ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH 2014

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Leader (St. M.) Joyce Oliver-Snair

            (St D.): Julia Mac Kinnon

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Darren & Anne Blundon

               (St. D.): Ian Mac Kinnon

Lay Reader (St. M.): Vida Hood

Lay Reader (St. D.): Bruce Corrigan

Collectors (St. M.): Darren & Anne Blundon,

Denis Bernard, Malcolm Matheson

Collectors (St. D.): Heather Graham, Kim Cameron

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month. 

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is January 20^th at 1:00 P.M.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jan. 21^st. – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting. (Annual Reports due at this meeting) 6:30 Executive, 7:00 Committees, 8:00 p.m. Combined Board.

FUNDSCRIP REPORT Order dates for January are Sunday January 5^th and 19^th and delivery dates are January 12^th and 26^th

Please contact Patsy Brander at 625- 1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join this program

Promotions for January are:

Teriyaki Experience 12% ( Regular 10% )

Chapters Indigo 8% ( Regular 5% )

Pier 1 Imports 7% ( Regular 5% )

Lay Readers for January & February:

January 26^th – Connie Fowlie

February 2^nd – Jean Mac Pherson

February 9^th – Rebecca Roussy

February 16^th – Julia Mac Quarrie

February 23^rd – Archie Noseworthy

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

A box will be placed in the Narthex of the church for men’s socks, new or used in good shape.  The UCW will forward these to Brunswick St. Mission later in the winter.  Lets fill the box. 

St. David’s Lay Readers for January & February:

January 26 – Margie Mac Intyre

February 2 – Maxine Smith

February 9 – Iaian Langley

February 16 – Lisa Rhynold

February 23 – Maxine Smith

Saint David's congregational meeting will be held following Church on Sunday Feb.2, 2014

 All reports are to be into the Church secretary TODAY.

**********

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014 January 19^th to 26th

The roots of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity go back to the 1800s; it is one of the oldest, most widely observed ecumenical events in the world.

This is a very unique year!
For just the third time in 100 years the Week of Prayer materials focus on Canada! Our sisters and brothers in Christ all around the world will be praying together in words and through a context that originated here. The Canadian regional ecumenical centers, the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism and the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism have taken the lead in writing the materials which will be used in countries throughout the globe. The Canadian Council of Churches has been promoting these materials, is encouraging Canadian Christians to pray from sea to sea to sea.

The apostle Paul puts before us all this year the difficult question of I Corinthians 1:13, ‘Has Christ Been Divided?’ Paul is speaking rhetorically, challenging the early church in Corinth and very much challenging us about the divisions in the Body of Christ.Be a part of the praying, be open to the challenge, and be with your sisters and brothers of the whole Body of Christ.

Today we are providing you with “Eight Days of Prayer” as an insert in your bulletin. Please use this for your personal prayer and reflection times, beginning today and for this entire Week of Prayer.

Individual Reflection

- Prepare a place where you can be quiet and reflective for a period of time. You may wish to set up your space with symbolic items that help you to focus, such as candles, a Bible, a cross or an icon.
- Begin by praying for openness to God's word.
- Read the text aloud. Note a word, phrase or image that attracts your attention. Is this attraction positive or negative?
- Read the text again.
- Meditate on the word or phrase you have selected and listen for God's word to you.
- If you are using the Eight Days materials, read the reflection for the day. What questions arise from it? What do these questions evoke in you?
- Give thanks to God for the gifts of grace and insight you are finding.
- Reflect on the text again. Take time to write down any insights, or express them in an artistic way.
- From your reflection, choose an action you might take.
- Read aloud the prayer at the end of the reflection, or offer a prayer of your own.
- If possible, share your reflections with someone else.

++++++++++

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Worship Service, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Port Hawkesbury, Wednesday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. This is a gathering of community churches, seeking to build up our mutual relationship in Christ through a celebration of song, word and gesture. Members of local church choirs are invited to join the Week of Prayer choir. Everyone welcome! Please bring 'finger food' to share at the reception.

Wish to Learn More about Computers? Learn all about E-mail, the Internet, and Skye? Classes will be offered at the Isle Madame Learning and Technology Centre/C@P Site on Thursday mornings (9:30 – 12:30) or Tuesday evenings (6:00 – 9:00) from February 11^th – May 8^th (12 weeks). Similar classes will be offered at the St. Peter’s Learning and Technology Centre/C@P Site on Friday mornings (9:30 – 12:30) or Wednesday evenings (6:00 – 9:00) starting on February 12^th. For more information or to register, please call the Richmond County Literacy Network at 226 - 0383 or 535-3304. No Fee. Class times and locations will depend on number of people registered.

Adult upgrading classes (including preparation for writing the G.E.D. exam)are being offered throughout Inverness County from Jan.-May, 2014. Classes are free. Basic computer skills instruction will be available in your community depending on interest. If you would like more information, please call Shirley Miller at 248-2960, Jesslyn Timmons at 258-3110, or toll free at 1-877-258-5550. Sponsored by Inverness County Literacy Council.

Trivia Night sponsored by the Port Hastings Historical Society will be held at 7pm in the Port Hawkesbury Fire Hall on January 25th, February 22nd and March 29th. Team of 4 for $20.00...pre-register with Bob at 625-1220...Lots of fun and laughs.

Breakfast @ Evergreen Seniors Club - Sat . Jan. 25   from 9-12

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH 2014-2ND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

January 19^th, 2014-2^nd Sunday after Epiphany

Make a Joyful Noise

A thought around which to gather as we worship:

Best of any song

is bird song

in the quiet, but first

you must have the quiet.

From A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997, ©Wendell Berry 1998 

Counterpoint Berkeley

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       Responsive reading from A Song of Faith

Sung Response: Teach Me, God, to Wonder         VU 299 v.1

Teach me, God, to wonder, teach me, God, to see;

let your world of beauty capture me.

Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,

life be celebrated, joy you give.

God is Holy Mystery,

beyond complete knowledge,

above perfect description.

Yet,

in love,

the one eternal God seeks relationship.

So God creates the universe

and with it the possibility of being and relating.

God tends the universe,

mending the broken and reconciling the estranged.

God enlivens the universe,

guiding all things toward harmony with their Source.

Grateful for God’s loving action,

we cannot keep from singing.

Responsive Reading excerpted from A Song of Faith:

       A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada

Sung Response:  
Teach me, God, to wonder, teach me, God, to see;

let your world of beauty capture me.

Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,

life be celebrated, joy you give.

*Call to Worship

The winter scenes afford wonder and awe:

silence in falling snowflakes landing on our faces;

the glistening in the moonlight;

a gift of diamonds on the blanket of new-fallen snow;

the glitter of tree limbs in the snappy cold--

all from our Maker, Lord God,

giver of life and love.

What a beautiful creation!

Awe, praise, and worship,

awe, praise, and worship,

Father, Mother, Creator God.

Written by Brenda Duckworth, Wasuaksing & Shawanaga First Nations Churches, Parry Sound, Ont. Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2013-2014, page 41. Used with permission.

* Hymn           This Day God Gives Me           VU 410

Opening Prayer

The peace of morning's stillness

the peace of new beginnings

the peace of heaven's kiss

to welcome us to this day

to root us in this day

to free us in this day

that we may grow with the greening earth

that we may grow from the ground of glory

that we may grow in grateful wonder

of You

Gracious Giver of this day

Great Giver of this day. Amen.

Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace

© John Philip Newell 2011, The Canterbury Press, p. 50

* Hymn           Sing a New Song            Printed

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

1 Chronicles 16:23-34 Sing to the Lord all the earth

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Music Expresses Our Faith—a Reading from A Song of Faith

“We sing of God the Spirit..”

*Psalm 100           Make a Joyful Noise           VU 820

Opening the Word & Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 4:1-10 Worship the Lord your God and serve God only

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Music Expresses Our Faith—a Reading from A Song of Faith

“We sing of a church seeking to continue the story of Jesus...”

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn           Many Are the Lightbeams           VU 588

Minute for Mission

Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer (together)

Ever-present God, with this offering we present ourselves:

all that we have been, all that we are, all that we may become

and with it our commitment to follow your way. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

One: God, listen to your children praying...

Sung response: “Lord, listen to your children praying” VU 400

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn           How Great Thou Art           VU 238

* Commissioning and Benediction (together)

Let us go from this place to continue our worship in the world.

Let us go out with a Joyful Noise in our hearts and on our lips.

Let us go out blessed and to be a blessing to all whom we meet.

May the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with each of us, now and always.

* Choral Amen

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 12 2014

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Darren & Anne Blundon

(St. D.): Ian Mac Kinnon

Lay Reader (St. M.): Brenda Mac Innis

Lay Reader (St. D.): Wanda Radford

Collectors (St. M.): Darren & Anne Blundon,

Denis Bernard, Malcolm Matheson

Collectors (St. D.): Heather Graham, Kim Cameron

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is January 20^th at 1:00 P.M.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

THANK YOU! Nan and Bruce wish to thank the congregations of St. Mark's and St. David's for remembering us with Christmas bonus, gifts, cards and greetings. Thank you also to the choirs of both churches for their beautiful gifts. May you all be blessed in this new year with health, happiness, joy and peace.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jan. 21^st. – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting. (Annual Reports due at this meeting) 6:30 Executive, 7:00 Committees, 8:00 p.m. Combined Board.

FUNDSCRIP REPORT Order dates for January are Sunday January 5^th and 19^th and delivery dates are January 12^th and 26^th

Please contact Patsy Brander at 625- 1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join this program

Promotions for January are:

Teriyaki Experience 12% ( Regular 10% )

Chapters Indigo 8% ( Regular 5% )

Pier 1 Imports 7% ( Regular 5% )

Lay Readers for January & February:

January 19^th – Vida Hood

January 26^th – Connie Fowlie

February 2^nd – Jean Mac Pherson

February 9^th – Rebecca Roussy

February 16^th – Julia Mac Quarrie

February 23^rd – Archie Noseworthy

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

A box will be placed in the Narthex of the church for men’s socks, new or used in good shape.  The UCW will forward these to Brunswick St. Mission later in the winter.  Lets fill the box. 

St. David’s Lay Readers for January & February:

January 19 – Bruce Corrigan

January 26 – Alicia Vink

February 2 – Maxine Smith

February 9 – Iaian Langley

February 16 – Lisa Rhynold

February 23 – Maxine Smith

Saint David's Annual congregational meeting will be held following Church on Sunday Feb.2, 2014

 All reports are to be into the Church secretary by January 19, 2014

Please drop off at the Church office or bring to Church on the 19 of January and they will be delivered.

You can also E Mail your report to the office.

**********

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Worship Service, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Port Hawkesbury, Wednesday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. For just the third time in 100 years the Week of Prayer materials focus on Canada. This is a gathering of community churches, seeking to build up our mutual relationship in Christ through a celebration of song, word and gesture. Everyone welcome! Please bring 'finger food' to share at the reception.

211 is here to help you find the right community and social services.

Search for information on:

Financial and social assistance

Housing and utility help

Food assistance and meal programs

Seniors’ services and home care

Parenting and family programs

Government program assistance

Disability support services

Volunteer organizations

Newcomer services

Mental health support and much more…….

To find the community or social services you need dial 211 or visit ns.211.ca

“In the Dark of Winter” J. Franklin Wright Fibre Exhibition Jan 27 2014 - Mar 14 2014 Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre Opportunities for both amateurs and professionals, with categories for quilting, weaving, felting, rug hooking, knitting, spinning, and needlework. The entries are not juried. All entries following the guidelines in the prospectus are exhibited; however, they will be judged to award the prizes. The show is sponsored by the J. Franklin Wright Gallery. As part of this show we will be offering educational events, demonstrations and sale of entries. www.phcivic.com Registrations are due on or before January 17, 2014. The exhibit will run from January 27 to March 14, 2014.

Wish to Learn More about Computers? Learn all about E-mail, the Internet, and Skye? Classes will be offered at the Isle Madame Learning and Technology Centre/C@P Site on Thursday mornings (9:30 – 12:30) or Tuesday evenings (6:00 – 9:00) from February 11^th – May 8^th (12 weeks). Similar classes will be offered at the St. Peter’s Learning and Technology Centre/C@P Site on Friday mornings (9:30 – 12:30) or Wednesday evenings (6:00 – 9:00) starting on February 12^th. For more information or to register, please call the Richmond County Literacy Network at 226 - 0383 or 535-3304. No Fee. Class times and locations will depend on number of people registered.

ORDER OF SERVICE JANUARY 12TH 2014-BAPTISM OF JESUS SUNDAY

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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

January 12^th, 2014-Baptism of Jesus

A thought around which to gather as we worship: “All I want to say to you is, ‘You are the beloved,’ and all I hope is that you can hear these words as spoken to you with all the tenderness and force that love can hold. My only desire is to make these words reverberate in every corner of your being.”

(From Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

by Henri Nouwen. New York: Crossroad, 1992.)

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 Responsive reading from A Song of Faith

Sung Response: Out of Deep...         VU 453 Refrain only

                        There is water in the river

                        bringing life to tree and plant.

                        Let creation praise its giver:

                        there is water in the font. Water is poured into font

To point to the presence of the holy in the world,

the church receives, consecrates, and shares

visible signs of the grace of God.

In company with the churches

of the Reformed and Methodist traditions,

we celebrate two sacraments as gifts of Christ:

baptism and holy communion.

In these sacraments the ordinary things of life

—water, bread, wine—

point beyond themselves to God and God’s love,

teaching us to be alert

to the sacred in the midst of life.

Before conscious thought or action on our part,

we are born into the brokenness of this world.

Before conscious thought or action on our part,

we are surrounded by God’s redeeming love.

Baptism by water in the name of the Holy Trinity

is the means by which we are received, at any age,

into the covenanted community of the church.

It is the ritual that signifies our rebirth in faith

and cleansing by the power of God.

Baptism signifies the nurturing, sustaining,

and transforming power of God’s love

and our grateful response to that grace.

Responsive Reading excerpted from A Song of Faith:

       A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada

Sung Response: There is water in the river

                        bringing life to tree and plant.

                        Let creation praise its giver:

                        there is water in the font.

*Call to Worship             Based on Psalm 29

One: Ascribe to God glory and strength!

All: Worship God in the splendour of holiness!

One: God’s voice speaks in the midst of our chaos.

All: God’s voice flows like the living waters of grace.

One: May God give strength to the people.

All: May God bless the people with grace.

* Hymn            Arise, Your Light Is Come            VU 79

Opening Prayer

Creator God, the baptismal waters remind us of creation

and we remember you have created us as your people.

This is good news!

You sent your son, Jesus Christ, to be the presence of love among us and to show us how to be more loving.

This is good news!

You send your Spirit to teach us how to follow in your Way with our words and actions.

This is good news!

As we receive your good news, help us to be good news for others. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 42:1–9       God’s servant brings justice.

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 29       Ascribe to God all glory and strength      VU 756

Hymn            Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty            VU315

Opening the Word and the Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 3:13–17       Jesus is baptized.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

*The community is invited to come up to the bowl, dip fingers into the water and offer their own silent prayers of thanks for the gift of water.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

*Affirmation of Faith             A New Creed               VU 918

* Hymn            Jesus Came, A Child Like Me             VU 583

Minute for Mission

Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

Life-giving Spirit, may these gifts help us to be a light to the nations, open eyes that are blind, and bring release to the prisoners. Through the power of your Spirit, multiply our efforts that we might be tangible signs of your kingdom. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

One: In the small things, O God,

All: in water and bread and word, we find your promises
.

May we pour it, break it, and speak it, that the world may be renewed.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn            All Glory, Laud and Honour            VU 122

* Commissioning and Benediction

The God who created the waters of the world, the Christ of living waters, the Spirit of cleansing waters be with us now and always.

* Choral Amen

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 5TH 2014

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Darren & Anne Blunden

(St. D.): Ian Mac Kinnon

Lay Reader (St. M.): Denis Bernard

Lay Reader (St. D.): Julia Mac Kinnon

Collectors (St. M.): Darren & Anne Blunden,

Denis Bernard, Malcolm Matheson

Collectors (St. D.): Heather Graham, Kim Cameron

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is January 20^th at 1:00 P.M.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jan. 21^st. – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting. (Annual Reports due at this meeting) 6:30 Executive, 7:00 Committees, 8:00 p.m. Combined Board.

FUNDSCRIP REPORT 

Order dates for January are Sunday January 5^th and 19^th and delivery dates are January 12^th and 26^th

Please contact Patsy Brander at 625- 1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join this program 

Promotions for January are:

Teriyaki Experience 12% ( Regular 10% )

Chapters Indigo 8% ( Regular 5% )

Pier 1 Imports 7% ( Regular 5% )

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

A box will be placed in the Narthex of the church for men's socks, new or used in good shape.  The UCW will forward these to Brunswick St. Mission later in the winter.  Lets fill the box. 

St. David’s Lay Readers for January:

January 5 – Julia Mac Kinnon

January 12 – Wanda Radford

January 19 – Bruce Corrigan

January 26 – Alicia Vink

Saint David's congregational meeting will be held following Church on Sunday Feb.2, 2014

All reports are to be into the Church secretary by January 19, 2014

Please drop off at the Church office or bring to Church on the 19 of January and they will be delivered.

You can also E Mail your report to the office.

**********

“In the Dark of Winter” J. Franklin Wright Fibre Exhibition Jan 27 2014 - Mar 14 2014 Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre Opportunities for both amateurs and professionals, with categories for quilting, weaving, felting, rug hooking, knitting, spinning, and needlework. The entries are not juried. All entries following the guidelines in the prospectus are exhibited; however, they will be judged to award the prizes. The show is sponsored by the J. Franklin Wright Gallery. As part of this show we will be offering educational events, demonstrations and sale of entries. www.phcivic.com Registrations are due on or before January 17, 2014. The exhibit will run from January 27 to March 14, 2014.

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 5TH 2014-EPIPHANY SUNDAY

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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

January 5^th, 2014-Epiphany Sunday

A thought around which to gather as we worship— Scholar Frank A. Thomas wrote, “The star is a sign, a wonder, a revelation, a guidepost, a traffic light, a tracking device, a global positioning system (GPS) that brings us to the point and place of divine revelation about the Messiah. For the real meaning of Christmas, we must ‘follow the star.’”

What are some “stars” in your life? (could be mentors, friends, heroes, books)

How do you “follow the star”? How might you better follow it?How might our worshipping community better “follow the star”?

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2012 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation • Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2013–2014, p. 99

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.

*Call to Worship

One: We gather around a child, God-given,

world-defying, soul-saving.

Many: We gather around a child, who says to us,

“Don’t be anxious about your life.”

One: We gather around a child, a miracle

in the midst of human deeds and misdeeds, chaos, and questions.

Many: We gather around the Christ child,

whose very presence brings us to singing.

One: Come then, let us worship. Let us pray.

*Opening Prayer

Everlasting God, you brilliantly created, and yet more won­derfully restored, the dignity of human nature. In your mercy, help us share the divine life of Jesus the Christ who shared our humanity. Help us to understand more fully what it means that you are with us, Emmanuel. We love you, and we praise you. Amen.

* Hymn           Joy to the World            VU 59

Prayer for Wholeness

All: God of perfect light, lead us as we journey through life. Forgive us when, like Herod, selfish ambition makes us willing to hurt and destroy others. Forgive us when, unlike the magi, we refuse to follow the light you give us. Shine in our lives through the light of your Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Words of Affirmation

With light, truth, and grace, God surrounds us with a love that will not let us go. Today God calls us each by name, welcomes us to the manger and into the family of faith, and grants us a peace that the world cannot give.

All: Thanks be to God.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 60:1–6 Arise, shine; for your light has come.

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 72      God’s anointed defends the poor. pts.1, 2   VU 790

Hymn           O Come, All Ye Faithful          VU 60

Opening the Word and the Lord’s Prayer

A Litany of the Three

Matthew 2:1–12 The visit of the Magi.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

We Lay Down Gifts

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn            Just a Closer Walk with Thee           Printed

Minute for Mission

Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

Gather up our love, our praise, our hopes, our fears, even our best epiphanies. God, we give it all to you. And we feel you reflecting that love back to us, more manifold than we can imagine. In the name of the Christ child we pray. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn            Hark! The Herald Angels Sing            VU 48

We Have Beheld a Wonder

* Commissioning and Benediction

We have seen the signs and followed them

and they brought us together as a community.

We have met the Messiah

and it has made all the difference.

As we go from this place and time

the love of God, the grace of Jesus,

and the community of the Spirit goes with us

to move in new directions of light and love.

* Choral Amen