Order of Worship
Sunday, January 3, 2021: Epiphany Sunday
January 6 is Epiphany, when we celebrate Jesus receiving gifts from the magi who were guided by a star. To celebrate Epiphany, we invite each of you to receive a star word gift. See page 33 of the devotional guide for more information and email Anne Keener (
[email protected]) to receive your star word for 2021.
We have provided the written copy of the sermon (by clicking the sermon title) for those who would like to follow along during the service. To read past sermons, click here.
Pouring of the Water
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude: "Still, Still, Still", Paul Manz
Call to Worship:
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Shine in our lives, Lord Jesus Christ.
Opening Hymn 134: "Joy to the World" (Verses 1 and 4)
Prayer of the Day:
Creating God, source of truth and giver of life,
by your Word you brought all things into being.
Enlighten us by the power of your Holy Spirit
so that we may believe your Word made flesh
and receive the fullness of abundant grace;
through Jesus Christ, the beginning and the end. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession:
God our Savior, we confess
that we fail to live in your light.
Christ has come into the world,
and yet we do not know him.
He has called us to be his own,
and yet we do not trust him.
Forgive us, God of grace.
Shape us by your Word of truth,
seal us with your Holy Spirit,
and let us live to show your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Hymn of Praise 113: "Angels We Have Heard on High"
Prayer for Illumination:
Holy One,
as you have come to dwell among us in Jesus Christ,
so now send the Spirit of your Son
to enlighten our minds and inspire our hearts
in the hearing of your Word.
Help us not only to hear the gospel,
but to live it for the sake of Christ,
your Word made flesh. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith:
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the People:
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.
Offering
Click here to give your tithes and offerings online.
Offertory Music: "What is this Lovely Fragrance", Paul Manz
Closing Hymn 147: "The First Noel" (Verses 1 and 6)
Benediction
Postlude: "He Whom Shepherds Came Praising", Paul Manz
