WORSHIP MATERIALS

Order of Service

Sunday, January 5, 2025 10:00 am

Praise the Architect of Life!

For times of plenty; for times of want —

For times of breathing easy; for times when you couldn’t catch your breath —

For times of we’ll-never-make-it-through; for times of thank-God-we-made-it —

For times of healing; for times of woundedness —

For times of wholeness; for times of brokenness —

For times of appreciation; for times of thanklessness —

For times of adulation; for times of persecution —

For times surrounded by friends in solidarity; for times abandoned in solitude —

For times of harmony and peace; for times of turmoil and unrest —

For times of knowing; for times of unknowing —

For times of welcoming newness and transformation; for times of grieving death and loss —

For times past and times to come, the year behind and the year ahead —

Praise, praise, praise!

RINGING OF THE BELL

PRELUDE                             

OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER

*WELCOME AND GREETING

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Praise be to God!

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.  Hear the words of the prophet:  “Arise, shine; for your light has come.  The glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the people,

But the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.”

How shall we respond?

Glory, praise, and honor to you, O God.

Glory, praise, and honor to you, Jesus Christ.

Glory, praise, and honor to you, Holy Spirit.

Hear the words of the prophet:

“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.”

The wonder is beyond description!

The glory is more than we had hoped for!

We are standing on holy ground.

“Then you shall see and be radiant.

Your heart shall thrill and rejoice.”

INVOCATION

*HYMN                                   “Joy to the World # 143

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of our salvation, you have come among us as Light in the midst of our darkness.  Yet for reasons we do not fully grasp, we linger in darkness of sin.  Sometimes with our words, we devour one another.  Sometimes with our thoughts, we cast judgment on ones we hardly know.  Sometimes with our eyes, we communicate contempt.  Forgive us, O God, when our actions express harm or resentment. Help us to discern your presence in our midst.  Call us again and again, to be light-bearers of truth and mercy.  We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus the Messiah.  Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Here is a promise from God: “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”  Trust the Gospel, in Christ you are healed, forgiven, and made whole!  Glory be to God.  Amen.

*RESPONSE              “Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing” # 150

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you

PSALM 147:8-20 (Responsively)  Reader: Kathy Herwig

(Psalm 147 is an extensive prayer that seeks to praise God for his universal power and beneficial care.)

He covers the heavens with clouds,

Prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.

He gives to the animals their food,

And to the young ravens when they cry.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

Nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,

In those who hope in his steadfast love.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

He blesses your children within you.

He grants peace within your borders;

He fills you with the finest of wheat.

He sends out his command to the earth;

His word runs swiftly.

He gives snow like wool;

He scatters frost like ashes.

He hurls down hail like crumbs—

Who can stand before his cold?

He sends out his word, and melts them;

He makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.

He declares his word to Jacob,

His statutes and ordinances to Israel.

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;

They do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!

THE NEW TESTAMENT             Ephesians 3:1-12

Reader: Kathy Herwig

(One of the great reformations of the early church was the incorporation of Gentiles into the community.  This was offensive to some.  But the Apostle Paul was convinced that the promise of the Gospel is for all.)

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

SERMON ON THE STEPS       “Let Your Light Shine”

*HYMN                                                  “The First Noel” # 151

THE GOSPEL      Matthew 2:1-12  Pastor Kim Henning

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘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.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “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.”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then 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.’ When 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. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

SERMON                            “Those Determined Wise Men”

THE IN-GATHERING OF PRAYER REQUESTS

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER                

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.    

 OFFERTORY

Every gift we have comes as part of God’s good creation. Let us honor the Creator’s vision of true peace. Let us embrace gift-giving as our love commitment. May our generosity be a witness to the Living God among us.

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below;

Praise God above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

*OFFERTORY PRAYER

God, may these gifts reveal your greatness and your glory. We give thanks for the privilege of being the church, your community of love.  Praise be to you in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

God in Christ has revealed his glory.

From the rising of the sun to its setting the Lord’s name is greatly to be praised.

Give God praise, you servants of the Lord.  O praise the name of the Lord!

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Though he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing.

Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness.

He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

Therefore, God has raised him on high and given him the name above every name:

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Look upon us in mercy, not in judgement; draw us from hatred to love; make the frailty of our praise a dwelling place for your glory. The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise. 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Let us announce the mystery of faith:

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.  We pour this cup to remember the blood that was shed for us and our salvation.  

God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE POURING OF THE CUP

THE INVITATION

THE DISTRIBUTION             

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*HYMN                                          “We Three Kings” # 172

*COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION                     

*POSTLUDE