Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 18th, 2026
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
KITCHENER, ONTARIO
N2M 4Z2
247 Westmount Road East Telephone 519-745-6422
Supervising Pastor: Reverend John Rapp
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PRAYER: Holy Spirit, Who revealed Jesus as the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world, as You speak to us through the witness of John grant us ears to hear him, and hearts to trust the One to Whom he points. Through Word and Supper and song make us see our need for forgiveness and the One Who freely forgives, that we may live forever with You and the Father and the Son, Who are one God eternally. Amen.
IN OUR PRAYERS:
- Our king and all his ministers and parliaments in Canada; unrelenting concern for the poor and homeless in our cities; order for the people of Haiti; peace for Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, Israel and Gaza
- The needs of body and soul, especially for Marilyn, Gina, John, and those who care for them; John , Jim, Ray, Ron, Merv (brother of Gerry and Jean) for patient endurance by God’s grace; Pastor Robert Clifford, Connie, in cancer treatment; Heather, Barb, continued healing; Pastor Hamp and family in keeping steadfast in the Lord;
- Christ’s compassion for the anxious and depressed; and God’s peace for families in need of relief Christ’s Church, to be kept faithful to her confession; Timothy our Synod President,Marvin, David, and Robert, our Regional Pastors, Andre, our Circuit Counsellor; our Lutheran churches in Ukraine and in Russia, for long suffering in their tribulations; our churches in Haiti and Nicaragua, and our fellowship with them; Rev. Rochom Binh (Rock-om) who serves as a missionary pastor for the Jarai community in his village in Ratanakiri
LAST WEEK –
ATTENDANCE: 86
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 14
STEWARDSHIP
| Weekly Goal | Last Sunday | Goal To Date | Rec’d To Date | |
| CURRENT | $4814 | $7811 | $9628 | $13096 |
| MISSIONS | $650 | $275 | $1300 | $1045 |
| BUILDING | $606 | $585 | $1212 | $1305 |
CURRENT: AA Village Group $100
OTHER: Rancheria Nutrition $50
THE LUTHERAN HOUR weekly message of inspiration and hope will be broadcast on CKWR 98.5 FM on Sunday at 9am. You can listen on-line at www.lutheranhour.org. “Outstanding Universal Value” Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler. The Christian faith has the power to make us act better. But that’s not the goal. 1 Corinthians 1:18-19
WOMAN TO WOMAN
May be downloaded at womantowomanradio.com
ISSUES ETC. EXPERT GUESTS, EXPANSIVE TOPICS, EXTOLLING CHRIST… Issues, Etc. is a podcast and radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. Recent subjects include: The Return of the Jewish Question; Fact-Checking Sermons; Strengthening the Hyde Amendment; Jesus as Prophet, Priest & King; Luther’s Large Catechism and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.
THIS WEEK AT FAITH
| Tuesday: | 1pm Bible Study |
| Thursday: | 6:30pm Catechesis |
| Friday: | 7:00-9:00pm Circuit Youth |
| Sunday: | 12:15pm Sunday School 1:30pm Divine Service |
Due to more people in attendance at one worship service, it is VERY IMPORTANT TO REFRAIN FROM WEARING FRAGRANCES. Let’s think kindly towards each other who worship with us and voluntarily abide by this simple request. This aligns with many workplaces where this is mandatory.
Circuit Youth, Friday, January 23, 2026 from 7:00-9:00 pm: All youth Grades 6-12 are invited to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 78 John St. W., Waterloo for an evening of winter fun. Arrive dressed in winter wear for some outdoor games. Bring along a pair of indoor shoes as we will warm up with hot chocolate, fellowship and Bible study. Please RSVP to Vicar Behl at jbehl@concordia-seminary.ca.
Historic St. Paul’s Christmas Cantata 2026.
Mark your calendars for Friday December 4, 7pm for the 2026 Historic St. Paul’s Cantata at the Centre in the Square. The title is “There Was Light.” At this time, we are calling for choir members so please keep your eye on the cantata Facebook page for information.
The 2026 Holy Cross Men’s Retreat on January 30th-31st is fast approaching! Speaker Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher’s (Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) topic will be “Law and Gospel for Everyday Life”. The costs for the event, at the Guelph Bible Conference Centre, are $85 for Saturday only or, to stay overnight Friday (including Saturday) $160 for a shared room or $200 for a private room. When submitting an envelope with cash or cheque (Holy Cross Kitchener) or etransfer (donate@holycrosskitchener), please include the memo ‘Men’s Retreat’. Please RSVP by Jan. 22nd to Jennifer Leppek in the Holy Cross office: office@holycrosskitchener.org or 519-742-5212 (Mon. – Fri. 9-5).
Coffee Hour after 1:30 Church Service
Let’s get together for fellowship! Please sign up if you would like to host coffee/drinks and goodies on the first Sunday of the month. Sign-up sheet is in the narthex.
The Flower Calendar is posted in the old narthex. Please fill in your name if you wish to provide flowers on any Sunday (except for Lent) as a memorial for a loved one or to celebrate a special day.
A flower convenor will contact you to finalize details prior to the date that you have reserved. Thank you.
We have a use for gently-used Portals of Prayer and other devotional booklets! If you bring yours back to church and place it in the box beneath the literature table, it will make its way to edify women at a women’s shelter in Hamilton.
We now have Interac e-Transfer set up through our congregation’s bank account. If you wish to make use of this for your offerings to God, then please email Sherrie for the details at: office@faithlutherankw.com
Highlights From the December 7 Voters Meeting
- The 2026 Budget is $315,662.63, with the LCC Mission goal at $33,821. This is an increase of 10.9% or $30,000 increase. Includes a commitment of $24,000 to boost the General Reserve Fund (ideal level is $50,000 or more); and extra funds for furnace maintenance. Pastoral expenses were kept at the 2025 level.
- Lenten funds were disbursed. Advent/Christmas special funds will support the LAMP Team 2026 Fund, Concordia Lutheran Mission Society, and an LCC congregation in need (like the Sudbury area congregations).
- Council will hold a contingency of 2025 yearend funds to cover the church property insurance (2026); books for a children’s library (2025); and the LCC Moving Fund (2026), all of which are due early in 2026. Unused 2025 yearend money will be disbursed at the voters’ discretion later in 2026.
- Committees – The Call Committee has designed a survey. A Gym Committee will paint the gym. An Outside Committee will review the outside of the church and report back about improvements needed including signage, replacing trees and other updates.
- 47 voters were present with 9 guests. One member renewed their voting membership and 7 became voting members.
Changes to special funds in 2026:
- General Reserve Fund will be funded in the 2026 Budget at $2,000 per month.
- Vicarage Fund was closed with remaining funds to be sent to Redeemer LC for vicar support.
- Pastoral Assistance Fund was established to assist our new pastor once he has accepted the call. His moving expenses will be covered in part by the LCC Moving Fund over the next 5 years. Council will decide if and how these funds are offered as assistance.
- LAMP Team 2026 Fund was set up to support Janine Cain and her 2026 team.
- Supporting Funds – You may support the Pastoral Assistance Fund and the LAMP Team 2026 Fund by designating your gift on the “Special” line of your offering envelope or by designating your gift with amount in the message box of your electronic transfer.
If you have any questions, please contact a council member for more details.