FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WAUWATOSA

 

December 31, 2006

MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.

Epiphany Sunday

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS                                  Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.           

{Children 3 through 2nd grade are invited to join Rev. Rob Brink for Godly Play in room LL4.}

 

PRELUDE                                   Once in Royal David’s City                                         Behnke

                                                       Ralph Ehlert, Organist                                                                 

 

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

                                                                                        

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                           James Benz

Liturgist:    Arise, shine; for your light has come,

People:     and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Liturgist:    Nations shall come to your light

People:     and rulers to the brightness of your rising.

ALL:         We have seen the star and come to worship. Alleluia!

 

*HYMN 143                               We Three Kings of Orient Are

 

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Lord God of the nations, we have seen the star of your glory rising in splendor. The radiance of your incarnate Word pierces the night that covers the earth and signals the dawn of justice and peace. May his brightness illumine our lives and beckon all nations to walk as one in your light. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, who 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, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

 

*ASCRIPTION OF GLORY         “Gloria in excelsis Deo!”

 

THE EPISTLE LESSON                  Ephesians 3:1-12                                Bible, page 1065

 

THE CANTICLE (unison)                    Isaiah 60:1-6                                      Bible, page 676

 

THE GOSPEL LESSON                   Matthew 2:1-12                                    Bible, page 877

 

ANTHEM                                         Away in the Manger                                              Wilberg

                            Kimberly Porter, Jillian Bruss, Roger Jacobi & Gary Back

 

THE SERMON                      “Becoming Starry-Eyed Again”                                  Dr. Peay

 

HYMN 119                                As With Gladness Men of Old

 

THE CALL TO PRAYER AND SILENT MEDITATION

 

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

Minister:    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God, Alleluia!

People:     Shout to the Lord, all the earth, Alleluia!

Minister:    With joy let us pray to our Savior, the Son of God who became one of us, saying:

ALL:         The grace of God be with us all.

      Liturgist:    O Christ, let your gospel shine in every place where the Word of life is not yet received.

People:     Draw the whole creation to yourself that your salvation may be known through all the earth. The grace of God be with us all.

Minister:    O Christ, Savior and Lord, extend your church to every place.

ALL:         Make it a place of welcome for people of every race and tongue. The grace of God be with us all.

People:     O Christ, Ruler of rulers, direct the work and thoughts of the leaders of nations that they may seek justice, and further peace and freedom for all.

All:            The grace of God be with us all.

Liturgist:    O Christ, Master of all, support of the weak and comfort of the afflicted, strengthen the tempted and raise the fallen.

Minister:    Watch over the lonely and those in danger.

People:     Give hope to the despairing and sustain the faith of the persecuted.

ALL:         The grace of God be with us all. Amen.

{following a brief silence the Minister invites us to conclude the prayer as we say:}

O Christ, light made manifest as the true light of God, gladden our hearts on the joyful morning of your glory; call us by our name on the great Day of your coming; and give us grace to offer, with all the hosts of heaven, unending praise to God in whom all things find their ending, now and ever. Amen.

 

THE OFFERTORY

 

THE ANTHEM                                  Fum, Fum, Fum                                   A Spanish Carol

                                                                                                                      arr. Shaw-Parker

 

*THE DOXOLOGY

 

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

 

*HYMN 130                                        Joy to the World!                                                           

 

*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

 

*POSTLUDE                            God Rest You Merry Gentlemen                            Roberts/Held                                   

 

*The congregation is invited to stand, if able.

 

 

Worship Preview for Sunday, January 7, 2007

Next Sunday: Rev. Samuel Schaal will deliver the sermon.

 Thomas Gregory is the organist.

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

 

 

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.

 

FOR THE ADVENT SEASON

 

Donations to the Christmas Decorations were made by—in memory of:

Marilyn and Charles Auer—James M. Auer

Phil, Anne, Erin and Bryn Callen—Walter Cave and Philip Callen

Peggy and Peter Haesler—their parent’s

Eugenia Jacobus—Harriet, Delwin and Charles Jacobus

Diane Miller—Marvin D. Miller

Lucy Miyazaki and family—Jim Miyazaki

Susan Rondeau—Helen Weidenkopf and Carrie Rondeau

Family of James and Carol Santelle—James and Carol Santelle

Mary Beth Stevenson—Edmund Sarna, Sr.

Jim and Gloria Walsh—David Walsh

Grace Wendt—Dr. Wm. Wendt and Doreen Weidler

Jessie and Robert  Whitmore

 

Donations to the Christmas Decorations were made by—in honor of:

Bob and Jackie Hipke—their 6 grandchildren

Lee and Barbara Jacobi—all those people who give so much to provide music for our congregation

Cindy Payette—Hailey, Maddie and Gunner Sgarlata

Susan Rondeau—Sally, Tom and Scott Rondeau

The Schowalter Family—Neal and Charlotte Schowalter’s 50th Wedding Anniversary