January 3, 2021~ 10:30 AM ~ Epiphany Sunday
Leading us today in Worship
Minister: Rev. Thérèse Samuel
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Leader: Phyllis Fleming
Scripture Reader: Valerie Samuel
Prayer Candles: Bonnie Hammond
~ Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
PRELUDE Monsieurs Alman W. Byrd
GREETING (2 Cor 13:14)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP VU 82 A Light is Gleaming(refrain only)
A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God’s radiant love is burning bright, living in the light.
“In the brightness God has given,” come, let us worship. (Linnea Good)
OPENING PRAYER and PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God of Christmas gift and Epiphany celebration, you have led us to the place where you break into our world. In our worship today, speak to us through your holy word, and bestow on us the boldness and confidence to share your good news with all who need a word of encouragement, an act of support, a gift of healing. We praise you, for you have come to be in our midst, so that we may live in your presence of love and peace. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
FIRST READING Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God, while we may sometimes be like Herod stepping out with hardened hearts to willfully harm others and the world, more often we may be like the Magi, our wisdom and gifts being un-knowingly given to serve an empire whose ways oppress and bring harm to peoples and creation, when that is the farthest thing from our minds. Please come to us as you came to those wise ones, breaking in on our hearts and our lives, give us the word of caution and guidance, to claim us back from the forces that would seek to do ill with the power of our good intentions. In the name of the child who comes to bring peace, we pray.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Friends, when we seek the forces of goodness, the power of the Holy One greets us and leads us, giving us a new way and a new day. We are redeemed, and renewed for God’s good purposes. Thanks be to God.
HYMN VU 91, The First Nowell
1. The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay akeeping their sheep on a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
2. They lookèd up and saw a star, shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.
Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
3. And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.
Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
4. This star drew nigh to the northwest; o'er Bethlehem it took its rest, and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
5. Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
6. Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, that hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought.
Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel. God Speaks, We Listen
SECOND READING Ephesians 3:1-12 NRSV
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
SERMON “Let Your Light Shine”
HYMN This Little Light of Mine Verses:
This little light of mine…
Everywhere I go…
Hide it under a bushel? No!
All ‘round Georgian Bay…
This little light of mine…
PROFESSION OF FAITH A New Creed We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
THIRD READING Psalm 72, VU page 790 Parts One and Two
Refrain Hail to God's own anointed, who rules in equity.
Give the ruler your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal heir, for judging your people rightly, and upholding the poor with justice; that the mountains may bring forth peace for the people, and the hills, prosperity with justice. Refrain Hail to God's own anointed, who rules in equity. May your anointed defend the cause of the poor among the people, save the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor. May your anointed live as long as the sun endures, as long as the moon from age to age. May your anointed be like rain falling upon the grass, like showers that water the earth; may your anointed be one in whose days justice shall flourish and peace abound till the moon is no more.
Refrain Hail to God's own anointed, who rules in equity.
May the rulers of Tarshish and the isles pay tribute, the monarchs of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. May all rulers do homage, and all nations render service. For your anointed shall deliver the needy when they cry, the poor and those who have no helper. Your anointed shall have pity on the weak and the needy, and save the lives of the poor. From oppression and violence your anointed shall redeem their life, and count as precious their blood.
Refrain Hail to God's own anointed, who rules in equity.
PRAYER CANDLES MUSIC Sonata Opus 49 #2, 2nd mov't L. van Beethoven
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Spoken, traditional words, VU 921)
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
MUSIC FOR PASSING the PEACE Sonata Opus 49 #2, 2nd mov't L. van Beethoven
OFFERING
We honour all the ways we give as we dedicate our offering. INVITATION TO OFFERING With an offering stone to honour all the ways we give as we dedicate our offering let us pray: PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF
We offer our gifts, that they may be used to support the poor and needy, to challenge the powers of oppression, and to bring the news of your great love that others with power may also offer their resources to the service of peoples and creation in need of healing and justice. This we pray in the name of the power sought by wise ones, and found in a humble child, Jesus the Christ. Amen. A single stone placed in the offering plate honours all our gifts.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Join us by Zoom following this service for Coffee Hour link sent out by e-blast. Phone me now you need the contact information.
HYMN VU 82 A Light Is Gleaming
Refrain A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God's radiant love is burning bright, living in the light.
1. When light comes pouring into the darkest place, it hurts our eyes to see the glow. Sometimes a word of hope reminds us of our fears, our memories and tears
Refrain A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God's radiant love is burning bright, living in the light.
2. When night is round us and every shadow grows, a star is there to light our way. It tells a story of Jesus who came near to say: "God's light will ever stay."
Refrain A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God's radiant love is burning bright, living in the light.
3. And Jesus showed us a brighter path to walk. He showed us things we hadn't seen. Now we, like Jesus, an help creation shine, and this will be a sign:
Refrain A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God's radiant love is burning bright, living in the light.
4. So let us live in the brightness God has giv'n, and let us rise to see the dawn. We trust that God is here asparkle and ablaze, -- warming all our days.
Refrain A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God's radiant love is burning bright, living in the light.
SENDING
Go from this time of worship with the old songs in your ears, and a new song in your hearts. Go from this time knowing that every song you need is within you and around you. Go into the world to bring the song that the world longs to sing. Go, and may the everlasting song go with you, now and always.
SUNG BLESSING Go Now in Peace
Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with you each hour of every day. Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true, Know God will guide you in all you do. Go now in love, and show you believe. Reach out to others so all the world can see. God will be there, * within, around, above. Go now in peace, in faith and in love. Amen, amen, amen. * alternate words: watching from above
POSTLUDE English Suite #3, Gavottes 1 & 2 J.S. Bach
COFFEE HOUR Join us via Zoom for community time. The Zoom Link was sent in the eblast.
LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
- Affirmation of Faith: “A New Creed,” The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998
- Opening Prayer, Prayer for Illumination, Prayer of Confession, Words of Assurance, Sermon written by Thérèse Samuel, 2021.
- Sending written by Thérèse Samuel, 2020.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES
- Psalm response: Words: Psalter Music: Johann Crüger 1640 Public Domain - “A Light Is Gleaming.” Words: Linnea Good 1992 Music LIVING IN THE LIGHT: Linnea Good 1992 Words and music copyright 1992 Borealis Music Used by permission, One License #608577 - “The First Nowell.” Words: English traditional carol, ca. 17th century, alt. Music THE FIRST NOWELL: English traditional melody; arr. David Willlcocks copyright Oxford University Press, 1961 Used by permission, One License #608577 - This Little Light of Mine. African American Spiritual. Arranged by Christopher Burton. - “Go Now in Peace.” Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price. © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, Inc. Alternate words with permission. Used with permission, One License, #608577. Prelude: Monsieurs Alman W. Byrd Lighting of Candles/Passing of Peace: Sonata Opus 49 #2, 2nd mov't L. van Beethoven Postlude: English Suite #3, Gavottes 1 & 2 J.S. Bach SCRIPTURE Scripture Passage from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
