Sunday, January 1, 2012

Called to Gift

Epiphany

 Visitors:  Welcome to our church.  Please sign our guest book!  If you do not have a church home, we pray that you will find one with us.  We have large-print bulletins available, as well as hearing assistance devices.  Please ask an usher if you require either of these.  Restrooms are located in the church school building.  Go through the door next to the choir loft, and straight ahead.  We also have restrooms downstairs in Fellowship Hall.  Again, exit through the door next to the choir loft, turn left down the hall, and go down the steps. 

 We Gather To Worship

Prelude

 Announcements

Chime Interlude

 *Call To Worship

Leader:    Arise, shine, for your light has come! 

People:   The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.

Leader:    Let us praise the Lord together.

People:   The sun shall no longer be our light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on us,

Leader:    for the Lord will be our light, and our God will be our glory.  

 *Hymn:  “Brightest and Best of the Stars” ………………………#182

*Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    God of mystery, you place stars in the sky that guide us.  May we find in you the courage and the strength to follow those stars, and find ourselves kneeling at the feet of your oh-so-radical sovereign:  more shepherd than monarch; more peacemaker than tax collector; more boundary breaker than empire extender.  This star we have before us reminds us of the star that guided the wise ones in the story of Christ’s birth.  It led them toBethlehem, to worship the Christ, the one who would reveal your love to all the world.  We follow this star now, into the story of the wise ones, the story of Jesus, and the story of our own journey into your love and way.  Amen.

 *Response:  “As with Gladness Men of Old”…………….#181, V 1

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    The first stop on our journey into the story of the Epiphany is to remember where we have been.  So we remember the paths on which we have travelled this week, from the celebrations of Christmas Day, from holiday destinations, work, or sporting events.  If we have moved too fast and not seen you,

All:         forgive us, God.

Leader:    If we have talked too much and not heard you,

All:         forgive us, God.

Leader:    If we have worked too hard and not had time for you,

All:         forgive us, God.

Leader:    If we have been distracted by the excesses of Christmas and not sharing with others,

All:         forgive us, God.  Amen.    (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Wise Men, They Came to Look.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    Friends, God forgives us.  This is why Jesus was born among us, to restore our relationship with God.  So be glad, and continue on your journey with God.  Amen.

Affirmation:    “Jesus, Name Above All Names”. . . …..……#106

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    Isaiah 60: 1-6

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “He Made a Way in a Manger”    ………………Black/Koerts

 Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 2: 1-12

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “The First Noel, the Angel Did Say”…..#162 (refrain after verses 1 and 6 only)

Pastoral Prayers And 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.)

 Our Offering

Offertory

 *Doxology:   “Praise God from Whom All Blessings” ……………#809

*Prayer Of Dedication

 *Closing Hymn:  “We Three Kings of Orient Are”….#185 (refrain after verses 1 and 5 only)

*Blessing

Leader:    Go now and shine.  There is light within each one of us, for the Divine light shines brightly:  on, in, and through us.  As we go from this place, may the light of the Christ child guide our every step and every encounter with God’s earth and God’s people.  Amen.

 *Choral Benediction:  “Emmanuel, Emmanuel”…………………………………………..……#140

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                           

January’s  Proverb:  

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.       Proverbs  20: 27

 The Food Pantry Item for January is laundry detergent.

Our Next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, January 15, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Please consider getting a team together and joining us for an evening of fun and fellowship!  Any questions, contact Gina..

Soup Kitchen Update:  the first Soup Kitchen for 2012 will be held on 1/31, Tuesday. Zion provides meal only; serving is not required.  Sign-up sheet with menu will be on the credenza beginning the first week in January.  Please remember, all food will be picked up at the church by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, 1/28, to deliver to the Soup Kitchen the same day.  News Flash – the new Soup Kitchen headquarters is scheduled to open beginning in January.

 Annual Report Information from committees, ministries, and Sunday School is requested as a Word document by January 5, 2012.

 Habitat For Humanity.  The Gettysburg Habitat house still needs volunteers for every Saturday through at least January 7, 2012.  The work day is from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; but if it only suits for part of the day, that would also work.  Anyone interested in working on any Saturday should please contact Roger.

2012 Greeters Needed for Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 22, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25.

 2012 Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for Jan. 8, 155, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 18, 25.  Bulletin Sponsorship is $15 per Sunday.  Please place your remittance designated for Bulletin Sponsorship in the offering plate.)

 Coming Up Next Week:

Jan. 4, Bible Discovery, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Jan. 4, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Jan. 7, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

Jan. 7, Consistory Retreat,ZionHse,    9-1 pm

 Looking Forward:

Jan. 8, Communion and consistory installation, 9:00 am

Jan. 8, Presentation on cancer research by Ryan, 10:15 am

Jan. 14, Consistory/Staff dinner

Jan. 15, Trivia Nite, 6:00 pm

Jan. 23, Consistory Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm    

Jan. 26, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Jan. 30, CEST Mtg, Main SS Rm, 7:00 pm                 

Jan. 31, Soup Kitchen, Prince of Peace, 10:45 – 1 pm

Feb. 2, Worship and Music Cmte,ZionHse, 7:30 pm

Feb. 6, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon