Printed Service – Sunday 18th January 2026
Prepared by Rev. Paulson Devasahayam
Why Am I Here? Why Is He Here?
Call to worship: Blessed are those who put their trust in the Lord. No one is like our Almighty God. So today, with thankful hearts, let us come to the Lord. Let us trust Him, praise Him, and worship Him together. Amen.
Hymn StF 48 Indescribable
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From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creations revealing Your majesty
From the colours of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable
You place the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who sees lightning bolts
And tells them where they should go
Or sees heavenly store houses laden in snow
Who imagined the sun and gave source to it’s light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable …..
Prayers:
Ever-living and ever-revealing God, we worship you and we glorify your holy name. Thank you for showing your great love by giving us your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, you have spoken to your people in many ways to our ancestors long ago, and also to us today through Scripture, through your servants, and through your Holy Spirit.
We praise you because you have placed each one of us in different homes, different workplaces, and different situations, so that we can show your love and compassion to others.
But Lord, as we stand before you, we also confess our weakness. Many times we have failed. We have allowed pride to rise in our hearts. We have become lazy and careless. We have not done justice to our calling. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we did not see you in the people you sent, in the moments you gave, and in the opportunities you opened for us to serve you.
Have mercy on us, O God and renew our hearts. Open our eyes to see you, and strengthen our hands to do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hymn StF 233 When Jesus came to Jordan
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When Jesus came to Jordan
to be baptized by John,
he did not come for pardon,
but as his Father’s Son.
He came to share repentance
with all who mourn their sins,
to speak the vital sentence
with which good news begins.
He came to share temptation,
our utmost woe and loss,
for us and our salvation
to die upon the cross.
So when the Dove descended
on him the Son of Man,
the hidden years had ended,
the age of grace began.
Come, Holy Spirit aid us
to keep the vows we make,
this very day invade us
and every bondage break.
Come give our lives direction,
the gift we covet most;
to share the resurrection
that leads to Pentecost.
Scripture for today: John 1: 29-34
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
Reflection : Why Am I Here? Why Is He Here?
In this modern world, gender reveal becomes part of families, and it becomes a great event of celebration and joy. Everyone wants to know: Is it a boy or a girl? The “reveal” becomes a special moment.
During this time of Epiphany, we are thinking more about how God revealed Himself through Jesus Christ.
In the Christmas story, we saw the baby Jesus born in Bethlehem. But Epiphany reminds us that this child did not come only to be admired, his mission and purpose were meant to be shown clearly.
John the Baptist, the prophet in the wilderness, points people to Jesus. Through John’s message and witness, Jesus is revealed openly to everyone. It was a public revelation. This public revealing is clearly seen in the Bible reading I have chosen for today’s reflection, from John 1:29–34. And the key verse is when John the Baptist says:
“I came baptising with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Two thoughts for our reflection.
Firstly, John the Baptist is proclaiming, “Why am I here?” He says the purpose of his action. It is a real conviction. He is not confused. He is not trying to impress anyone. He knows why he is doing what he is doing. “I came baptising with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” May be in a simple way this Bible reading is asking us to think and reflect, What about me? What am I doing? Why am I here?
Let us continue to explore, in this New Year, our purpose in the place where God has put us—in our home, workplace, church, and community. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:11 that we are not placed in this world without purpose. God has a plan. God has intention. Our life is not an accident.
Andrei Bitov was a Russian novelist, who grew up in an atheistic Communist regime. But one day, while travelling on the metro in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), he felt a deep despair. He said life felt like it had stopped, and nothing had meaning. Then suddenly, a phrase came into his mind: “Without God life makes no sense.” He kept repeating it in shock. He described it like riding a moving staircase, coming out of the metro, and “walking into God’s light.”
Let us continue to explore this question in the New Year: “Why am I here?”
Secondly, we see John the Baptist is proclaiming why Jesus is here. When we look at the lives of Jesus and John, we see something beautiful: they never contradict each other. They always complement each other. John prepares the way; Jesus is the Way. There is no tone of jealousy, competition, or neglect, but only humility and faithfulness.
At the same time, John is honest about his own journey. He says, “I myself did not know him” (John 1:33). This shows there was a struggle, a waiting, and a learning process in his life. John did not fully understand who Jesus is until Jesus was baptised and the Spirit was revealed. John makes it clear that this conviction did not come from his own intelligence. It came from God. He says, “The one who sent me to baptise with water said to me…” (verse 33). John is acknowledging the same source behind both callings. Same God. Same purpose. Same divine plan.
Dear friends, many times we fail to see the purpose of others, why they are here, what God is doing through them, and what role they have in our life. There are people all around us: in our families, among our friends, in our workplaces, in the church, and in the wider community. Sometimes we misunderstand them. Sometimes we judge too quickly. Sometimes we ignore their gifts and calling.
But when we walk closely with God, and when we are faithful to our own calling, God can also open our eyes to see others with new understanding. We may begin to see their strengths, their struggles, and their God-given purpose.
And as we are celebrating Christian Unity this week, this is also a message for us. Unity does not mean we all have to be the same. It means we recognise that we belong to the same Lord, and we are part of the same body of Christ. Different churches and traditions may do things differently, but the same Spirit is working, and the same Jesus is being revealed.
So instead of jealousy or competition, we can learn to encourage, support, and bless one another.
Let us see the signs of God’s presence in a broken world, in people, in communities, and even in places where we least expect. Dear friends, as we journey through Epiphany, let us ask God to reveal Jesus to us again and again. Let us be clear about our own calling and learn to recognise and respect the calling of others around us. Amen
Hymn StF 658 A charge to keep I have
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A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
to do my Master’s will!
Arm me with watchful care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.
Prayer of Intercession:
Lord, we come to you in prayer, trusting in your love and mercy.
Lord, we pray for the leaders and ministry of the church
Lord, we pray for the leaders of the nations
Lord, we pray for our world.
Lord, we pray for our community.
Lord, we pray for those who are unwell or struggling.
Lord, we pray for those who are grieving.
Lord, we pray for our personal needs
Lord, help each one of us to be faithful to our calling, like John the Baptist, so that our lives may point to Jesus, the Lamb of God. We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn StF 663- I, the Lord of sea and sky
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I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them
whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me;
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them;
they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My Word to them
whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them;
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?
A sending out prayer
As we go out into the world, may we see more of who God is.
Open our eyes to see you in everyday life, and give us courage to do our calling faithfully.Make our words kind, our actions gentle, and our lives a witness to Jesus.
Keep us safe, guide our steps, and use us for your glory. Amen