Bethel Presbyterian Church
First Sunday after the Epiphany
January 7, 2007
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The grace of God has dawned upon the world with healing for all humankind.
Let us live in that grace.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Arise, shine, for our light has come.
And the glory of our God has risen upon us.
Nations shall come to this light,
and rulers to the brightness of its dawning.
Bless the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #66 We Three Kings of Orient Are Three Kings of Orient
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
*RESPONSE
Thanks be to God,
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.
FIRST LESSON Matthew 2:1-12
ANTHEM
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:1-12
SERMON A Secret No Longer Rev. Bill Shenk
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION Hymn #592
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Apostle’s Creed (Traditional) Hymnal Page #14
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.
*HYMN #440 In Christ There Is No East or West St. Peter
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
Let us pray.
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*HYMN #63 As With Gladness Men of Old Dix
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun Hymn #423 vs. 1
Jesus shall reign where e’er the sun
Does its successive journeys run,
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
*POSTLUDE
