SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 A.M.
Worship for Epiphany
THE CHURCH GATHERS
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Robert J. Brink
(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love to
greet you following the service or at coffee hour in the Social Hall.)
THE PRELUDE Josepf est bein Marie Balbastre
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Minister: The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
People: Let us praise the Lord together.
Minister: The sun shall no longer be our light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on us,
People: for the Lord will be our light, and our God will be our glory.
Minister: The Lord will be our everlasting light,
People: and our days of sorrow will end.
ALL: Come, let us sing to our light and salvation! —based on Isaiah 60
*HYMN 148 We Three Kings of Orient Are
*PRAYER OF THE DAY AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
O God who quickens the faith that brought Magi from the east, who kindles the hope that brought captives from exile, and who inspires the love that brings strangers together, let the light that shone in the darkness shine upon us. Let it shine within us, that it might refine our divided hearts. Let it shine around us, that it might illumine the way that leads to our neighbors. And let it shine above us, that it might reveal the Christ who manifests your presence and who taught us to call to 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 558)
THE CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
*HYMN 156 Wise Ones Seek Him
(Children ages 3 through 8th grade are invited to go to Sunday School
during the singing of the hymn.)
THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 Bible, page 676
THE PSALMODY (responsive) Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Hymnal, no. 653
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 Bible, page 877 Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
THE COMMUNION MEDITATION “God Exposed!” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM The Kings Cornelius
Eleanor Quint, Soprano
Marilyn Auer, Alto
THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM Bethlehem, of Noblest Cities arr. Willcocks
*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
THE CALL TO AND THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you and one another in both our actions and our inactions. We recognize that in Jesus Christ our light has come, yet often we choose to walk in shadows and ignore the light. Gracious God, forgive our sins and remove from us the veil of darkness that shrouds our lives. Illumined by your Word and sacrament, may we rise to the radiance of Christ’s glory. Amen.
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right for us to give thanks and praise.
(The Minister continues the prayer, following “to the God of loving power and powerful love” we all say:)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. —based on Psalm 118:26; Isaiah 6:3
(The Ministers continue the Thanksgiving.)
THE COMMUNION
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (unison)
O God, who in Jesus Christ called us out of darkness into marvelous light, enable us always to declare your wonderful deeds, thank you for your steadfast love, and praise you with heart, soul, mind, and strength, now and forever. Amen.
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND TO SERVE
*HYMN 152 We Join the Wise Men
*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Minister: In response to what we have heard and to what we know ourselves to be, let us begin anew.
People: We have been called to participate in his mission.
Minister: The Lord has laid upon us the responsibility for his world.
People: Let us offer ourselves to him and to that world, which is his own.
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Go in peace. Amen.
People: Amen.
*THE POSTLUDE Theme and Variations on an Epiphanian Hymn Tune
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
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.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. services.
Sunday School at 8:45 and Godly Play at 11:00.
Worship Preview for Sunday, January 13 8:45 A.M.
Rev. Steven Peay will offer the sermon entitled “Opened to Love…and to Serve.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Pilgrim Choir.