Worship

PSALM OF PRAISE

(Psalm 145:1-7)

As we enter 2026, it is important that we anchor ourselves on a firm spiritual foundation for the journey ahead. This year, GCF York will place a special focus on “passing the faith to every generation”. Today, we will be drawing wisdom from the Psalms as we explore how faith is transmitted from one life to another. As we begin this new season, may our hearts be freshly awakened to the mighty acts of God—remembering His faithfulness in the past, recognizing His work in the present, and trusting His hand as we move forward together.

I. Personal Commitment to Worship (vv. 1-3)

David models a heart that exalts God continually (every day) because God’s greatness is beyond measure and worthy of unending praise. Personal worship is not occasional or emotional; it is a deliberate choice to bless God, honour His name, and respond to His incomparable greatness with consistent devotion.

II. Passing to the Coming Generation His Wonders (vv. 4-5)

The passage teaches that faith is meant to be transmitted, not merely experienced. One generation is called to tell the next about God’s mighty acts—His power, His works, and His wonders. This passing on is intentional: we speak of His greatness, meditate on His majesty, and proclaim His awesome deeds so the next generation can know, trust, and worship the same faithful God.

III. Placing our Confidence on His Works (v. 7)

Ultimately, this passage calls God’s people to anchor their confidence in the unchanging goodness and righteousness of God. The verse highlights that when we remember and speak of God’s abundant goodness, our faith is strengthened and our trust deepens. Confidence grows not from our circumstances, but from recalling who God is and what He has done.

GOD’S GLORY FOR EVERY GENERATION

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

            Today, we reintroduce the church 2026 theme: “Faith for Every Generation: Passing on God’s Promises & Power” from the NT, focusing on God’s glory for every generation (as we introduced loving God for every generation last Sunday). Loving God & God’s glory are closely linked: when we love God, we glorify God. In Eph. 3:20-21, the generational legacy is expressed in the words “to all generations.” Using this passage, how do we do we experience God’s glory for every generation?

I. KNOW THE GOD OF GLORY (3:20)

In light of the excitement of “being filled to the measure of al the fulness of God” (3:19), Paul bursts into doxology (literally, “words of glory”) to God, presenting God as glorious (1:6, 12, 14, 17, 18; 3;13). “Glory” refers to God’s magnificent worth, presence & power, character as seen in radiant splendor, ultimate honor, perfection, & majesty. God’s glory leads Paul to describe God as “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (3:20a). The words “immeasurably more” (literally, “out of what is excessively beyond) emphasize something superabundantly far above the greatest abundance. God can top anything we can ask (in prayers of Eph. 1:17-19; 3:14-19) or imagine (like spiritual blessings in 1:3-14; personal transformation in 2:1-10, & one new humanity of Jews & Gentiles). We can experience this reality of God because God’s power at work within us (3:20b). Let’s know & experience God’s glory.

II. GIVE GOD GLORY (3:21)

Knowing the glory of God results in giving God glory: “to him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus” (3:21a). The church is God’s vehicle to reveal Christ in practice & to show God’s glory together. To glorify God is to acknowledge God’s magnificent worth, to show His honor by praising Him & doing good works that reflect the goodness, worth, & power of God. What Paul prayed for in 3:16-19 are true of us as a church, but we need to experience them (first by praying of them to be evident in our lives) together. Let’s pray for these things as a church (like Paul did) & let’s complete God’s purpose for us (like Jesus did [Jn.17:4). Let’s give God glory together.

LOVING GOD FOR EVERY GENERATION

(Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Happy New Year! We open this 1^st Sunday of the year with our 2026 theme: “Faith for Every Generation: Passing on God’s Promises & Power.” We begin with what the Jews call the Shema (“hear”) in Deut. 6:4-9, which instructs us to love God for every generation. Using the Shema, how do we do this together?

I. LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR BEING (6:4-6)

The solid foundation of all relationships is God: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (6:4). This affirmation tells us that our God is one of a kind or absolutely unique who is God for all (Zech. 14:9). Our one God (to whom we submit) demands one love from all who are called to love God with our all: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart (core of our being, including understanding, emotion, & will) & with all your soul (life force & life source, breath) & with all your strength” (6:5) The best expression of our strong relationship with God is love. This love transforms us to hear & heed (i.e., to obey God & His Word, which “are to be on your hearts” [6:6; see Deut. 5:29, 32-33; 6:3]). If we love God, we obey God & His Word (Jn. 14:12). In 2026, let’s love God with all our being by obeying Him & His Word.

II. INFLUENCE OTHERS IN ALL OF LIFE (6:7-9)

Loving God for every generation happens when we influence others (beginning with our family) to also love God in all of life: “Impress them on your children” (6:7a). To impress means to repeat or engrave. We are called to repeat God Word to others, so that God’s Word is engraved in their minds & hearts. We accomplish this by doing 2 things constantly: (1) privately talking to our family about God’s Word in all of our daily life: “Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up” (6:7); & (2) publicly making God’s Word known wherever we go: “Tie them as symbols on your hands & bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses & on your gates” (6:8-9) God’s Word affects our actions (what we do with our hands), what we look at (“on your foreheads”), what we do at home (“doorframes of your houses”), & wherever we go (“on your gates”). We are examples for others to follow; then we teach them to follow (Deut. 5:31; 6:1). In 2026, let’s influence others in all of life as we talk about God’s Word & walk according to it.