Service for
the Lord’s Day, January 4, 2009
2nd
Sunday after Christmas 10:30 a.m.
PRELUDE Brightest and Best J. Harding/J. Rasley
What Star Is
This? arr. F. Ritter
We
Three Kings J.
Hopkins/L. Smith
WELCOME, REGISTRATION &
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CARILLON & LIGHTING THE
CANDLES ON THE WREATH
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Arise, Shout out God’s praise!
The One we seek has come to us.
Arise,
shine with God’s light!
The One who brings peace is among us.
Arise,
give thanks, let your hearts rejoice!
The One who brings God’s love is alive with us.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 63 As with Gladness Men of Old
*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE from Call to
Worship
God of glory, you send your love as a
beacon,
that all may find their way to you.
All too often we see only our own shadows,
and grow sure that we are keepers of the light.
We are surprised, sometimes frightened, when others come to your light,
bringing their gifts in ways different from ours.
Forgive our down-turned eyes, O God.
Lift our heads to see Jesus Christ, Light of the world,
and take away our fear and fill us with wonder,
so that we too may worship him with all who come.
(time for silent, personal confession) Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE
God watches over us far beyond the powers of our
reasoning.
God searches for us, and yet we find God hidden deep in
our hearts.
God’s mercy for us exceeds our mercy for ourselves.
As we turn from evil, God turns to us in mercy, forgiving
us in Christ.
Our thanks to God!
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Peace be with you.
(worshipers
exchange signs and words of the peace of Christ)
LESSON FROM THE LETTER Ephesians 3: 1-12 (NRSV)
ANTHEM “O Thou
that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” G.F. Handel
from The
Messiah
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG
LESSON FROM
THE GOSPEL Matthew 2: 1-12 (NRSV)
SERMON “Wising Up”
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO THE
CHILD
Call to Respond
OFFERTORY Brightest
and Best P. Sjolund
Prayer dedicating ourselves in
homage to Christ
PRAYERS OF THANKING AND ASKING GOD,
THE
LORD’S PRAYER (Ecumenical) Hymnal p. 16
*HYMN #66 We Three Kings of Orient Are
Verses
1, 3, & 5 (All Sing)
Verse
2 (Men)
Verse
4 (Women)
Refrain
(All)
*CHARGE
Who do we think we are? We’re not kings or queens!
God knows! Jesus knows! And we are welcomed by God as we are.
Seek the light not of our
own stars, but of God.
The light given, not to
find our way, but to discover God’s ways.
*BLESSING
POSTLUDE Songs of Thankfulness and Praise C. Anton/L. Smith
(Please feel free to
leave quietly at beginning of Postlude,
even though some choose to remain seated to
listen.)
|
Liturgists |
Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl |
|
Sermon |
Rev. William R. Leety |
|
Moment with the
Young |
Hope Boring |
|
Musical
Leadership |
Chancel Choir Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano |
|
Concerned
Deacon |
Lorie Ellett |
|
Head Usher |
Sam
Shuman |