Gathering

Silent Prayer of Preparation

God of all nations and peoples:  we have seen the star of your glory rising in splendor.  Grant that his brightness may illumine our lives, as well as the lives of people everywhere, beckoning all humanity to walk in your light; through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh.  Amen.   

Chimes and Organ Prelude         “We Three Kings”

* Gathering Song     Blue Hymnal #41     “O Come, All Ye Faithful”      adeste fideles

Choir and congregation join in singing verse one:

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem!

Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

* Greeting One Another, Welcome and Concerns of the Church

Choral Introit

Call to Worship

Let us worship God.  Arise, shine; for your light has come,

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.   

Nations shall come to his light,

And kings to the brightness of his rising.  [Isaiah 60:1-3]

* Hymn Blue Hymnal #66  [all vv.] “We Three Kings of Orient Are” three kings of orient

As the hymn is sung, those representing the three kings present themselves at the chancel.

* Litany for Epiphany [Please remain standing as able.]

Let us pray.  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God, Alleluia!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, Alleluia!

With joy let us pray to our Savior, whose light shines from his cradle to enlighten the world:

O Christ, light made manifest as the true light of God:  gladden our hearts by your Spirit on this joyful morning of your glory, and the beginning of a new year.  Call us by name on the great Day of your coming-again.  And give us grace to offer – with wise men and women of all ages and all the host of heaven – unending praise to God, in whom all things find their ending, as well as their beginning, now and forevermore.  Amen. 

* Response  Blue Hymnal #66  [v.5 only]    “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

Glo-rious now be-hold Him a-rise, King and God and Sac-ri-fice;

Al-le-lu-ia, Al-le-lu-ia  Sounds through the earth and skies.

O star of won-der, star of night, Star with roy-al beau-ty bright;

West-ward lead-ing, still pro-ceed-ing, Guide us to thy per-fect light!

 

The Word

Prayer for Illumination

First Scripture Reading                   Isaiah 60:1-6                                  Pew Bible, p. 602

The Word of the Lord  { Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel                                               Matthew 2:1-12                               Pew Bible, p. 783

The Gospel of the Lord. { Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Children’s Moment                                                                          Bernie Caldwell, DCE

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world:  red and yellow, black and white,

they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Children are dismissed for Children’s Church and will return during the Communion Hymn.

 

Sermon                                         “Another Road Home”              The Rev. Tom Heinlein

The Eucharist

    Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Call for the Offering and Prayer of Dedication

Offertory Anthem      “In This Place”    music by Don Besig            Chancel Choir

 Invitation to the Lord’s Table

     Blue Hymnal #505             “Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread”            ST. FLAVIAN

Great Thanksgiving and Lord’s Prayer                

The Lord be with you. ? And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. ? We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. ? It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The minister continues with the prayer, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer, offered in unison.

Our Father, who art in heaven…. [See Blue Hymnal p.16] & Choral Response

Breaking of the Bread

Choral Response        “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”      [vv. 1,4]             picardy

Communion of the People

All baptized persons are welcome to commune, including baptized children.

Today we receive Communion by intinction – coming forward down the center aisle, taking a piece of bread, then going left or right to a cup-server, dipping the bread in the cup and partaking.  After partaking, please return to your pew via the side aisles.

Prayer after Communion   

Eternal God, by the light of a star you led wise men to behold your Son.  Thank you for this sacrament that illumines his presence for us today.  Increase his presence and his light within us daily, as we reflect on the mysteries of bread and wine, and Word made flesh.  In his glorious name we pray.  Amen.

Sending

    * Blue Hymnal #63                    “As with Gladness Men of Old”                                  DIX

    * Pastoral Blessing and Choral Response

Organ Postlude                      “The March of the Kings”            Yvonne Barnes, Organist

 

Today’s Liturgical Color

The liturgical color for Epiphany is white – the color reserved for occasions of highest celebration in the church.  Its use reminds us of the white garments said to be worn by the redeemed in heaven. 

 

Today’s Liturgist:  Chris McAnlis

Three Kings

Dick Hamilton, Ben Long and John McAnlis