Bulletin – Sunday, January 5, 2020

Sunday, January 5, 2020
Epiphany / Communion

Approach

Gathering Song VU #91 – “The First Nowell”

Welcome, lighting the candle and announcements

Call to Worship

One: Gracious God, blessed are we

All: who come to humble ourselves before you.

One: Blessed are we.

All: who acknowledge that we do not know everything.

One Blessed are we.

All: who yearn for your love which restores.

One: We come together to be attentive to your presence, to receive and delight in your Word and in the teaching of Jesus.

All: Blessed are we, as we worship you, our Gracious God.

Opening Hymn VU #81 – “As With Gladness Men of Old”

Prayer of Approach and Confession

We have just come through the season of Advent, when we received the gift of hope, peace, joy, and love. A long, long time ago, the Magi gave valuable material gifts to Jesus, and in return received the gift of a dream that lead them on a new path. What gifts, material and spiritual, are we willing to give today? What gift are we willing to receive? Loving God we are created in your image, yet too often in this world, we do not reflect the light of your gift of our lives. Instead of being beacons in the night, sometimes we are in danger of snuffing out what light is left. Loving God, free us from the shadows that lie in all our hearts, so we will reveal to the world the light that is your love and together renew this world. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Passing the Peace

Time for All Ages

Hymn VU#82 – “A Light is Gleaming”

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “Light and Dark”

The Response

Offering / Response: “What Can I Give Him” (VU #55)

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him – give my heart.

Offering Prayer

Come, O Holy One, be our light, be our guide. Receive our gifts. They are the work of our hands and the commitment of our hearts. We bring not gold, but money. We bring not frankincense but our devotion. We bring not myrrh but our lifelong dedication. May we serve, through these gifts, with confidence and humility. Amen.

Communion

All: We remind one another: Jesus welcomes everyone at this table. No one is turned away. If you seek God’s presence, come and eat. If you are hungry for this spiritual food, come and eat. If you have questions and doubts, come and eat. If you feel unworthy, come and eat. This table is spread for all of us that we each might experience God’s abundant and unconditional love.

One: We give you thanks, O God…praise your holy name:

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who come in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer after Sharing

Generous and Loving God, we thank you that you have blessed our world with so many gifts. Send us forth into the world that we might spread the good news of your love and care to all. Amen.

Closing Hymn VU #92 – In the Darkness Shines the Splendour”

Commissioning / Benediction

Response “O Light of Nations, Fill the Earth” (VU #84)

O Light of Nations, fill the earth;
Our faith and hope and love renew.
Come, lead the peoples to your peace,
As stars once led the way to you.