Jan. 3 Livestream – Gifts of the Magi

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, we retrace the steps of the kings who came from afar to shower the newborn King of Kings with gifts.

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: How majestic is God’s name in all the earth!
All: Be glad, and celebrate!
One: Come; hear God’s Word for our day.
All: God’s Word is truth.
One: God’s Word is a blessing to all people!
All: The Messiah that God promised has arrived!
One: Come and behold him.
All: Let us worship Christ with our treasures!

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of new things and God of all things; you are the Giver of grace. The way that you come alive in the commonplace puts us at ease. You came to earth through human childbirth. You did not send someone else. You came yourself! You were born as a little baby who became a small town carpenter. We are grateful that you often come to us in quietly reassuring ways that do not call attention to yourself.
We are grateful for your astonishing love, Jesus. Fill us with your Spirit this morning as we worship you. Amen.

Hymn – “I Wonder as I Wander” – #210

1. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
   How Jesus the Savior did come for to die
   For poor ordinary people like you and like I;
   I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
2. When Mary birthed Jesus, ’twas in a cow’s stall,
   With wisemen and farmers and shepherds and all
   But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall,
   The promise of ages it then did recall.
3. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
   A star in the sky or a bird on the wing,
   For all of God’s angels in heav’n for to sing,
   He surely could have it ‘cause He was the King.
4. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
   How Jesus the Savior did come for to die
   For poor ordinary people like you and like I;
   I wonder as I wander, out under the sky. Scripture Reading – Psalm 147:12-20 – Pastor Dan Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan Special Music – Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta Scripture Reading – Matthew 2:1-12 – Pastor Dan Sermon – Pastor Dan Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion – Pastor Dan Responsive Invitation to Christ’s Table
   One: God be with you.
   All: And also with you.
   One: From God’s fullness, we have all received
   All: Grace upon grace.
   One: Together, let us receive God’s gifts of the bread and the cup.
   All: Christ our Savior makes all things new!
   
   Hymn – “We Three Kings” – #220
   
   We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar
   Field and fountain, moor 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.

2. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,
   King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.

REFRAIN

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

REFRAIN

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

REFRAIN

5. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
   Al le lu ia, Al le lu ia! Peals through the earth and skies.

REFRAIN

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta