Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 1, 2026 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
To Infinity and Beyond! - Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…” Ephesians 3:20.
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | arr. Kraus
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Opening Statement
O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right and speak the truth from their heart;
those who do not slander with their tongue and do no evil to their friends nor heap shame upon their neighbors.
In whose eyes the wicked are despised but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt.
Who do not lend money at interest and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
*Hymn of Praise Fairest Lord Jesus
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
Gracious and merciful God, we confess that we often seek direction without first seeking You. We confess that we rush ahead when You call us to walk humbly and we hesitate when You call us to act with justice and mercy. Forgive us for the ways we have trusted our own understanding more than Your faithful guidance. Shape us again by Your grace. Teach us to love kindness, to do justice, and to walk humbly with You. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who meets us with mercy and truth. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and made new.
Thanks be to God.
The Law of God
Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that the greatest commandment is this: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
*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.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
We Listen to God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination
Open our ears to hear what we might rather not hear. Open our eyes to see what we might prefer not to see. Open our hearts to be moved as you are moved. By your Holy Spirit, help us recognize your voice in these Scriptures— the voice that does not turn away from distress, but enters into it. Speak to us now. Change us by what we hear. Through Christ, the Word made flesh, who fled as a refugee and calls us to follow. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Micah 6:1-8
*Hymn Lord You Have Come to the Lakeshore
Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon: “From Discernment to Direction” | Rev. Poyner
*Affirmation of Faith (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*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. Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn Help Us Accept Each Other
Benediction
Postlude Tell It to Jesus | arr. McDonald
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED