Sunday January 4, 2026 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
Our word epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “manifestation or appearance,” and in church history this word has become closely associated with the revelation of Christ in connection with the visit of the Magi. Epiphany has been observed throughout much of the Western church as occurring on January 6, but because most churches do not mark Epiphany with a midweek service, the celebration of this special day is often associated with the nearest Sunday.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — We Three Kings — arr. Jay Rouse 

Silent Meditation
THE MAGI didn’t return to the Orient by the same route they arrived on. Learn from the past. If you want to change your life, then change your way.  – Augustine, Sermon CC, William Griffin, translator

Call to Worship
O come, let us worship the Lord and consider what wondrous things God has done:
       The Magi who study the heavens follow a guiding star!
O come, let us worship the Lord and consider what wondrous things God has done:
       The peoples who live in the shadows see a glorious light!
O come, let us worship the Lord and consider what wondrous things God has done:
       The Christ who embodies the Word unveils the hidden plan,
making us joint heirs of the promise of salvation through the gospel!
       O come, let us worship the Lord, for God has done wondrous things!

Praise and Adoration

*Hymn #151 — We Three Kings of Orient Are — KINGS OF ORIENT
(*Please stand, if you are able)

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Holy God, you sent a star to guide wise men to the child Jesus.  We confess that we have not followed the light of your word.  We have not searched for signs of your love in the world or trusted your good news to be good.  We have failed to praise your Son’s birth and refused his peace on earth.  We have expected little and hoped for less.  Forgive our doubt, and renew in us all fine desires, that we may watch and wait and once more hear the glad story of our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.   Amen.

Silent Prayers of Confession and Petition

Kyrie Eleison #551 — Lord, Have Mercy — LAND OF REST                                                  

Assurance of Pardon

*Congregational Response — “Gloria“ — GLORIA
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

*Welcome                            

*Hymn #152 — What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright — PUER NOBIS NASCITUR

Announcements

Fellowship of Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People
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.

Anthem — Lully, Lullay — arr. Dave Gardner

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — John 1: 10-18 — page 862 of the pew Bible

Prayer for Illumination

Sermon — “The God Who Wants to Be Known” — Dr. Zieman

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith — Belhar Confession, 1986, Article 3.1
We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ. 
We believe that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. 
We believe, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker. 
We believe, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth 
in which righteousness dwells.

*Sanctus — Holy, Holy, God Almighty — DIVINUM MYSTERIUM

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne — arr. Craig Courtney
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me.
But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee!

 Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, proclaiming Thy royal decree.
But in lowly birth didst Thou come to earth and in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heav’ns shall sing and the angels sing at Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying, “Yet there is room, there is room at My side for Thee.”
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, when Thou comest and callest me.

*Doxology (#607) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore.  Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication        
Loving God, from whom comes all the good things we enjoy, as the Magi followed a star of hope, we also come to you with awe and wonder.  As the Magi opened costly treasures before Jesus, we offer our gifts – ourselves, our time, our money, and our commitment.  Send us home changed by your presence.  Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

*Hymn of Dedication #150 — As With Gladness Men of Old — DIX

*Charge and Benediction                              

Postlude — Improvisations on “We Three Kings of Orient Are” — Michael Burkhardt