Epiphany Sunday January 3, 2016, 10:30 am
Meditation
The stars are constantly shining, but often we do not see them until the dark hours. —Earl Riney
FROM THERE TO HERE
Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship. We’re glad that you are here today. You are invited to rise in body or in spirit as you are able and willing at points in the service marked “ *.”
Please sign in using the pew folder, passing it back down the row so all can greet one another by name, and place the sheet in an offering plate.
Prelude Prelude and Fugue in B Flat Major J.S. Bach
* Call to Worship
One: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon you.
All: For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; But God will arise upon us, and God’s glory will appear over us.
One: See now the light and glory of God.
All: God within; God without;
God behind; God before;
God below; God above:
God be with us now. Amen.
* Opening Hymn #163 Black Many Are the Lightbeams LIGHTBEAMS
* Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: Gracious God, we would like to be among those who saw the coming of the Christ Child, those who dropped all that they were doing and traveled to worship the coming of God’s love into this world. We would like to be those who cared for God in infant vulnerability, who tickled and cuddled and comforted the growing child, that he might know love and safety. And sometimes, through your grace, we have been.
One: And yet, merciful God, we must recognize all the times we are more like Herod. Whenever we, in our actions or in our inactions, find our own need for control more compelling than the needs of others for health and safety. Whenever we cling to the security of our privilege, rather than standing up for the rights of the oppressed. Whenever we are complicit in the harming of innocents for the sake of profit, or power, or because we fear to know, and to change, the injustices of this world.
All: God of Epiphany, we confess our sins against you and one another, and pray that you will shine into our darkness and fill us with your light. Guide us, O God, that we may live our lives as true disciples in your name, without counting the cost. In the name of Christ, the one who showed us the way, we pray. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy
* Words of Assurance
One: God’s light is present in this world. Present in the Christ child, born to lead us out of darkness. Present in the star, in all that guides us to love.
All: God’s light is in the world, and the darkness did not overcome it. God’s grace is in the world, and our mis-steps will not overcome it. We are loved, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.
*Passing the Peace of Jesus Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace and joy.
THE WORD IN OUR MIDST
Special Music Brightest and Best
1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
2. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining; Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.
3. Shall we not yield Him, In costly devotion
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?
4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Ephesians 3:1-2
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.
Following Children’s Moment, children grades K-5 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in Cowan Chapel. Otherwise, children are welcome to visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel or Nursery after the service.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Following Yonder Star Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
GIFTS GIVEN FOR LOVE TO FLOW
Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastors and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
* Doxology To God all glorious heavenly light; OLD HUNDREDTH
To Christ revealed in earthly night;
To God the spirit now we raise
Our grateful hymn of thankful praise. Amen.
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
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 them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: Friends, we may not have traveled as far as the magi. We may not bring gifts befitting a king or queen. Yet before this sacred feast and within the arresting presence of the Christ, we are left with the same choices: to return to our homes unaffected or to be changed forever by the piercing light of ingathering love.
Let us now still our hearts and sit with mystery and with grace.
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 Prayer and Prayers of the Community
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 guides all who are searching for your way.
One: When we faltered, when we lost that path, you sent prophets and teachers, some poor as shepherds, others wise as Magi to aid us on our journey.
One: We give you great thanks for the light that shines through Jesus, who is true light and the bright morning star, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, to whom we sing for joy.
Sanctus Please Join in Singing
Communion Prayer
One: We give thanks that Jesus dwelled amongst us, and not just those who were ready, or well-to-do, or educated, but spent his life in the company of common folk, seeking and speaking of your love.
One: On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,
All: “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
All: “This cup is the new covenant of my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: God of all, awake to the dawning light of this Epiphany season, we gather around your table, mindful of both consequence and conviction.
One: For this unveiling, this seeing, cannot leave us the same as we were. The gods we have clutched, and the dominions of self-service we have built, fall and dissolve into shallow trivialities alongside the deep ways of humility and mercy, that is the gift and ministry of Christ in our midst.
Come then, O Holy One. In the breaking of this bread;
All: be our nourishment and generosity.
One: In the sharing of this cup;
All: be our joy and courage on the hard paths homeward.
One: Claim our vision,
All: enflame our hearts for a renewed and just world
One: and be a true and guiding light for all.
All: Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice.
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. The elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: In your service we arise and shine, O Lord of light and truth. We thank you for this meal together. In all that we seek, in all that we share, may the star of your Christ be our guide. Amen.
FROM HERE TO THERE
*Closing Hymn #159 Black As with Gladness Those of Old DIX
* Benediction
Postlude Fanfare in D Major J. Lemmens
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Especially in our prayers
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. Let us hold the people of Ghana and Nigeria and our brothers and sisters at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin
George Oberst
Elizabeth Long’s brother, Jay, whose cancer has metastasized
Cassandra Jaggers, with aggressive breast cancer
The Coynes’ neighbor, Sheila Johnson, fighting breast cancer
Marlene Payne and her family
Kelly Ambrose
George Hardman
John Hillman
Terry Allen Wattts
Rochelle Seals, undergoing treatment for breast cancer
Dexton May
Jimmie Lewis, at the death of her sister
Victoria, daughter of dear friends of Dodie Murphy who passed away after a gran mal seizure at age 17.
Dodie Murphy’s cousin, Jean Monahan, facing surgery at 79
Linda Landree, relative of Dodie Murphy, hospitalized in NJ with serious medication problems.
Dodie Murphy’s grandson’s father, CJ, is in dire straights in NJ.
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Join the church next week! New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is January 10. YOU are welcome here!
Next 4th Sunday New Member/Potential Member session will be January 24.
Your Talents are needed! The Nominating Board invites you to follow the link on the Union Church website https://union-church.org/bearing-the-light-through-service-sign-up-now/ and take the survey to let us know what talents and skills you may like to contribute to the ongoing work of the Church. Please respond by January 15, 2016.
Epiphany Potluck & Old Christmas Party Wednesday, January 6, 5:45 pm!! Bring food to share, songs to sing, stories to tell! Watch for more details!
All Y’All Faith Day Jan. 17 Everyone is invited to join in the fun and reflection at the next All Y’All Faith Day, January 17th right after church. We will begin with a snack lunch in the Community Room. Then our guest facilitators will lead us in interactive and thought-provoking games and activities about race and diversity.
We hope to begin a discussion by listening to other’s stories, getting a sense of where we each are on a privilege spectrum, and contemplating where Union Church is in all this. Our discussion will be better if people of all ages and perspectives join in. For more information talk to Rev. Rachel or Kim Kobersmith. Sponsored by the Faith Development Board
Want to Help Usher? Read? Light Candles? Wash Dishes? Help with Food? VOLUNTEER SPOT! Signing up for service is easy using volunteer spot at Union Church. Here’s the link to the new page for Christmas Volunteering! Sign-ups on VolunteerSpot: https://www.volunteer spot.com/login/entry/977303128029
Widows’ Group. We are starting a new monthly group for widows/widowers. If you are interested, you are invited to contact Debbonnaire Kovacs 859-779-0793. The group will meet the third Tuesday of each month, at 1 pm, in the Wayside Room. (Next meeting Jan. 19.)
“Black Lives Matter” yard signs. Union Church, in our ongoing commitment to our history and work for justice, has “Black Lives Matter” yard signs available for $10 You can pick them up at the church office. Donations should be made to Union Church with the notation of Racial Justice Fund in the memo.
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