Today's Order of Worship

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Order of Worship

7 January 2024

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WELCOME TO SHADOW ROCK UCC! Today we begin our

new year with communion and receiving a guiding word for our spiritual journey. We hope you are blessed.

WHAT ARE STAR WORDS?

The Magi followed a star which led them to Jesus. The church

season of Epiphany centers around this story. With this story in the background, we will use our own stars to guide us. Star words are intention words, guiding words, or meditation words that are written on paper stars. The purpose of this spiritual practice is to trust that the Word About Life comes to us in many ways and to trust in the Word that comes to us. Star words are one such way that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight. After you receive the gift of communion, pick a star and receive the guiding word that has come to you. May it inform your prayer journey for the season of Epiphany.

Prelude ~ Winter (Allegro) by Antonio Vivaldi And Jingle Bells arr. Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller

Shared by Christine Kyhn

Welcome and Announcements

Shared by Pastor Ken

Opening Words

Led by Pastor Ken

One: Who are we and what are we called to do?

All: We are the sensitive and responsive ones called

to create a world where every person is radically

affirmed and barriers between people become

bridges of inclusion, justice, and spirituality.

Call to Worship

Led by Linda Johnston

One: We gather to celebrate, not just by words spoken, but by the miraculous Word About Life that comes to us in countless ways.

All: Such as a baby's first cry, the view out our window, the petals of a cactus rose, mist-covered hills, the wind across the desert, human love, and human hope.

One: With gratitude and with joy at life's boundless possibilities we gather and we sing.

Singing Our Welcome For the Season

~ We Three Kings

We three kings of orient are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain

Moor and mountain Following yonder star

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 for ever, ceasing never

Over us all to reign

Frankincense to offer have I

Incense owns a Deity nigh

Prayer and praising

All folk raising

Worship Him, God most high!

Myrrh is mine

It's bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise King and God and Sacrifice Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia

Heaven to earth replies

O star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light

O star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light

Opening Prayer and The Prayer of Jesus Sung Responsively

Our Creator in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your Kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those

Who trespass against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

And the glory are yours

Now and forever.

Amen

Celebrations and Celebration Song

Led by Pastor Ken

At this time, we share moments from our lives: birthdays,

anniversaries, and words of peace and justice. We celebrate

sorrows and grief as part of our comprehensive view of life.

Give voice to goodness!

Celebrate your heart and your spirit.

Celebrate your life while you live it.

Even when it’s hard to do, celebrate the best of you!

Celebrate your dreams and your visions.

Celebrate the love you’ve been given.

Cherish all that you’ve been through.

Celebrate the best of you!

Communion and Placemats

Led by Barbara Zaborowski

Spirit of Life and Love,

We bring ourselves to this table-to Your Table-in hope of

catching a glimpse of You. Speak to us in this bread.

Speak to us in the cup. Speak to us through the placemats

created by our children and the word of care they bring to

hungry people. Speak to us through our star words. Speak

to us as you spoke through the clouds at Jesus baptism, the

burning bush to Moses, and the rushing wind of Pentecost.

Speak to us through our star words so they may be a tool

that helps us look for life and love in this season of

Epiphany. Now we put our voices together in prayer.

Holy One, you are with us in our joy. You are with

us in our sorrow. Surely, you are with us as we

pray, you are with us here and now. So with

grateful hearts, we share this table with each

other and invite all people to share with us. Amen.

Sharing the Bread and Cup

Communion Music

Wonder As I Wander

arr. Christine Kyhn

Everyone is welcome to this table! You are invited to pick up a star on the altar and then move to a communion station. The

baskets near our communion stations are for our communion

offering. This month, the communion offering supports our Pastor’s Charitable Fund.

Invitation to Give

Led by Linda Johnston

One: We rejoice in the new world God is creating around us and with us.

All: May our gifts proclaim the way of Jesus and strengthen a faithful people.

One: May we be blessed and healed for we come in love

and in trust.

All: May we be blessed and healed for we come

in love and expectant hope.

In response to our celebrations and the deep goodness of life, our offerings for the

celebration of life, in this place and beyond, shall now be

received.

Give Online

Offerings and Offertory ~ Go Tell It On the Mountain

Shared by Christine Khyn

Word About Life For Today

Shared by Pastor Ken

Words For Mission

Led by Linda Johnston

One: When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the [wise women and men] are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

All: To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among all people,

To make music in the heart.

One: These are the times!

All: We are the people.

One: All of Creation is blessed!

All: May we love all and serve all!

One: May God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.

Sending Forth Song ~ Day of New Beginnings

Led by Forrest Bachtal

This is a day of new beginnings,

Time to remember and move on,

Time to believe what love is bringing,

Laying to rest the pain that’s gone.

Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring,

Step from the past and leave behind

Our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,

Seeking new paths, and sure to find.

In faith we’ll gather round the table

To taste and share what love can do.

This is a day of new beginnings;

Our God is making all things new.

Sermon Reboot is OFF for today.

This is a time to talk about the message and explore together using the ORID Art Form Conversation methodology. What is ORID? It stands for Observation, Reflection, Interpretation, and Decision. You will get the hang of it.