The
Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United
Church of Canada
Port
Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office:
625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com
Blog:
http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Presbytery
Website: inverguyunited.ca
Ministers:
The Whole People of God Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister
of Music: Al Fougere
January
3rd, 2016-2nd Sunday of Christmas
Sunday
Closest to Epiphany
A
thought around which to gather as we worship— On this first
Sunday of the new year, we consider the story of the magi and their
pilgrimage to see the Christ child. At the end of this story in the
gospel of Matthew, a warning is revealed in a dream; instead of
returning to Herod, the magi leave for their own country by another
road. What other roads is God encouraging us to travel this year?
What signs to change course is God sending to us?
Copyright
© Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2015 Seasons of the Spirit™
SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2015–2016
Announcements The
Work of Church and Community
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Greeting
One:
The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.
*Introit Il est né (chorus only) VU 50
Il
est né, le divin Enfant,
jouez,
hautbois, résonnez, musettes;
il
est né, le divin Enfant;
chantons
tous son avènement.
He
is born, little Child divine;
play
on the reeds while the lutes are strumming.
He
is born, little Child divine;
join
the song to announce the day.
The
Christ candle in Advent wreath is lit.
Call
to Worship
One:
We are all pilgrims, on a journey for truth.
All:
Our many journeys have brought us together, in this place.
One:
In the midst of our troubles, God comes.
All:
May we set aside our worries and cares for the time we are together.
One:
May we welcome each other to this place.
All:
Let the joy of God enter into our souls!
Opening
Prayer
All:
God of pilgrimage and quest, like the magi we are overwhelmed with
joy when we encounter Jesus, child of Bethlehem, gift to the world.
May we continue to seek the Christ even in unexpected places, and
notice the presence of your love throughout all the world. Amen.
*Hymn The First Nowell VU 91
Prayer
for Wholeness
One:
We come to Christ with our preconceived notions: we value our worldly
treasures.
All:
Worldly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were the treasures of
the wise ones.
One:
The Christ child gave them a spiritual gift, worth more than their
worldly treasure.
All:
The wise ones were transformed by the Christ-gift.
One:
The wise ones returned home on a path different from the one they had
planned to take.
All:
In this new year, what different path is Christ beckoning us to
take? (a time for silent
reflection) Amen.
Assurance
of Love
All:
The gifts of the star-child are healing of heart,
courage
in the struggle for justice and peace,
the
abiding presence of the Spirit in suffering and joy,
and
power to live life anew. Thanks be to God!
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Isaiah
60:1–6 Arise, shine: for your light has come.
One:
Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
72 God’s anointed defends the poor. Pts. 1 &
2, VU 790
*
Hymn Away In a Manger VU 69
Opening
the Word & The Lord’s Prayer
Gospel
Acclamation
Matthew
2:1–12 The visit of the Magi.
One:
Herein is Good News. All: Praise be to God.
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
*
Hymn The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy VU 73
Minute
for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
*
Offering Prayer
One:
As the magi brought gold,
All:
so we bring these gifts.
One:
As the magi brought frankincense,
All:
so we bring our prayers.
One:
As the magi brought myrrh,
All:
so we bring our lives to you, O God. Amen.
Prayers
of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Response:
God, in your love, hear our prayer.
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
*
Hymn Joy to the World VU
59
Commissioning
and Benediction
Like
the wise ones who took a new path home,
the
new year will bring you new discoveries and new journeys. God’s
light shines for you,
you
need only to look up to see it.
*
Choral Amen
