Bread and More Soup Kitchen continues to serve a free to-go meal every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:15.
January 2026
Happy New Year
Thrift Shop: We will be closed the month of January to clean and restock. Please save your donations till February. Thank you for your support.
Sunday School: Please call our church office at 631-727-2621 if you would like your child to join. Sunday School is held during church services at 10:00.
Bible Study: Please join us from
10:00-11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.
If you would like to join us on Zoom , please follow the link
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86897065711?
pwd=a0FZcDg5MnRqKz-JMQXRLVzIBTGZFQT09 to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 850 1493 9172
Passcode: 7272621
Second Sunday after Christmas
Service of Word and Sacrament
January 4, 2026✦ 10am
We open our hearts to the presence of God and worship together.
PRELUDE: A Gothic Prelude Gordon Young
*CHORAL INTROIT:
We are here this day to share God's love.
We have come with burdens and cares,
For within this place, we are bound as one
In this fellowship we share.
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: God has been good to us.
Let us sing our songs of praise.
Many: God brings us together from many places.
Let us celebrate our diversity.
One: Come to hear God’s word for our day.
Listen that you might understand and share it.
Many: God’s commands run swiftly over the earth.
God’s Word comes to us as a mighty wind.
One: Give thanks for the bounty God supplies.
Gain strength from the peace God offers.
ALL: God’s word fills us with radiance.
We are ready to dance with joy.
*HYMN: The First Nowell No. 139
https://youtu.be/0u5UvnKlCTA
WELCOME
PRAYER OF INVOCATION:
All blessing and honor be to you. Holy God, for the wisdom and insight you have offered us in Jesus Christ. Through him, the mystery of your will is becoming clearer to us. You introduce us to life in all its fullness, lived in the light of your grace and truth. Thank you for this holy season. Continue, we pray, to reveal yourself to us in this hour. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
ANNOUNCEMENTS, CELEBRATIONS & CONCERNS
A TIME OF PRAYER:
❖ Pastoral Prayer
…Gracious God, in whose love we are chosen and blessed, let your Word become flesh once more as we embrace the light of Jesus Christ in our walk and in our talk. Strengthen our belief and our testimony, that enlightenment may be available to all your children and fulfillment of your will for us may be realized among all the earth’s people….
❖ Silent Prayer
❖ 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. Lead us not
into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, the glory, now and forever. Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME: 12 Days of Christmas
12-Drummers, 11-Pipers, 10-Lords, 9-Ladies, 8-Maids, 7-Swans
6-Geese, 5-Golden Rings, 4-Calling Birds, 3-French Hens,
2-Turtle Doves and 1-A Partridge in a Pear Tree!
https://youtu.be/1UHmQANFtNs
OFFERING & OFFERTORY ANTHEM:
Blessed by the Bread, Graced by the Wine Mary Kay Bell
*DOXOLOGY AND BLESSING OF GIFTS:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly host:
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
❖ Jeremiah 31:7-14 OT Page 692
❖ Psalm 147:12-20 Hymnal Page 720
❖ Ephesians 1:3-14 NT Page 169
❖ John 1:1-18 NT Page 79
*GLORIA:
Glory to the Creator, the Christ, the Holy Spirit,
Three -in-one; as it was in the beginning
Is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Amen.
SERMON: “Opt for Optimism”
It’s a New Year which is always much celebrated, but for many of us it is always met with a tinge of trepidation. Rather than see it as replete with hope and new possibilities for love and laughter, and improving health and wellbeing, if we allow faith to be attacked by fear and doubt, we can slide into anxiety and concern, as the old saying about our aging echoes in our year. You know the saying… “this growing old stuff ain’t for wimps.” Plus, in a world so filled with uncertainty and challenge, now complete with a new war against Venezuela, it can be easy to drift toward pessimism.
Yet let’s begin with a look over the shoulder at last year’s journeying. Yes, the year saw its challenges, even some uh-oh moments and worse for some, yet we got through it and now are a bit wiser and even stronger because of it all. Although we can point to the problems of the past, we do well to lift up the good, and celebrate the victories and joy that the year brought our way. With thanks to God, we’re here and equipped to continue on with Christ, with hope and optimism—an optimism rooted not in wishful thinking, but in the promises of God. And today we can draw inspiration from three profound passages which reveal why and how we can opt for optimism, even when circumstances tempt us otherwise.
Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, a nation that has lost its home, its confidence, and, seemingly, its future. Yet, God declares through Jeremiah, “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations… I will gather them from the ends of the earth” (Jeremiah 31:7-8). The message is clear: restoration is coming. God promises that sorrow will turn to joy, mourning to gladness, and that there will be abundance once again.
This passage teaches us that optimism is not ignorance of reality, but trust that God is at work even in the darkest times. The exiles are called to sing and rejoice—not because their problems have vanished, but because God’s faithfulness assures them that a better day is coming. They, as we are, were called to believe. They, as we are, would also be tested by patience as we’re called to wait with certain hope.
This reassurance reminds us that optimism is an act of faith, not denial. When we cling to God’s promises, we become agents of hope—both for ourselves and for those around us. By choosing to believe in God’s redemptive plan, we find strength to persevere and courage to face the future with expectation.
Our Gospel lesson from John 1:1-18 has long been a favorite of mine. It’s often summarized as, “The Light Shining in Darkness.” In a wonderfully poetic way, John presents the very beginning of all creation. It starts with the Word of God, and with the Word, is life and light. And despite the darkness, the light continues and with it comes “grace upon grace.”
It's not simply a positive outlook, but a response to the reality that God has entered our world, bringing the goodness, the grace, we need. Because Jesus is with us, we are never alone in our struggles, and we can move forward with confidence, knowing that God’s light guides our path.
Even when we feel broken or overwhelmed, God’s promise to restore and renew gives us a solid foundation for hope. We are invited to lift our eyes above our present troubles and trust that God’s loving purposes will prevail. This does not dismiss our pain, but it assures us that our story is not finished and that God is present in every chapter.
As we reflect further, Ephesians 1:3-14 reminds us that our hope is not only for restoration in difficult times, but is also always anchored in the boundless grace God has lavished upon us through Christ. We are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in Christ,” chosen before the foundation of the world, and destined for adoption as God’s children. This assurance is not merely theoretical—it shapes our identity and infuses our daily walk with confidence and gratitude. Because we are redeemed, forgiven, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to see beyond present hardships. Instead of succumbing to despair, we can celebrate God’s ongoing work in our lives and anticipate the fulfillment of holy promises. In this way, optimism becomes our faithful response to God’s unwavering love—a hope that does not disappoint, but draws others into the light of Christ’s grace and truth.
In light of these scriptural insights, how can we practically opt for optimism in our everyday lives? Here are a few ways to put this faith-filled outlook into action:
By weaving these practices into our routines, we don’t just hope for optimism—we actively cultivate it, allowing God’s promises to shape our attitude and actions. In doing so, we become beacons of hope, shining light for ourselves and those around us, no matter what the year may bring. Opt for optimism.
OUR ORDER OF COMMUNION
The Invitation and Time of Confession:
❖ Call to Confession
❖ Silent Confession
❖ Unison Prayer of Confession:
Save your people, God of goodness and light. You have
blessed us with the peace of Christmas, but we reject your
gift in our frantic striving. You destine us for adoption,
but we go our own way. You send the Holy Spirit to lead us,
but we block out awareness of your will for us in favor of
our own selfish ambition. Restore to us the ability to discern
and respond to the light you offer, we pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
❖ Words of Assurance
Thanksgiving:
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: We give you thanks, God of majesty and mercy,
for calling forth the creation and raising us from dust
by the breath of your being.
We bless you for the beauty and bounty of the earth and for the vision of the day when sharing by all will mean scarcity for none.
We remember the covenant you made with your people Israel, and we give you thanks for all our ancestors in faith.
We rejoice that you call us to reconciliation with you and all people everywhere and that you remain faithful to your covenant even when we are faithless.
We rejoice that you call the entire human family to this table of sacrifice and victory.
We come in remembrance and celebration of the gift of Jesus Christ, whom you sent, in the fullness of time, to be the good news.
Born of Mary, our sister in faith, Christ lived among us to reveal the mystery of your Word, to suffer and die on the cross for us, to be raised from death on the third day, and then to live in glory.
We bless you, gracious God, for the presence of your Holy Spirit in the church you have gathered. With your sons and daughters of faith in all places and times, we praise you with joy as we say together:
All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory,
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution and Communal Proclamation:
Pastor: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion,
and on the eve of death, Jesus gathered the disciples for a shared meal of preparation.
Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying:
“This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, he took the cup after supper.
Again he gave God thanks and praise and said:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as
often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
All: Christ’s death, O God we proclaim.
Christ’s resurrection we declare.
Christ’s coming, we await.
Glory be to you, O God.
Prayers of Consecration:
Pastor: Eternal God, we unite in this covenant of faith, recalling Christ’s suffering and death, rejoicing in Christ’s resurrection, and awaiting Christ’s return in victory. We spread your table with these gifts of the earth and of our labor. We present to you our very lives, committed to your service on behalf of all people. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine, upon our gifts, and upon us. Strengthen your universal church that it may be the champion of peace and justice in all the world. Restore the earth with your grace that is able to make all things new.
All: Be present with us as we share this meal,
and throughout all our lives, that we may know you as
the Holy One, who with Christ and the Holy Spirit,
lives forever. Amen.
Sharing the Bread and Cup:
Pastor: Allelujah! Christ our Passover is offered for us.
People: Therefore, let us keep the feast.
Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God.
We celebrate the grace of God in our midst.
(Please wait until all have been served and we’ll ingest together)
Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving:
We give you thanks, Almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table through the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Continue to heal us, we pray, and strengthen our faith. Increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; we ask these things in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
*HYMN: This Is a Day of New Beginnings No. 417
https://youtu.be/y630UrAOLPw
*PASTORAL BENEDICTION
CHORAL BENEDICTION:
May the light of God shine on us today.
May the light of God shine on us today.
May it show us where to travel,
Lead us back if we should stray,
May the light of God shine on us today.
POSTLUDE: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729 J.S. Bach
(please remain seated for the postlude)
We're biblical, traditional, yet progressive.
We honor and take pride in our
Congregational roots.
We covenant with one another and with God,
as revealed
in Jesus Christ through the illumination of
the Holy Spirit.
We endeavor to walk humbly with God and
strive for justice and peace.
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.
Isaiah 56.7
We are an open and affirming congregation in which all persons regardless of race, ethnic background, economic status, gender, age, or personal ability, are equally affirmed into membership, leadership and employment
and joyfully welcomed.
Our church office is open for phone calls at 631-727-2621. Pastor Sean will return your calls. Our secretary is in the office Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Our church office is open for phone calls at 631-727-2621. Pastor Sean will return your calls. Our secretary is in the office Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Worship on Sundays at 10:00am.
No matter who you are or where you are in life's journey, you are welcome here.
103 1st Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, United States
Open today | 09:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Our church office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-12:00. Church services are held on Sunday at 10:00am, and coffee hour in the fellowship hall following the worship service. Sunday School will be held at 10:00 am. (To run concurrent with our worship service)
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