Epiphany Of The Lord
WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT
CENTERING MOMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP ~ Alexis Easton, Liturgist
Leader: Light has broken in on the darkness of the world! Can you see it? Can you feel it?
People: May the eyes of our hearts be open.
Leader: There is a star beckoning us to follow.
People: Let’s see where the star leads in worship today.
HYMN ~ “There’s a Song in the Air!” verses 1 & 4
United Methodist Hymnal #249
[Joseph Holland; Karl Harrington]
There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a king.
We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring
and we greet in his cradle our Savior and King.
CHILDREN’S TIME ~ Alan Cook
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE….PASTORAL PRAYER….UNISON PRAYER
Ever patient God, sometimes we live without direction. We are bombarded by news of virus and poverty, famine and genocide, injustice and oppression. Help us to be people of light, shining your light of righteousness, peace, and joy into all the places of our world. Turn our wanderings into a journey of purpose, guided by your star. Let the light break into our lives, as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught his disciples
Our God in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE ~ “Emmanuel”
United Methodist Hymnal #204
[Bob McGee]
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.
SCRIPTURE READING ~ Isaiah 60:1-6 ~ Alexis Easton
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the LORD will arise upon you, and God’s glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart will thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
SCRIPTURE READING ~ Matthew 2:1-12 ~ Alexis Easton
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod secretly called for the magi, and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word that I also may go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another way.
SERMON ~ “Arise, Shine!” ~ Jan Everhart Hartliff
GIFT OF MUSIC ~ “We Three Kings “
[By John Hopkins, 1857 arr by Jason Krug]
Central Bell Ringers: Julie Campero, Laura Dinges, Marc Jantzen, Linda Newhall, Martha Shuemake, Martha Tipton. Director: Rebecca Nelson
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We have seen the light of the world. We have been called to follow the star of promise. Like the magi, let us bring our gifts to honor the babe of Bethlehem and bring light to our community and our world.
OFFERTORY ~ Rebecca Nelson
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND BLESSING OF THE COMMUNION ELEMENTS
We share communion from the safety of our homes, knowing that we are connected by the covenant of our church community and our bonds in Christ.
SHARING THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
Leader: You have given yourself to us, O Lord.
People: Now we give ourselves for others.
Leader: Your love has made us a new people
People: As a people of love we will serve you with joy!
SONG OF SENDING FORTH ~ “Shalom to You”
United Methodist Hymnal #666
[Elise Eslinger; Carlton Young]
Shalom to you now, shalom my friends,
may God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.