ORDER OF WORSHIP
Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord
Communion
January 8, 2023
PRELUDE What Child is This, arr. Ruth Elaine Schram
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Magi waited and watched, knowing something wondrous was about to happen.
Then, the star shone and God’s love was revealed.
The darkness that invaded all lives was banished by the light of that star.
The darkness that surrounded us is gone!
Arise! Shine! Celebrate the bright shining of God's love in our lives.
All: Let us worship the God of love, together.
OPENING HYMN #63 (Blue) ‘As with Gladness Men of Old’
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that cradle, rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure, and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Gracious God, we would like to be among those who saw the coming of the Christ Child, those who dropped all that they were doing and traveled to worship the coming of God's love into this world. And yet, merciful God, we recognize that instead we are more often like Herod. Fearful of losing control of our life, we are unwilling to drop all that we are doing and step out in faith. With our actions or in our inactions, we fail to show that we trust you. Loving God, we confess our sins against you and one another, and pray that you will fill us with your light, that we may live our lives as true disciples in your name, so that in all that we do, say or think, we are a reflection of Christ’s true light. We ask for your guidance in the name of Christ, the one who showed us the way. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
GLORIA PATRI
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. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 (read responsively)
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
SERMON: ‘Arise! Shine! God has work for you to do!’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison)
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (From the Scot's confession of 1560)
INVITATION TO OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Paige F
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: John & Robin E, Mary E, Evelyn F
Those who mourn: Please keep Art VanderWaal and family in your prayers as his wife Marjorie passed away January 5th. We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
COMMUNION SERVICE
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
COMMUNION HYMN #516 (Blue) ‘Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation’
Lord, we have come at Your own invitation,
Chosen by You, to be counted Your friends:
Yours is the strength that sustains dedication,
Ours a commitment we know never ends.
Here, at Your table, confirm our intention,
Give it Your seal of forgiveness and grace;
Teach us to serve without pride or pretension,
Lord, in Your kingdom, whatever our place.
When, at Your table, each time of returning,
Vows are renewed and our courage restored:
May we increasingly glory in learning
All that it means to accept You as Lord.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… You are ever faithful; therefore we praise you, joining our voices with choirs of angels, the shepherds, the magi, and with all the faithful of every time and place
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.
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
… Together we pray as our Lord has taught us to pray,
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN #411 (Blue) ‘Arise, Your Light is Come’
Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God,
Which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captives’ liberty,
Good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the broken-hearted ones
And comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing;
God’s power will make us strong.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH will be meeting today Sunday, Jan. 8 after worship.
MARJORIE VANDERWAAL’S FUNERAL will be held on Monday, Jan. 9th at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church.
ANNUAL REPORT ARTICLES are due Monday, Jan. 9th
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P
MISSION/FINANCE will meet Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 PM, via Zoom.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church.
SESSION and DEACONS will meet jointly on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10:30 AM at the church.
CHURCH OFFICE will be closed Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
BLADE ARTICLES are due Tuesday, Jan. 17.
BENEDICTION
PRELUDE: ‘Angels We Have Heard on High,’ arr. Anna Laura Page
Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord
Communion
January 8, 2023
PRELUDE What Child is This, arr. Ruth Elaine Schram
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Magi waited and watched, knowing something wondrous was about to happen.
Then, the star shone and God’s love was revealed.
The darkness that invaded all lives was banished by the light of that star.
The darkness that surrounded us is gone!
Arise! Shine! Celebrate the bright shining of God's love in our lives.
All: Let us worship the God of love, together.
OPENING HYMN #63 (Blue) ‘As with Gladness Men of Old’
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that cradle, rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure, and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Gracious God, we would like to be among those who saw the coming of the Christ Child, those who dropped all that they were doing and traveled to worship the coming of God's love into this world. And yet, merciful God, we recognize that instead we are more often like Herod. Fearful of losing control of our life, we are unwilling to drop all that we are doing and step out in faith. With our actions or in our inactions, we fail to show that we trust you. Loving God, we confess our sins against you and one another, and pray that you will fill us with your light, that we may live our lives as true disciples in your name, so that in all that we do, say or think, we are a reflection of Christ’s true light. We ask for your guidance in the name of Christ, the one who showed us the way. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
GLORIA PATRI
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. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 (read responsively)
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
SERMON: ‘Arise! Shine! God has work for you to do!’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison)
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (From the Scot's confession of 1560)
INVITATION TO OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Paige F
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: John & Robin E, Mary E, Evelyn F
Those who mourn: Please keep Art VanderWaal and family in your prayers as his wife Marjorie passed away January 5th. We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
COMMUNION SERVICE
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
COMMUNION HYMN #516 (Blue) ‘Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation’
Lord, we have come at Your own invitation,
Chosen by You, to be counted Your friends:
Yours is the strength that sustains dedication,
Ours a commitment we know never ends.
Here, at Your table, confirm our intention,
Give it Your seal of forgiveness and grace;
Teach us to serve without pride or pretension,
Lord, in Your kingdom, whatever our place.
When, at Your table, each time of returning,
Vows are renewed and our courage restored:
May we increasingly glory in learning
All that it means to accept You as Lord.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… You are ever faithful; therefore we praise you, joining our voices with choirs of angels, the shepherds, the magi, and with all the faithful of every time and place
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.
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
… Together we pray as our Lord has taught us to pray,
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN #411 (Blue) ‘Arise, Your Light is Come’
Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God,
Which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captives’ liberty,
Good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the broken-hearted ones
And comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing;
God’s power will make us strong.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH will be meeting today Sunday, Jan. 8 after worship.
MARJORIE VANDERWAAL’S FUNERAL will be held on Monday, Jan. 9th at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church.
ANNUAL REPORT ARTICLES are due Monday, Jan. 9th
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P
MISSION/FINANCE will meet Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 PM, via Zoom.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church.
SESSION and DEACONS will meet jointly on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10:30 AM at the church.
CHURCH OFFICE will be closed Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
BLADE ARTICLES are due Tuesday, Jan. 17.
BENEDICTION
PRELUDE: ‘Angels We Have Heard on High,’ arr. Anna Laura Page