*HYMN # 66   We Three Kings of Orient Are   John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION

*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN

Divine Light, illuminating our shadows and darkness, we turn to you in hope and fear. As this New Year has begun, we long to be freed from times of bewildering darkness, when depression and despair haunt our days and perplex our nights. We hope for clear answers and readily marked paths. Yet, when we look deep inside ourselves, we feel shame for what we have done and for things we have left undone. Loving God, Healing light, remind us that you desire not our punishment, but our salvation. Your light is gracious and brings insight and renewal, hope and blessing. Restore our courage and make us your light for others. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The Good News is that Christ calls us to new life and enables us to begin again! With thankful hearts, let us proclaim together…
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.

SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS

SCRIPTURE   Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

SERMON   And From the East. . .
The Reverend Marc Sherrod

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

ANTHEM   Song of the Star   L. Shackley

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, God of majesty and splendor.
By your power you created all that is, making a universe out of chaos, and ruling over all things in love. Throughout the ages you called your people to love and serve you, and to be your light among the nations. When we failed you, you did not fail us and sent prophets to call us back to your ways. We praise you that in the fullness of time, you revealed your love by sending your Son Jesus to be the Light of the world. He came to heal our brokenness and to set before us the ways of justice and peace. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. He was born to dwell among us, full of grace and truth; in him we have seen your glory. Baptized by John in the Jordan, he lived for you, spoke your truth, showed your love, and gave himself for others. In his death on the cross, he overcame death. Rising from the tomb, he raised us to eternal life, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. We give you thanks that the Lord Jesus, on the night before he died, took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me. Remembering your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we take from your creation this bread and this wine and joyfully celebrate his dying and rising as we await the day of his coming. With thanksgiving we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice, dedicated to your service. Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ's body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world. Illumine our hearts, O God, with the radiance of Christ's presence, that our lives may show forth his love in this weary world. Teach us to befriend the lost, to serve the poor, to reconcile our enemies, and to love our neighbors. Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Hear us as we pray together . . .

COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

*POSTLUDE   

Our liturgist is today is Debbie Hyder. Our Ushers/greeters are Bill Shadden & George Warlick.

ANNOUNCEMENTS