The Ephiphany
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: Song of the Magi (Anais Mitchelle) -Ada Goff
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 new ways of
restoration and renewal, of justice and mercy,
as we discover again Christ’s call to discipleship.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: Light of the Stable (Steve & Elizabeth Rhymer) -Michelle Currie
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12- Cris Hudson
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: Arise, Shine, For Your Light Has Come
Rev. Paula Norbert
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:
Now go surrounded by Christ’s light, and the blessing of God
– Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit – be with you now,
all those you pray for, and all those you remember. Amen.
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, and to Ada Goff our gifted soloist today who brings thoughtfulness, calm and joy always!
Thanks to our Reader and Zoom Host this week.
Looking Ahead:
Strategic Planning: We will continue our work on Strategic Planning as we look ahead to the new year. Our church committees are identifying several goals and actions we will focus on and then we plan to invite our larger church community to help us in working on those goals. We hope everyone will choose to be involved in some way.
Expanding our visibility: Our postings on Social Media have been helping raise our church visibility in the community. Many thanks to those who are sharing information on our church with their friends and family.
Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21st. In the past, our church has gathered for a fun celebration on that evening. Would there be a few people who might like to help organize this for this year? Please contact Pastor Paula.
The season of Epiphany is an invitation to follow Jesus into the ways of gratitude and joy,. We are no longer bound by the dissatisfaction of our consumer culture that tells us to keep striving for more stuff, more success, more money, more of everything for
myself. Instead we are invited to learn to live in the joy and
contentment of seeing every moment as a gift from God.
Brian O’Connell