NOTES: How many times do we catch something new just as it begins? Hindsight is much more effective. A rare experience is to catch a glimpse of something special and JUST KNOW, "this is the moment something changes for the better." What were the wise men looking for when they saw the star that caught their attention and spoke to them? The sight of this star called them forward. They were convinced by its gleam that something new was afoot. More than that, they longed to be a part of it. It's time for us to look up to God and ask, "God, what are you up to in our world right now? What are you doing that we can get involved in? How will you stir our hearts and souls and vision with passion and desire in 2019?" What will our star be?
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A1-12&version=NRSV
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 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.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They 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.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 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.
8:30 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
WelcomePrelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn CH#173 "As with Gladness" sts. 1,2, 3
Call to Worship
Leader: We gather wondering, 'Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?'
People: We will find the Babe in the laughter of children,
in the wisdom of grandparents.
Leader: We gather asking, 'where will we find the Child of Christmas?'
People: We will find the Child where the needy are gifted with hope,
where the oppressed are set free.
Leader: We gather wanting to know, 'where will we find the Christ who has come for us?'
People: We will find our Hope where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
where all people are overwhelmed by joy.
— written by Thomas Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website.
Invocation
Open our hearts, merciful God, to the sparks of your presence still in this world. Open our eyes, that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places, and among the least likely of people. Illumine our hearts, gracious God, that we might live the love your Son will teach us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
~ adapted from a prayer written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational in Rochester, NH.
We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & ConcernsPrayer Hymn "O Beautiful Star" sts. 1,2,3 & 4
Praying Together
"Prayer of the Day"
Shaper of stars, we have heard of your grace;
from those set free from injustice;
from our children who whisper of your joy;
from greeters of dawn's fresh start;
from those who stay up late to listen to the stories of the needy.
We have heard of your Light, Bright Star of the morning:
which can illumine the shadows of our lives;
which can show the path to God's heart;
which can point the way to where we become servants of the gospel.
We have heard of your promised peace, Wisdom's Radiance:
that peace which can end war, as well as heal our hearts;
that peace which can conquer our fears, and flood us with faith;
that peace which can enter our lives and overwhelm us with hope.
We have heard of you, God in Community, Holy in One,
and will proclaim your glory to all,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— written by Thomas Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website.
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the TableCommunion Hymn CH#159 "There's a Song in the Air" sts. 1, 2, & 3
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for DiscipleshipDiscipleship Hymn CH#169 "O Thou Joyful" sts. 1 & 2
Blessing
10:40 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
WelcomePrelude
Call to Worship
Leader: We gather wondering, 'Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?'
People: We will find the Babe in the laughter of children,
in the wisdom of grandparents.
Leader: We gather asking, 'where will we find the Child of Christmas?'
People: We will find the Child where the needy are gifted with hope,
where the oppressed are set free.
Leader: We gather wanting to know, 'where will we find the Christ who has come for us?'
People: We will find our Hope where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
where all people are overwhelmed by joy.
— written by Thomas Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website.
Praise Hymn CH#173 "As with Gladness" sts. 1,2, 3
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
Open our hearts, merciful God, to the sparks of your presence still in this world. Open our eyes, that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places, and among the least likely of people.Illumine our hearts, gracious God, that we might live the love your Son will teach us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
~ adapted from a prayer written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational in Rochester, NH.
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn CH#170 "How Great Our Joy" sts. 2 & 4
We Contemplate God's Word
ScriptureChoir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & ConcernsPrayer Hymn "O Beautiful Star" sts. 1,2,3 & 4
Praying Together
"Prayer of the Day"
Shaper of stars, we have heard of your grace;
from those set free from injustice;
from our children who whisper of your joy;
from greeters of dawn's fresh start;
from those who stay up late to listen to the stories of the needy.
We have heard of your Light, Bright Star of the morning:
which can illumine the shadows of our lives;
which can show the path to God's heart;
which can point the way to where we become servants of the gospel.
We have heard of your promised peace, Wisdom's Radiance:
that peace which can end war, as well as heal our hearts;
that peace which can conquer our fears, and flood us with faith;
that peace which can enter our lives and overwhelm us with hope.
We have heard of you, God in Community, Holy in One,
and will proclaim your glory to all,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— written by Thomas Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website.
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the TableCommunion Hymn CH#159 "There's a Song in the Air" sts. 1, 2, & 3
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for DiscipleshipDiscipleship Hymn CH#169 "O Thou Joyful" sts. 1 & 2
Blessing
Closing Hymn CH#469 "I am the Light of the World" sts. 1 & 4
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