A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Epiphany Sunday Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
January 5, 2014 10:30 am
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Creator of the Stars of Night, Thy People’s Everlasting Light Plainsong Mod. VIII
* Call to Worship
One: God is our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear?
All: God is our shelter and refuge on the days of trouble, and our hope and joy on the days of celebration!
One: Day after day, we seek God’s face and the assurance of God’s holy love:
All: O God, do not turn from us or hide your face from us. Be our guide and our light instead!
One: One thing we ask of God:
All: That we may live in God’s dwelling place all the days of our life, and never cease to behold the beauty of God’s home.
One: Beloved of God, enter this worship in thanksgiving for God is among and within us!
All: Thanks be to God!
~inspired by Psalm 27, written by Elizabeth Dilley
* Hymn #159 Black As With Gladness Those of Old Dix
* Prayer of 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 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: Loving God, we confess our sins against you and one another, and pray that you will fill us with your light, 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.
* 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.
~ inspired by Matthew 2:1-18, written by Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy
* Passing the Peace of Jesus Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Anthem Sing We Now of Christmas arr. John A. Ricketts Union Church Choir
Chorus: Sing we Noel, the King is Born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!
1. Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here. Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear.
2. Angels called to shepherds, “Leave your flocks at rest; Journey forth to Bethl’hem,
find the child so blest.”
3. In Bethlehem they found Him; Joseph and Mary mild seated ‘round the manger, watching the holy Child.
4. From the eastern country came the kings afar, bearing gifts to Bethl’hem,
guided by a star.
5. Gold and myrrh they took there, gifts of greatest price; there was ne’er a stable so like paradise.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6
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, Little Church for children Preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel. If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form. Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Home By Another Way Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Offertory Noel Louis Claude Daquin
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
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 #795 Black Please Join in Singing
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.
Communion Music For Everyone Born Shirley Erena Murray
Union Church Choir
1. For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead,
2. For woman and man, a place at the table, revising the roles, deciding to share, with wisdom and grace, dividing the power, for woman and man, a system that’s fair, Refrain
3. For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong, Refrain
4. For just and unjust, a place at the table. abuser, abused, with need to forgive, in anger, in hurt, a mind-set of mercy, for just and unjust, a new way to live, Refrain
5. For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free,
Refrain
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. 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. 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.
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 bread and juice 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 with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting the pastor.
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.
* Closing Hymn Brightest and Best (next page)
* Benediction
Postlude Toccata on ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ Don Hustad
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 Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Iran and Iraq and our brothers and sisters at Farristown Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Lauri McVicker and Rhonda Edwards, who were legally married on December 26! Congratulations!
* Ruth Butwell, recovering well at home after hip replacement
* Judy Rowell
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, fighting cancer
* Erin Hay
* Linda Parsons, recovering at home
* Michelle Tooley, awaiting cancer treatment
* Dawn Manor, Dot Kindel’s daughter, as she recovers and they adjust to a new home
* Naomi Brandenburg, Larry’s mother, recovering at home after hip replacement
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Berea Health Care Center
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Klara Welsh, at Berea Health Care Center
* Bernice Robertson, at Berea Health Care Center
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
What’s Happening with Music? With Larry’s retirement, Union Church is experiencing another transition in our music program. We can view this as a great opportunity! Join Rev. Rachel and Gina Chamberlain for a discussion on January 12th after church. This conversation will focus mostly on the choir (what to sing, when to meet, how to be open to all who like to sing), but there will be opportunities to share general thoughts and hopes about music, too. Bring food and opinions to share!
Explore Epiphany! On Wednesday Nights after WNL, about 7pm, Debbonnaire Kovacs will lead a small group that explores all sorts of things about Epiphany: what does the word mean? How has it been used? How did it get connected with the magi? Are there some times we feel we’ve had epiphanies in our lives? It promises to be a great experience of spiritual growth. The group will run from Jan. 8th through Feb. 12th.
Leave a Reply