January 6, 2019 —Epiphany Sunday
Magi came, asking, “Where is the child?”
— Matthew 2.1,2
________We Gather as the Body of Christ______
GREETING
PRELUDE ‘Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime — Traditional French Carol, arr: Nicholas Palmer
[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.
You may light a votive candle in prayer
any time during the prelude, hymns, offering, Peace, communion or postlude.]
* 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 shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but God will arise upon you,
and God’s glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to our light,
and leaders to the brightness of our dawn.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
Rulers shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of God.
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* SONG Sing We Now of Christmas Blue hymnal # 237, v. 1,3,5
_____________We Attend to the Word_________
PRAYER
God of light, your glory shines throughout the world; help us to see it, and to seek you in it. The star of your guidance leads us; help us to discern wisely and to follow. The gifts you give us gleam in our hands and our hearts; grant us courage and generosity to give them. God of light, shine for us and in us. Speak your Word, and we will listen, and follow. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT Ephesians 3.5-6
[Paul says that the “mystery of Christ” has been revealed to us, and through us to the whole world.]
In ages past people were not aware of the mystery of Christ. But now the Spirit has made it clear, through God’s apostles and prophets. Those who have believed and those who have not are both included in God’s grace; both are members of the same family. The good news is that everyone in the whole world shares equally in the promise of Christ.
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GOSPEL Matthew 2.1-12
[The visit of Magi to the young Jesus. 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.]
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 honor him.”
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 honor him.”
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 honored him. 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.
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SERMON Keep searching, magi
SONG I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Blue hymnal # 206
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer at the microphone.]
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
___________We Share at Christ’s Table _________
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light – Johan Schop, harmonized: J. S. Bach
* COMMUNION SONG
God, we bring our gifts and embrace all you give us by your grace,
loving, healing, Christ revealing, for all the human race.
O, God of mercy, God of might, God whose love is shining bright,
you have freed us; now you feed us as one family in love’s light.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Beloved, God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy One, God whose love is bright as the sun,
all Creation shouts your praise! Hosanna we sing on high!
O, Blessed is the one who comes in your name, O Holy One.
Praise! Hosanna in the highest! Peace on earth, good will to all.
Memorial Acclamation
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
Christ will come again in glory, leading us all to life.
O, God of mercy, God of light, God whose love in us burns bright,
lead us, guide us, walk beside us, fill us with your gentle light.
Great Amen
Amen! Your will be done. Amen, O Holy One.
Make us now the living Body of Christ, our Lord, your Son.
O, praise be yours, and glory be all throughout eternity!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks and praise we sing to thee.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy 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.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
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. You reveal yourself in love and beauty. You have filled us with your grace. Now send us out, following the star of your mercy, to shine with your love as a sign of your presence for all the world, in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG— ‘Twas In the Moon of Wintertime Blue hymnal #244
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE— Go Tell It On The Mountain Traditional, arr: Mark Hayes
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]