Jan. 9 Livestream – A Star Appeared

Today, we reflect on the story of the wise men who followed the star to see the newborn King.

Jan. 9 Livestream – A Star Appeared

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Choral: Vom Himmel hoch – Pachelbel 

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP   

     One:  Let us bow down in awe before the One who created us!

     All:  God is the Mighty Creator of all life.

     One:  God speaks out and reaches out to strengthen us.

     All:  God sends light to shine in darkness.

     One:  God sends Christ to calm this world’s turbulent seas.

     All:  God takes care of us  –  calming our fears and giving us faith.

     One:  Praise God for offering us so much!

     All:  God our Maker blesses us with life. Let us sing!

*HYMN – We Three Kings – #220    

We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, for and mountain, Following yonder star.

REFRAIN

O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King of Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, 
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.

REFRAIN

Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

REFRAIN

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

REFRAIN

Glorious now behold I’m arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia! Peals through the earth and skies.

*OPENING PRAYER                                                         

       Eternal God, Spirit of life; you moved over the face of the waters at the beginning of time itself. From generation to generation, you are God. Your being is too vast for us to fathom. Your thoughts and your ways are higher than ours. We share the amazement of the psalmist who marvels, “Your thoughts, O God; how vast is the sum of them. Try to count them. They are more than the sand!” Bless us as we gather here. This is holy ground, and with you, Christ Jesus, each day is a new day to be born. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Angels We Have Heard on High (Verses 1 and 3) – #206

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply Echo back their joyous strains.

REFRAIN

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Come to Bethlehem, and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

INSTALLATION OF 2022 IVY CHAPEL UCC OFFICERS                                                         

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 60:1-6 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Gésu Bambino (Marsha Fix and Valerie Waterman, Vocalists) – Pietro Yon    

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 2:1-12 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – What Child Is This? – #202 

What Child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherd watch are keeping?

REFRAIN

This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
This, this is Christ the King, The babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding??
Good Cristian, fear; for sinners here The silent Word is pleading.

REFRAIN

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come, peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

REFRAIN

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – As with Gladness Men of Old – #219

As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright,

So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before Him whom heav’n and earth adore,
So, may we with willing feet Ever seek the mercy seat.
As the offered gifts most rare At the manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee our heav’nly King.
Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world joyously to offer Christ’s grace and love! – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Allegretto – Schmid 

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