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 5th, 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
