January 4, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
Worship for Epiphany
(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 fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)
THE CHURCH GATHERS
THE PRELUDE Impression on We Three Kings Fedak
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Chapman
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Thomas Rondeau
Liturgist: The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
People: Let us praise the Lord together.
Liturgist: 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.
Liturgist: 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
*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever and 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)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.d
Amen, Amen.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 676 Children’s Bible, page 1050
THE CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
*HYMN 156 Wise Ones Seek Him
THE PSALMODY (responsive) Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Hymnal, no. 653
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 3:1-12 Bible, page 1065 Children’s Bible, page 1664
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 Bible, page 877 Children’s Bible, page 1373
THE COMMUNION MEDITATION “Epiphany: God EXPOSED!” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM Epiphany Alleluias Weaver
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 Star of Beauty Facer
*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
THE CALL TO AND THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
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 proclaim the glory of your Name” 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 Minister continues the Thanksgiving.]
THE COMMUNION
[We hold the bread and receive it together to show our oneness in the Lord. We receive the cup as it comes to us to signify our individual relationships with the Lord.]
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.
*HYMN 152 We Join the Wise Men
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE
*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 Joy to the World arr. Fox
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, January 11 10:00 A.M.
Rev. Steven Peay will offer the sermon entitled “Baptized and Empowered.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.