A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
New Year’s Day A Celebration of Epiphany
Meditation
I suppose when we take on January 1 the world will look the same. But there is a reminder of the Resurrection at the start of each new year, each new decade. That’s why I also like sunrises, Mondays, and new seasons. God seems to be saying, “With me you can always start fresh.” ~ Ada Lum
From There to Here: We Gather
Welcome
Prelude
¨ Call to Worship
One: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
All: In time we are born, in time we die. We plant, we pluck, rend and restore, break down and build up. There is a time for each.
One: With the passing of the years we take time: time to weep, and time to laugh; time to mourn, and time to dance;
All: There is a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to hold back;
One: a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
All: There comes to us all a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; our lives are filled with times of love and hate; the fury of wars, and the rage for peace.
One: This time: what will it be? In time: who shall we become? And when we step out of time: what joys will we carry forward, what labors will have been worth the cost?
All: All times wrap the gifts of God. For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose. The year changes, the star shifts, the Lord calls, and we follow into this time, rejoicing.
¨ Opening Hymn #159 Black As with Gladness Those of Old Dix
1 As with gladness those of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright,
so, true Morning Star, may we
evermore your splendor see.
2 As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before
one whom heaven and earth adore,
so may we with willing feet
ever seek your mercy seat.
3 As they offered gifts most rare
at that manger plain and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin’s alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you from whom they springing.
4 Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and, when mortal things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds your glory hide.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
All: O Shining Light, we give thanks for the light of this new day and of this new year.
One: We seek the star of eternal love, and pray to follow the light of justice and peace as we travel. We long to lay aside the failures and fractures of our past.
All: We confess that we have walked errantly, sought that which we knew would not satisfy, and have misused our gifts in ways that have hurt, rather than healed others.
One: We would turn now, and follow the Light. We pray your help to both forgive and be forgiven that we may walk forward in joy. Like the wise ones of old, help us seek until we find where Christ is laid in our world, in our ways, and in our hearts.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Hymn #417 Black This Is a Day of New Beginnings Beginnings (alt. 4th verse for Communion Sunday)
- This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember, and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone.
2. For by the life and death of Jesus, God’s mighty Spirit, now as then, can make for us a world of difference as faith and hope are born again.
3. Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring, step from the past, and leave behind our disappointment, guilt and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find.
4. In faith we’ll gather round the table to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
The Living Word Among Us
Special Music
Draw Near, All Ye People Jeremy Sturgill, singer
¨ Scripture Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord. has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together; they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Children’s Moment As the children return to their seats we sing
May God’s presence guard, protect and guide you. God bless you, God bless you. Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘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.’ ”
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.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.” When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Sermon Showing Up Shining Rev. Kent Gilbert
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift our hearts in prayer.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is good and right to give God thanks and praise!
Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998). A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers
In the silence each person is invited to “cast forward” a prayer into the new year. What blessing might you particularly like to note and attend to? Is there a theme for this coming year you hope to live into? What fears do you bring, and what light would make them easier to bear? What gifts do you bring with you from the past? What will you offer as you seek the rising star?
Communion Prayer
One: Gracious God, who quickens the faith that brought Magi from the east, who kindles the hope that brought captives from exile, and who inspires the love that brings strangers together, we thank you for the light that guided those searching for the truth. We thank you for sending prophets and teachers, angels and magi to lead us into the way of salvation.
One: We praise you for the light that shines through time and history; for leading us year to changing year by the bright morning star, Jesus Christ. We sing praises as we begin this new year of your call and promise.
Sanctus Please Join in Singing
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 comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
One: Holy one, you who are in every gathering where joy is spread and hope is kindled, you were present when the wise arrived with gifts for sharing. We remember the bread of journeys and the wine of new discoveries. Later in his life, on the precipice of new beginnings and dangerous dealings, we remember that Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it among those gathered and said,
All: “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Not just the daily bread, but also the cup of celebration is passed to us: new life, flowing like joy, and looking like company. Amongst those same friends, he took a cup, and giving thanks, said,
All: “This cup is a new covenant of my life and blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord until he comes.
One: Gracious God, by this meal we recall Jesus’ birth, his ministry to all on the margins, and his promise of eternal life and light. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup, that we who eat and drink at this holy table may share the life of Christ, our Lord.
One: Pour out your Spirit upon the whole earth and bring in your new year, and your creation. Gather us together from the ends of the earth and the limits of our understanding; gather us into your kingdom where peace and justice are revealed in all; gather us that we, with all your people of every language, race, and nation, may share the banquet you intend for all. Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit within your tradition. You may remain in you seat, or you may come forward for a blessing, as you wish.
Offering Music Brightest and Best
Community Prayer
All: In your service we arise and shine, O Lord of light and truth. We thank you for this meal together, for the light we follow, for the new beginning afforded to each and every one of us in each and every day. In all that we seek, in all that we share, may the star of your Christ be our guide.
May we show up shining at the bedsides and stables, in the halls of pretense and power, in the long marches to freedom and quiet silences of need. Help your people shine for the sake of a better world and a clearer vision this year. In humility we walk one more step toward you: alight with gratitude, ever seeking, bearing gifts for a kingdom yet unseen.
Walking toward Jesus and with your Christ, we enter this new year praying as he showed us, reaching to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
From Here to There: We Depart
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
On this first day of the New Year it is good to renew our commitment to Peace and Justice. These words of Sargent Shriver remind us why we recognize someone or some organization working for justice. In a speech in 1974 he said “The failure to provide justice is not just an abstraction. It has serious consequences. Justice releases creativity, spurs us to action and generates harmony. Injustice causes anger and frustration. Injustice festers and rankles. It makes life intolerable and bereft of dignity. Injustice breeds violence, sows the seeds of rebellion. Justice also means safe food and safe drugs, safe housing and safe appliances, safe job sites and safe air and water.”
Hymn #164 Black Arise, Your Light Is Come Festal Song
1 Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit’s call obey;
show forth the glory of your God
which shines on you today!
2 Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captive’s liberty,
good tidings to the poor.
3 Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
bind up the brokenhearted ones
and comfort those who mourn.
4 Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing,
God’s power will make us strong.
Benediction
Postlude
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Each week we join millions of Christians who pray for one another through the ecumenical prayer cycle and, locally, the Berea Ministerial Association’s prayer cycle (Link to World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle. (union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine and our brothers & sisters at Calvary Apostolic Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Rita Barlow, still undergoing cancer treatment at UK.
¨ Jess Burton, her partner, Jake, and their little girl, Lila, who has serious gastric issues; and Jake, recovering from respiratory and other health issues.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Doug Hindman, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Patsy Boyce, sister-in-law of Bob and Jean Boyce, undergoing chemotherapy.
¨ Praise & gratitude for the willing hands & hearts helping clean and save the sanctuary from further damage! There are angels among us! Hallelujah!
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy! Birthdays: Today, January 1 – Jerry Cooper; 3 – Rebekah Easton-Hogg; 5 – Loyal Jones; 6 – Dorothy Chao; 7 – Christine VanPelt-Ward, Eliana Saderholm
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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