Sunday January 5, 2025 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD SUNDAY

Gathering in God’s Name

PRELUDE — Three Preludes by Paul Manz
(Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Now Sing We, Now Rejoice, and How Lovely Shines the Morning Star)
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“Resolution One:  I will live for God.  Resolution Two:  If no one else does, I still will.” — Jonathan Edwards

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP —Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow — Traditional Spiritual

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
O God, our guide who once used a star to lead people to Christ, we confess our poor sense of direction.  We let ourselves become confused, easily distracted, and lose our way.  We fail to follow the signs you provide.  Forgive our waywardness, O God.  Lead us to the Christ so that we may follow his way to you.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON #578 — O Lord, Have Mercy — ORÉ PORIAJÚ VEREKÓ

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE — “Gloria“ — GLORIA
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

WELCOME                          
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward.

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

*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 — Christ, Be Born in Us — Kyle Pederson

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”

Our Response to God’s Word

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.  For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.  For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.  On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.  We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.  We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

OFFERTORY — The Kings — Peter Cornelius

*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      
Almighty God, from whom come all the good things we enjoy, we offer our gifts as the Magi did who opened costly treasures before Jesus. We give in response to your generosity, identifying with your pity and compassion for victims of violence, poverty, and oppression. May all who are in need experience the unsearchable riches of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit even as their physical needs are met. May we be coworkers with Christ, whose sacrifice bought our redemption. Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #150 — As With Gladness Men of Old — DIX

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION                           

POSTLUDE — Rise, Shine! — Marques Garret & Tom Trenney
(please be seated)