MUSIC PRELUDE
(A time for quiet reflection and
preparation for worship)
CALL TO WORSHIP
:
Wise and Gracious God we come to you this morning following the footsteps
of those who followed a star. Those Wise souls
Who brought Gold for his Royalty
Who brought frankincense for his Divinity
Who brought myrrh for his Mortality.
Today we celebrate the revelation of Your only begotten Son,
Your humble power made manifest.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
-
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship
of the holy spirit be with you…
And also with you
HYMN
: "The First Nowell" V.U. 91
SANCTUS
: (Holy, Holy, Holy)
CHIDREN'S TIME
CHILDREN'S PRAYER
LORD'S PRAYER
ANTHEM
:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVITATION TO INVEST IN GOD'S MISSION
OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
HYMN:
"As with Gladness Men of Old" V.U. 81
PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 2:1-12
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Visit of the Wise Men
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 Messiahwas 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 menand 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.
MESSAGE:"3 Magi walk into Bethlehem"
HYMN
: "Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies" V.U. 336
COMMISSIONING & CHORAL RESPONSE
: V.U. 971
POSTLUDE:
(A time to quietly reflect on all that you have
experienced this morning)
