FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WAUWATOSA

January 8, 2006

CELEBRATION OF EPIPHANY – BAPTISM OF THE LORD

MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 AND 11:00 A.M.

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Carrie Kreps Wegenast

PRELUDE Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Brahms

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

CALL TO WORSHIP

Minister: The Lord God created us and formed us.

People: We will not fear.

Minister: God redeems us and calls us by name.

People: When we pass through the waters, God is with us.

Minister: God protects us as we wade through the rivers.

People: We will not be overwhelmed.

Minister: God is with us when we walk through fire.

People: We will not be burned.

Minister: God is our savior.

People: We are precious in God’s sight.

Minister: God loves us.

People: We will not fear, for God is with us.

Minister: We are all called by name and made of God’s glory.

People: Glory be to God!

*HYMN 117 Angels, from the Realms of Glory

*CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

*INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the
earth and at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son
and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Lead us, who know you now by faith,

to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face. Grant that all who are
baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess

him as Lord and Savior; who taught us to call upon you 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,

and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 513)

THE REPORT OF OUR MISSION MAZAHUA TEAM

*HYMN 143 We Three Kings of Orient Are

{Children are dismissed to Sunday School during the singing of the hymn.}

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 Duane Coates

Bible, page 639

THE PSALMSODY (responsive) Psalm 72 Hymnal, page 526 no. 85

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 Rev. Samuel Schaal

Bible, page 835

ANTHEM 8:45 This One Star Drennan

11:00 Bethlehem, Of Noblest Cities arr. Willcocks

THE SERMON “Lift Up Your Eyes and Look” Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE CALL TO PRAYER AND SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE

THE CHORAL RESPONSE

THE OFFERTORY

ANTHEM 8:45 He Comes To Us Marshall-Schweitzer

11:00 One Small Star Althouse

*DOXOLOGY (Hymn 515)

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*HYMN 141 The First Nowell

*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

*The congregation is invited to stand, if able.

SERVING January 8, 2006

Head Greeters: Marilyn Auer, David Moore

Head Ushers: Sue Melby, John O’Meara

Ushers: 8:45 a.m. Nick Sgarlata-Captain, Carrie Sgarlata, Scott Rondeau, Steve Houriet, Dermot Kerin

Ushers: 11:00 a.m. John O’Meara-Captain, Denise O’Meara, Neal O’Meara, Paul Schulze

Greeters: 8:45 a.m. Dick and Sandy Buchman

Greeters: 11:00 a.m. David Moore

Acolyte: 8:45 a.m. Jonathan Gray and Morgan Lucey

Acolytes: 11:00 a.m. Sophia Poulos

The Christmas decorations are provided by the Board of Deacons

and through the generous donations of members in honor of or in memory of loved ones.

Worship Preview for Sunday, January 15, 2006 ~ 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.

We begin our series on “Imagining Church” with a sermon by Dr. Peay.

Please plan to be present for the Annual Meeting of the Church at 1:30 PM on that day –

It’s important for all of our members to be present!

Tom Gregory is the organist.

Lee Jacobi directs the Pilgrim Choir at 8:45 and the Chancel Choir at 11:00.

CALENDAR, WEEK OF January 8, 2006

SUNDAY, January 8

7:45 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study-Library

8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Worship/Children in Church/Sunday School

10:00 a.m. Mazahua Coffee Hour with pottery sale-SH/Atrium, Sunday Symposium-Lounge, Jr. Choir rehearsal-LL5

4:30 p.m. Jr. PF-302

6:30 p.m. Sr. PF-302

MONDAY, January 9

9:00 a.m. @ CH- Suburban Retired Men’s Club

6:00 p.m. Pioneer Club (dinner served at 5:30 p.m.) 202/301/302/SH/LL5

7:00 p.m. Bd/Trustees-RC, Bd/Benevolence-Conf. Rm., Bd/CE-Parlor

8:00 p.m. AA-LL5

TUESDAY, January 10

9, 10, 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Music Jamboree-LL2

12:00 p.m. Circle 7-Lounge

6:30 p.m. Investment Ad Hoc Committee-CR

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts-LL5, Historical Society-SH, Tosa Quilters Bd. Mtg.-Lounge

WEDNESDAY, January 11

6:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study “Invitation to the Old Testament”-Parlor

9:00 a.m. Chapel Devotions, Cream City Rug Club-SH

9:30 a.m. Prayer and Pilates-Lounge

9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Music Jamboree-LL2

6:00 p.m. All Church Dinner-Chili Cook-off-SH, Debtors Anonymous-LL5

7:00 p.m. “A Generous Orthodoxy” Book Study-Parlor, Beginnings-Lounge

THURSDAY, January 12

9:00 a.m. Big Band rehearsal-SH

12:00 p.m. “Invitation to the Old Testament”-Library

6:45 p.m. Pilgrim Choir-LL1

7:00 p.m. Jubilation Ringers-LL5

7:55 p.m. Chancel Choir-LL1

FRIDAY, January 13

9:00 a.m. Harmony Singers-Lounge

10:00 a.m. @CH-Hug-a-Tot

SATURDAY, January 14

8:00 a.m. Women’s Group-RC

9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m. Music Jamboree-LL2

12:30 p.m. Library Task Force-Library

6:00 p.m. PF Second Saturday “The Lord of the Rings-The Fellowship of the Ring”-SH

Welcome to all visitors joining us today. Please check the welcome table in the Atrium for information about our church.

Next Sunday, January 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Social Hall –

you are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa will take place.

Join us for Sunday Symposium at 10 a.m. today in Friendship Lounge when Rev. Dan Schowalter presents, “Healing in the Roman World.” Dan will answer the question, “How was getting sick and getting well understood within the Greco-Roman religious system?” On January 15, Dick Berger speaks about his mission trip to Argentina.

Suburban Retired Men’s Club will meet at the Congregational Home on Monday, January 9 at 9 a.m. Jim Wrinn will discuss “Why Toy Trains Still Intrigue Us.”

Please join us at the Congregational Home on Friday, January 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. for Hug-a-Tot. We’ll meet in the Fireplace Lounge. Bring your little ones and a few toys for a chance to delight the residents as they watch the children play. Please call Becky Peacock at 414-607-0500 if you have any questions.

Beginning January 15, we will begin a seven-week sermon series on “Imagining Church.” On January 15, Dr. Peay’s sermon title is “Imagining Church.” On January 22, Rev. Dr. Tom Richard, of the NACCC, will speak on “Connecting Church” and on January 29, Rev. Kreps Wegenast will discuss “Exploring Church.”

New Spiritual Formation Classes will begin in the month of January. “A Generous Orthodoxy” is a book study held Wed., Jan. 11 & 25, Feb. 1 & 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Beginnings, a small group spiritual journey, will be held on Wed., Jan. 11-Feb. 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Friendship Lounge. Invitation to the Old Testament, the story of God’s covenantal experience with Israel, will be held on Wed., Jan. 11 – Mar. 1, 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. in the Parlor as part of Women’s Bible Study, and Thurs., Jan. 12 – Mar. 2 from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Library. Register in the office for any of these classes.

Visit for the Book Cart! Look for the introduction of the book cart today in the Atrium. You can purchase texts needed for adult education as well as Bibles and other religious books. Hand- outs will also be available in advance of the classes you attend.

A Chili Cook-off will be held during the January All-Church Dinner on Wednesday, January 11 at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. Submit a pot of your favorite chili. We’ll have a salad bar and ice cream for dessert. Children will enjoy hot dogs. Please sign up by noon today. Adults/$5; children under 12/$2.

Circle 13 will meet at the home of Paige Galfano on Friday, January 13 beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a Snack & Chat.

He Comes to Us

Albert Schweitzer

He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old,

by the lakeside. He came to those men who knew Him not.

He speaks to us, He speaks the same word:

"Follow! Follow! Follow thou me!"

and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time.

He commands, And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple,

He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings

which they shall pass through in His fellowship,

and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.

O Morning Star, how fair and bright

Thou beamest forth in truth and light!

O Sovereign meek and lowly.

Thou Root of Jesse, David's Son,

My Lord and Master, Thou hast won

My heart to serve Thee solely!

Thou art holy, Fair and glorious, all victorious,

Rich in blessing, Rule and might o'er all possessing.

Chancel Choir 11:00

Bethlehem, of Noblest Cities

Prudentius Prudentius (348-410), O sola magnarum urbium;

trans. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

Bethlehem, of noblest cities

none can once with thee compare;

thou alone the Lord from heaven

didst for us incarnate bear.

Fairer than the sun at morning

was the star that told his birth;

to the lands their God announcing,

hid beneath a form of earth.

By its lambent beauty guided

see the eastern kings appear;

see them bend, their gifts to offer,

gifts of incense, gold and myrrh.

Solemn things of mystic meaning:

incense doth the God disclose,

gold a royal child proclaimeth,

myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

Holy Jesus, in thy brightness

to the Gentile world displayed,

with the Father and the Spirit

endless praise to thee be paid.