The Epiphany
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the
assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friend
s into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “Matthew loved the magi. He gave their story more square inches of text than he gave the narrative of the birth of Jesus. He never mentions the shepherds or the manger, but he didn’t want us to miss the star and the seekers. It’s easy to see why. Their story is our story. “
Max Lucado
Gathering Music: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
Leader: The Star still beckons. We follow the Light that was before, is now, and ever will be.
All: We seek the Light’s ancient wisdom. The Star still beckons.
L: We seek the Light that is God’s continuing gift.
All: We live into the Light’s new wisdom.We awake to the Light
In our world, emerging anew each day.
L: We seek to share this wisdom, nurtured in the Light over
Bethlehem’s cradle.
Opening Hymn: We Three Kings of Orient Are vs. 1, 2 & 3 #151
Invocation:
God of Light and Love, in this very moment the star still beckons.
Gather us and let the star call us to sojourn with the magi, to be open to the wonder of an unexplained beckoning and to be instilled with the courage to follow that opaque path.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: Light of the Stable (Steve & Elizabeth Rhymer) -Michelle Currie
Scripture Reading:
From Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1 -Nancy Ost From the Christian Testament: Matthew 2:1-12
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Anthem: We’re Gonna Bring Joy to the World (Marsha Jean Moors-Charles)
-Michelle Currie
Sermon: Sojourning with the Magi Rev. Shirley Bowen
Sermon Response: Meditative Instrumental ~ Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: Go Light Your World (Chris Rice) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: The First Nowell #147
Benediction:
Let us make a commitment today and throughout Epiphany and in the pilgrimage ahead, to bring light and love to every encounter and a willingness to wonder in each new revelation and wander into the beckoning unknown, sustained with the blessing of the Creator, Christ, and the sustaining Holy Spirit. Amen. (adapted from Madeleine L’Engle)
Postlude: Go In Peace…
Many thanks to Michelle Currie, our wonderful Music Director, who brings joy to our worship each week through the gift of her music.
Thanks to our Reader and Zoom Host this week.
Special thanks to our Guest Presider, Rev. Shirley Bowen.
Looking Ahead:
Reminder – Today at 2:00 pm. Post-Shoah Jewish-Christian Relations: A Text Study with Rabbi Dr. David Fox Sandmel.
Program at Congregation Etz Chaim on Bacon Street. You must have registered in advance.