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Opening Prayer Janet Sockwell
O Lord our God, your glory shines as far as the east is from the west, from the north to the south, so that all people may see and be radiant, so that every heart might thrill and rejoice. Overwhelm us with the joy of your presence. May we enter your house and pay homage to him whose infant arms were already reaching out to the ends of the earth that all might be gathered in. In your blessed name, we pray. Amen.
Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Unison)
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
The brightness of God’s light shines upon all the nations. All are welcomed to the brightness of God’s dawn.
God gathers us from far away and carries us. With radiant eyes, with rejoicing hearts,
we receive the abundance God gives.
We respond in praise. With our gifts, with our very selves, we worship God.
*Hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful #20
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison)
God of this new morning, you have awakened us to the brightness of your dawn. We begin this day in gratitude, recalling your mercies through the night, anticipating glimpses of your glory in the hours ahead. Make our face shine today with the joy of your grace, so that another is helped to see your presence and find hope. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*Passing of the Peace
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
*Congregational Response In My Life #468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today,
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
Prayer for Illumination Janet Sockwell
O God of wonder, as that ancient star rose and guided the magi, illuminating the place where Jesus was, so now may the light of your Holy Spirit shine in our hearts and minds as the Word is read and proclaimed. Guide us again to Christ, and direct us in new paths of faithfulness. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 60:1-6 Janet Sockwell
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 his 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.
Word in Music Christopher Bunch
Installation of elder Peggy Kollmann
Gospel Reading Matthew 2:1-12 Rev. Jeff Sockwell
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men 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 wise men 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 Rev. Jeff Sockwell
*Hymn God of Great and God of Small #20
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) a portion of the Confession of Belhar
We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ. We believe that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
We believe that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker. We believe that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Prayers of the People / Lord’s Prayer
We pray in the name of the One who showed us the way of love, and taught us to pray saying…
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
All creation teems with the abundance of God’s provision: mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, creeping things and flying birds! Our own lives bear witness to the abundance of God’s love and mercy, for God has lifted us up and carried us in our need. In joyful praise, we offer to God a portion of all we have received.
Offering
Offertory
*Doxology #606
Prayer Of Dedication
In this gifting season, O God, we are grateful for the gift of your dear Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Receive, we pray, these offerings we bring. May they be used in the service of your grace and truth dwelling among us. In Christ’s holy name we pray. Amen.
*Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth #14
*Blessing
May the love of God uphold you; the light of Christ guide you; and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit fill you with joy, now and forever.
Postlude Christopher Bunch