THE CELEBRATION OF THE GOSPEL

January 3, 2016 —Epiphany Sunday
Epiphany means “revealing.” The magi, or “wise men,” represent people of other nations and religions—in other words, the world. When they visited Jesus he was revealed to the world.

“We have seen his star, and we have come to honor him.”
— Matthew 2.2

8:15 Service
______ We Gather as the Body of Christ________

GREETING
PRELUDE

[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]

* CALL TO WORSHIP     from Isaiah 60.1-6
[God promises that the chosen people will be rescued from exile, that they will be honored and given gifts, and that the light of God will shine in them so that they are a light to other people as well.]

Leader: Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon you.
All:    For darkness covers the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but God arises upon us,
and God’s glory appears among us.
Nations shall come to your light,
and leaders to the brightness of your dawn.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of God.
With them we offer our gifts, and praise God!

* SONG   Sing We Now of Christmas   Blue hymnal # 237 vv. 1, 4, 5

__________ We Attend to the Word___________

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Pastor:   The grace of God is with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
God of love, help us to see ourselves with the eyes of love,
to see all that is in us that is loving,
and all that is not loving.
By the grace you show us in Christ,
receive us, forgive us, heal us, and perfect your love in us.
SILENT PRAYER …   THE WORD OF GRACE
RESPONSE   In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful Black hymnal #2195

PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of love, your star led the magi to the Christ child. May the light of your Word lead us to you now, and lead us in all our living, by the grace of your Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL Matthew 2.1-12
[Magi (Zoroastrian astrologers, we might imagine) follow a star to find the Christ child and honor him.]

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 Messiah 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 so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that 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 road.
+

SERMON

SONG   ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Blue hymnal # 244

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
RESPONSE: This is my prayer. All: This is our prayer.

THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE

______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____

OFFERING OUR GIFTS

* OFFERING SONG I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Blue hymnal #206 v. 1

* PRAYER   A Covenant prayer Blue hymnal # 607

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD

* SONG   When Christmas Morn Is Dawning Blue hymnal #232

* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your neighbors:
My friends, may the star over Bethlehem’s skies
now give you God’s peace, make you gentle and wise,
and lead you, as though by a light from above:
the light of dear Christ in you, shining with love.
POSTLUDE