A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
January 4, 2026
10:30 am
Epiphany Sunday
Meditation
“Fear is the primary force upholding structures of domination…The choice to love is a choice to connect—to find ourselves in the other.” ~ bell hooks
From There to Here: We Gather
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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. We’re glad you’re here! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
¨ The Call Charles Hoffman, Reader
One: The magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus.
All: May we, too, be led to move closer to Jesus.
One: We trust that God guides and speaks in many ways.
All: May we actively seek God’s presence among us.
One: Let us contemplate the ways God might be moving in the world.
All: May we reflect the presence of God in all that we do.
One: In this new year let us find and follow the stars of God’s call and in this hour let us worship the God of leading Light.
¨ Hymn #159 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,
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 spring.
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
One: Ever-loving God, we long for Christmas to portend a new year of peace and joy. We confess, however, that fears set aside for the season, rise once again. They cloud our hearts and they obscure our vision.
So today we pray—
All: Forgive us when fear wrenches us out of being our best self.
Forgive us when our own fear prevents us from following your call.
Forgive us when we let fear be louder than love in our ears.
Help us instead to turn our fear into action. In your mercy,
show us how to live and act like the wise who searched for you in a fearful world.
Help us find our way home by a path lit with love, we pray. Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: In a world of troubles, God’s loving light is boundless and shines through in every condition: fair or foul.
If we have mis-stepped, God can shine the light and send us home by another way, far from the errors greed or cruelty.
This forgiveness is for all who seek it by Christ’s mercy and action. Let us be glad in the Work of Christmas and the Light of that Star.
All: Amen!
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Special Music Brightest and Best Jean Ritchie
2. Cold on His Cradle the dew-drops 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.
@1940, 1964 J. Ritchie Geordie Music Publishing Co.
Scripture Reading 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 on 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.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, 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 wise men 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 at its rising, 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.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Fear Cannot Stop Us Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard and reflect together.
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 to give God thanks and praise.
Call to Prayer
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 Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine and our siblings at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
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 even through fear, 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
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.
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 your seat, or you may come forward for a blessing, as you wish.
Living Prayer
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: easytithe.com/union
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¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering an amount and a click.
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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
Star Words For All!
During prayer or communion you are invited to draw a “Star Word” from the baskets around the sanctuary. You can allow the word you pick to be a focus, or a lens, as the year unfolds, or perhaps the word may represent a needed gift in your life. Here is a meditation you can use as you contemplate and pray:
Holy God,
you always show up.
Even in our fear,
even in times of uncertainty,
even when we can’t seem to take the next step,
you are with us.
You are behind us, before us, and beside us,
hemming us in with your love.
As we sit with these star words, open our hearts to the wisdom they hold.
Keep our minds nimble and flexible,
awake to the constellation of meanings we may find in a single word.
May they challenge us, comfort us, and call us forward.
Let these words be a reminder of your presence with us.
May they give us courage and guidance for the year ahead.
Let them shine in the dark, pointing us toward you.
And at the end of this year, may we look back at the paths we took
and see how in every moment, you journeyed with us.
Gratefully we pray, amen.
From “A Sanctified Art”
¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
To God all glorious heavenly Light,
To Christ revealed in earthly night,
To God the Spirit now we raise
Our joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.
Community Prayer of Thanksgiving Charles Hoffman, Reader
Creator of the stars of night, shine yet for us in the Light needed for this day.
When our fears grow strong and reason seems so far away, guide our steps to wisdom.
As we travel through the new year grant that our fears might never turn us back from the work of Love-In-Action. Our fears our many, but your lovelight is bright; bright enough to show the way even when we are afraid. Show us what gifts we may offer. Show us how we might with courage and heart make a difference. Show us how to honor and protect the weakest and vulnerable. As the year unfolds, may we be closer to your just realm and your peaceable kin-dom. Jesus is our guiding star in this. Give us strength for the weary, and healing for our sick that we may travel his way with bold steps, never turning back. We pray all this in the way he taught us to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn #164 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.
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we honor the Board members, volunteers and community members who support Room in the Inn. Beginning its eighth year, RITI’s vision is of a world in which every person is housed. Their mission is to provide hospitality and emergency shelter to our unhoused neighbors in the winter months. See the announcements to find our how YOU can help!
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response you’re invited to join in singing:
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.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Dave Reilly’s nephew, Herb Post, ill with kidney cancer that has spread to his lung.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ 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.
¨ That the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East may hold; and those suffering receive the aid they need.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Bruce and Kelley Hoefer, and all the family, at the death of Betsy Hoefer. A remembrance will be held over the summer.
¨ The Morgan and Brashear families, as they grieve the passing of Lois Morgan. Her life was celebrated at ta service on Dec. 31, with Rev. Kent officiating.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Sara Parker, Hattie Parks, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: January 6 – Dorothy Chao; 7 – Christine Ward, Eliana Saderholm; 9 – Karen Edwards, Donna Lovell; 10 – Whitney McKnight, MacGregor Lakes, Julia Whaley-Jones
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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