THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

January 6, 2019
The Epiphany of Our Lord PRELUDE Chorale Partita on The First Noel Wells

Holy Communion IV TOWER BELLS

INTRODUCTION PROCLAMATION AND INVOCATION

Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day we celebrate the revelation All are invited to stand and may make the sign of the cross,
of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minster begins.
celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the
Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in The angel of the Lord announced to Mary,
which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
great epiphany of God’s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the The Word became flesh and lived among us,
light that shines brightly in our midst. and we have beheld Christ's glory.
To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and In him is life, and the life is the light of all people.
a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An These twelve days we celebrate the birth of Jesus:
usher will gladly provide you with assistance. The Truly Divine, the Truly Human, the Savior, who is Immanuel, God
with us.
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, Holy Spirit.
cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service. Amen.

We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion GATHERING SONG: The First Noel (ELW 300)
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so
that we may record your presence with us. KYRIE

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW

Gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive
you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on
you; eyes to be hold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you;
and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.
O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a
star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us
at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.

Please be seated.
A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN PSALM 72 Paraphrase: Jesus Shall Reign (ELW 434)

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6

Jerusalem is assured that nations will make a pilgrimage to her, because

the light of God’s presence is in her midst. The bountiful food of the sea
and the profits of international trade will come streaming to Jerusalem and
thereby declare God’s praise.
1
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you. SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:1-12
6
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah; What had been hidden from previous generations is now made known
all those from Sheba shall come. through the gospel ministry of Paul and others. In Christ both Jews and
They shall bring gold and frankincense, Gentiles participate in the richness of God’s promised salvation.
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. 1
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of
The word of the Lord. you Gentiles—2for surely you have already heard of the commission of
Thanks be to God. God’s grace that was given me for you, 3and how the mystery was made
known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of
which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of
Silence for reflection on the reading.
Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to
humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets
by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of
the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the
gospel.
7
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s
grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the
 1
very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child
see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,
things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was
might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief
places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah
out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been
and confidence through faith in him. written by the prophet:
6
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
The word of the Lord. are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
Thanks be to God. for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7
Please stand for the reading of the gospel. Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the
exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem,
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found
All sing the Alleluia. The cantor will sing the verse, all repeat the Alleluia him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When
they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the
star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the
child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were
overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with
Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then,
opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they left for their own country by another road.

GOSPEL VERSE: The gospel of the Lord.

We observed his star | in the east, Praise to you, O Christ.
and have come to | pay him homage (Matthew 2:2)
Please be seated.
GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon SERMON Rev. Libby Buuck
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on Silence for reflection and then we invite you to stand as we sing:
my lips, and in my heart.”
HYMN OF THE DAY: Christ, Be Our Light (ELW 715)
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord. NICENE CREED
As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
God’s promise shines bright in the night as magi follow a star to honor a words “and the virgin Mary,” until the words “he suffered death and was
new king. Strangers from a faraway land, they welcome the long-awaited buried.”
messiah of Israel.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and Please be seated.
earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 OFFERTORY
from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; Paraphrase on Wie schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern Nicolai
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 We invite you to please stand.
virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third OFFERTORY HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter (ELW 294)
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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Dwelling in the presence of God with us, let us boldly pray for the church,
the world, and all in any need.
Please sit or kneel as you are able.

Each petition ends with:

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Trusting in the presence of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, we

commend all for whom we pray, dwelling in the light and hope of Christ, OFFERING PRAYER
our Savior. Amen.
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among
Please rise and greet one another in the peace of the risen Christ. the poor to bring the riches of your good news of grace. As you have
blessed us with your gifts, let them and us be blessings for others, signs of
PEACE your goodwill for all. In the name of Christ Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
Amen.
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
DIALOGUE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s body
and blood, each time the words “Do this for the remembrance of me,” are
spoken.

Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your word
brought light into the world. In the fullness of time, you sent your Word,
born of Mary, to shine in our darkness and to make us your daughters and
sons…Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the
Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen.

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
PREFACE from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (ELW 190)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Christ gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to
make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
(Titus 2:14) Come, behold and receive the Word made flesh.

Lutherans believe, teach and confess that we receive the true Body and
Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If you desire to pick up the cross and
live in Christ, we hope you will receive with us. Even if you do not feel
prepared to receive the sacrament today we hope you will join us at the
table. Simply hold your hands over your heart and the pastor will give you
a blessing. Pastor will be glad to discuss Holy Communion and Holy
Baptism with you!

LAMB OF GOD (ELW 164)

 After all have communed we invite you to stand and sing:

COMMUNION HYMN: We Three Kings (WOV 464) SONG AFTER COMMUNION Now, Lord (ELW 201)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Bless the light which now shines in the darkness. May it be Christ’s Light
shining with grace and mercy and filling all with joy and peace.
Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal Amen.
we have feasted on your grace. May your Word take flesh in us, that we
may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus FINAL BLESSING
Christ our Savior.
Amen. The God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly
on your path; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and
SENDING OF COMMUNION the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Gracious God, loving all your family with a mother’s tender care: As you
sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread, assist those who set forth SENDING SONG: Shine, Jesus, Shine (ELW 671)
to share your word and sacrament with those who are sick, homebound, and
imprisoned. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those who will DISMISSAL
receive this sacrament, and give us all the comfort of your abiding presence
through the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Go in peace. Christ is with you.
Amen. Thanks be to God.

BLESSING FOR THE RECENTLY-INSTALLED EXTERIOR LIGHT POSTLUDE Chorale Prelude on Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich Bach

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
The star shone bright in the Bethlehem sky.
Adrian of Canterbury, teacher, died around 710 (TFF)
We now have a light to guide us.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
The shepherds ran to see the babe.
African by birth, Adrian (or Hadrian) worked with Theodore, archbishop of
We now have a light to guide us.
Canterbury, in developing the church in England. He was director of a
The magi knelt at the child’s feet.
school at which church leaders were trained.
We now have a light to guide us.
Christ shines with God’s own truth and light.
We have Christ’s Light to guide us. The Altar flowers are administered by the worship committee. The 2019
Altar Flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in the lower lobby and
Beloved children of God, what came into being in Christ was life, and the there is a nearby pocket containing an information sheet for donors to
life was the light of all people. complete and hand into the office or place in the offering plate for
proper publication in the bulletin.
May Christ’s Light shine on all who come and go from this place—
worshippers; swing dancers; Overeaters Anonymous and Narcotics If you would like to purchase flowers for worship in memory of or in honor
Anonymous; dart ball players; Bible study, sanctuary conversation, and of someone, please sign up. The cost is $35 per arrangement, and checks
circle meetings; singers, cellists, bell choir and CGMC musicians; should be made out to Trinity Lutheran Church. The contact person is Mary
intergenerational event attendees; our pastor, minister of music, in the church office (614) 224.6818 or email: [email protected].
administrative assistant, children’s minister, custodian; the Alpha course, Please do not remove flowers unless you purchased them or made
Faith Mission servants; those in need and Good Samaritans who assist arrangements.
them; council members and meeting goers.