The Celebration of the Gospel
Epiphany Sunday
January 4, 2015
Wise men came from the east asking,
“Where is he who was born king of the Jews?
For we have seen his star at its rising and have come to honor him.”
—Matthew 2.1-2
_____ 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
Leader: Star of God, you bless us with your beauty.
All: Light of Christ, you draw us near to God.
Star of wisdom, guide us with your grace.
Light of God, lead us by your love.
* SONG ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Blue hymnal #244
___________ We Attend to the Word___________
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, in the magi’s visit to the Christ child you revealed yourself to the nations. We come to honor you and to give our gifts. Speak to us and reveal yourself to us, that we may go from this place by a new way. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 60. 1-6
[The prophet says, “Rise shine; your light has come.” God’s people will be light for the whole world, and people will come, bearing gifts and honors, praising God.]
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 shall 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.
GOSPEL Matthew 2.1-12
[Magi (Zoroastrian astrologers?) representing the non-Jewish world, follow a star to Jesus. Jesus is revealed (“Epiphany” means revelation) as the light of the world to all the nations, represented by the magi.]
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 Sing We Now of Christmas Blue hymnal # 237 vv. 1, 4, 5
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
PASSING THE PEACE
——————————We Share at Christ’s Table—————————
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
* COMMUNION SONG
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.
So we bring our gifts to honor you, and we come on bended knee,
offering our hearts and living, that to you the glory be.
May your light adorn and guide us, now and in eternity,
evermore and evermore. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL [Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. May we follow your light; may we honor you as our sovereign; may we offer our gifts for you; may we find new roads toward justice despite the rule of greed and power; may we live always in wonder, willingness and compassion, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Blue hymnal #206
* 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
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]