Epiphany Sunday
10:00 AM Service

January 7, 2024

GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
(Please Stand)
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Word made flesh, our life and
our salvation.
Amen.
Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of life,
You promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be
messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groan-
ing of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open
our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are
cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again
the hope of eternal life in you. Amen.
Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises
through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus we are forgiven and
redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salva-
tion of God.
Amen.

Hymn #303 “Brightest and Best of the Stars”

L: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the commun-
ion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
C: And also with you.

L: 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.

WORD

First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6 Pg. 1155
R: Word of God, Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 72: 1—7, 10—14 Pg. 909
Refrain:
PS 72:1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your
righteousness.
PS 72:2 He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with
justice.
PS 72:3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of
righteousness.
Refrain:
PS 72:7 In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon
is no more.
PS 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.
PS 72:11 All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.
Refrain:

Refrain:
PS 72:12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no
one to help.
PS 72:13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from
death.
PS 72:14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is
their blood in his sight.
Refrain:

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12 Pg. 1820
R: Word of God. Word of life. C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Sermon

(Please rise for the Gospel)
After the Gospel is announced, we sing
The Gospel according to Matthew, the second chapter.
Gospel Reading Matthew 2: 1—12 Pg. 1497
(After the reading of the Gospel, we sing)
(Please be seated)

Sermon Rev. Kris Franke Hill

(Please Stand)
Hymn # 646 “We Three Kings of Orient Are” With One Voice
L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers
L: . . . Hear us O God C: Your mercy is great.
Sharing of the Peace
L: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you!
L: You may share the peace with one another.

Offering
Offering Hymn #302 “As With Gladness Men of Old” vses 1-3
(As the last verse is sung, please stand as the offering is brought forward.)

L: Let us pray,
All: God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered.
Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your ta-
ble of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abun-
dance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the
Word made flesh. Amen.
MEAL
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in
all places give thanks and praise. . . We praise your name and join their
unending hymn:

Eucharistic Prayer
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and the light.
Blessed are you for the promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh.

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us full of
grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.
Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate,
Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

P: Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
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 from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P: Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.

Communion Hymns
Hymn #758 “You Are the Way”
Hymn #454 “Remember and Rejoice”

Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep
you in his grace.

Prayer after Communion
P: Let us pray, God our redeemer, you have fed us at this table with gifts of
grace, truth, and life. As you have gathered us in joy, send us forth as mes-
sengers of your peace. Make us shine with the good news of your glory,
born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Benediction
P: God bless you and keep you, Jesus grant you grace and truth, and the
Spirit send peace upon your hearts, now and forever.

Hymn # 289 “Angels We Have Heard On High”
L: Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news.
Thanks be to God.

Postlude 

Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today:
Our Reader—Sharon VanderBand
Our Liturgist—Don Gillett
Organist—Ed Workmon
Music Accompanist—Doris Menke
Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann
Transitional Pastor—Rev. Kristine Franke Hill