Worship - January 12, 2014

Worship Order for Sunday

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
January 12, 2014
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

Epiphany

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.” (Matthew 2:1)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) "Christ, whose glory fills the skies" 216
Announcements
Prelude

Call to Worship

*Praise Song "Shine, Jesus, Shine" (insert)

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Ephesians 3:1-12

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

  Prayer Song                (vs. 3) “There’s a song in the air”
                            In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
                        and that song from afar has swept over the world.
                            Ev’ry hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
                           in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

Pastoral Prayer

For Children "The Legend of Old Befana"

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

Hymn "We three kings of Orient are" (insert)

Scripture Matthew 2:1-12

Message "Wisdom along the way" (mp3)

*Hymn "As with gladness men of old" 218

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

NOTE - this worship was originally planned for January 5, 2014. Due to freezing rain that morning, services were cancelled. However, 13 hardy souls missed the cancellation announcement and made it anyway. A combined worship/Bible study/prayer meeting thus erupted in the church library, based around the International lesson for the day. With joy, we try again to remember together the visit of the Magi, and to ponder where (and in whom) we are visited by wisdom in our work/school/ neighborhood today... Whereas Advent is a journey inward and upward - repenting from sin and anticipating the coming of Christ, Epiphany is a journey outward - seeking where God is in the world around us. May this be a season for open eyes, minds, hearts, and hands.

Call to Worship
Isaiah 60:1-6

1 - Jerusalem. Stand up! Shine!

2 - Your new day is dawning.

1 - The glory of the Lord shines brightly on you.

2 - The earth and its people are covered with darkness,

1 - but the glory of the Lord is shining upon you.

2 - Nations and kings will come to the light of your dawning day.

1 - The Lord said:

2 - Open your eyes! Look around! Crowds are coming.

1 - Your sons are on their way from distant lands;

2 - your daughters are being carried like little children.

1 - When you see this, your faces will glow;

2 - your hearts will pound and swell with pride.

1 - Treasures from across the sea and the wealth of nations will be brought to you.

2 - Your country will be covered with caravans of young camels from Midian and Ephah.

1 - The people of Sheba will bring gold and spices in praise of me, the Lord.

2 - Every sheep of Kedar will come to you;

1 - rams from Nebaioth will be yours as well.

2 - I will accept them as offerings and bring honor to my temple,

1 - says the Lord.

2 - What is that sailing by like clouds or like doves flying home?

1 - On those distant islands your people are waiting for me, the Lord.

2 - Seagoing ships lead the way to bring them home with their silver and gold.

1 - I, the holy Lord God of Israel, do this

2 - to honor your people, so they will honor me.

Opening Prayer

Your Word, O God,
      is like a lamp that illuminates our pathway,
            helping us to travel near and far.
Your Spirit flickers
      like a flame upon our heads,
            inspiring us to try un-thought-of possibilities,
                  failing at some, but succeeding at others,
                        having learned from our failures.
Your Love is a flame
      that sets our hearts afire,
            making us bold and brave
                  and willing to follow your star
                        into as-yet-unknown places.
Bless this time, O Lord,
      as we gather around your Word,
            led by your Spirit,
                  empowered by your Love,
                        in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

For Children
"The Legend of Old Befana"

In this well loved European folk tale, retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, an Italian grandmother meets the kings, then spends the rest of her life leaving cakes and cookies for children during the night on January 6.

suggested by Carolyn Brown in her blog, Worshiping with Children

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

We turn again to Psalm 72, having visited it nearly a month ago on the second Sunday of Advent. Today, we hear the first seven verses repeated, a prayer for the kingdom of Israel and its leader. Verses 10-14 expands the picture to include other nations and peoples, and reminds God’s people of the Lord’s mandate to care for the poor and the weak. The early church made a connection between these words and the Messiah they followed. May we listen as his disciples, also.

read Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Let’s ponder this Psalm as the ushers come forward to receive the gifts we present.

Benediction

With gladness on this Epiphany Sunday,
      be led to wherever the light of Christ shines.
            Wise men and women abound in our lives,
                  if only we have eyes to behold them,
                        for sometimes they enter our lives
                              in interesting ways,
                        and may be the persons we’d least expect
                              God to shine through.
      May we become such wise women and men
            for others who seek.

Continue listening to what God has to say.
      Be led by the Holy Spirit
            and empowered by the Love of God in Christ.
                  Go forth in Jesus’ name.
                        Amen.