Kate Simmonds and Miles Simmonds
Blessing
Holy God,
As I conclude this time of worship,
Your Spirit remains with me, surrounding me with your love and care.
Ignite in me a desire to follow in your way,
I pray, O God,
Amen.
