January 4, 2025
Prelude: The First Nowell/Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Gehrke/J.M. Bach/Sicher
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Isaiah 60:1-3, 19]
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 rise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
The Lord will be our everlasting light, and our God will be our glory.
Let us worship the LORD!
What Star Is This (Hymn 68)
Coffin/Trier ms., 15th century
What star is this, with beams so bright, more lovely than the noonday light?
‘Tis sent to announce a newborn King, glad tidings of our God to bring.
‘Tis now fulfilled what God decreed, “From Jacob shall a star proceed”;
And lo! The Eastern sages stand to read in heaven the Lord’s command.
O Jesus, while the star of grace impels us on to seek Your face,
Let not our slothful hearts refuse the guidance of Your light to use.
To God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in one,
May every tongue and nation raise an endless song of thankful praise.
Confession
Enlightening God, you sent a star to guide the wise and a child to topple a tyrant. Make us wise enough to seek you among the least of your children, and wise enough to trade our treasure for the gift of overwhelming joy. Forgive us when we are too busy to seek you, when we are forgetful of your love, when we hurt each other and perpetrate injustice in the world. Restore and strengthen us to live in your light and walk in your truth through Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Silence
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (Hymn 28)
Medieval Latin/German folk tune
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Christmas Doxology
(from Angels, from the Realms of Glory)
Salisbury Hymn Book/Smart
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son
Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Alida Gowan
Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1–6
New Testament: Matthew 2:1-12
We Three Kings of Orient Are (Hymn 66)
Hopkins
We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Refrain:
O- star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never over us all to reign. (refrain)
Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies. (refrain)
Sermon: Already, Not Yet
Rev. John Owen
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Solo: Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love
Carmichael
Carollen Ryan, soprano; Christina Heid, flute
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Ruth Seignemartin
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. -Luke 2:52
Sending: As With Gladness Men of Old (Hymn 63)
Dix/Kocher
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy, pure, and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no start to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hide.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: As With Gladness Men of Old
Pelz
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