Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3461 Cedar Crest Blvd. EMAIL Info@holyspirit-emmaus.org Emmaus, PA 18049-1599 www.lchsemmaus.org PHONE 610.967.2220 www.facebook.com/lchsemmaus FAX 610.966.3021 www.twitter.com/lchsemmaus Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday, January 6, 2019 10:45 am The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Ministry in Daily Life Gathered by God s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we invite and welcome all people to join us on our journey to become more faithful ministers of Jesus Christ in our homes, our communities, and the world.
ELW refers to the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the red worship book. Page numbers are in the front of the book with hymn numbers following in the middle & end. During worship, please silence all communication devices. *As you are able, please stand. Gathering Gathering Music Three Kings of Orient setting, Linker Welcome and Theme of the Day Epiphany means manifestation. On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles that is, to all nations. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst. *Gathering The assembly reads responsively. Let us celebrate God s glory around us, and the light of Christ within us! Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of God has dawned on us. For shadows cover the earth, and deep gloom enshrouds the people. But over you, God will rise, and God s glory will appear on you. You are the light of the world. You will be radiant, your hearts will thrill and rejoice! Christ will be our everlasting light; and God will be our glory! 2
*Gathering Song We Three Kings *Greeting The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. 3
*Hymn of Praise Glory to God WOV, setting 5 4
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*Prayer of the Day Let us pray together. O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to see 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 A Reading from Isaiah 60:1 6. NRSV, page 602 Jerusalem is assured that nations will make a pilgrimage to her, because the light of God's presence is in her midst. The bountiful food of the sea and the profits of international trade will come streaming to Jerusalem and thereby declare God's praise. After the reading, Word of God, Word of Light. Thanks be to God! Second Reading A Reading from Ephesians 3:1 12. NRSV, page 950 What had been hidden from previous generations is now made known through the gospel ministry of Paul and others. In Christ both Jews and Gentiles participate in the richness of God's promised salvation. After the reading, Word of God, Word of Light. Thanks be to God! Please remain seated for the gospel and through the sermon. 6
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia WOV, setting 5 Gospel The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:1 12. NRSV, page 783 Glory to you, O Lord. God's promise shines bright in the night as magi follow a star to honor a new king. Strangers from a faraway land, they welcome the long-awaited messiah of Israel. Procession of the Kings Gifts of the Magi Larson Adult Choir, Megan McCormick, flute and Lincoln Walton, percussion Word for God s Children After the reading of the gospel, The Gospel of Our Lord! Praise to You, O Christ. Children age 3 7 are invited to the All Saints Room. They will return after the Sermon. We encourage at least one parent to be present. Sermon Pr. Spencer Steele *Hymn of the Day The First Noel ELW Hymn 300 7
*Epiphany Affirmation Let us affirm our faith. We believe in God, the creator and giver of life, who brought all creation to birth, who mothers us and fathers us, protecting, nurturing, and cherishing us. We believe in Jesus Christ: God born among us as a fragile baby, embodying both love and the need for love, and calling us to rest in God as trustingly as a tiny child. We believe in the Holy Spirit, breathed into us at our birth, always drawing us to be born again, encouraging, comforting, nourishing our growth and inspiring our living. We believe in the reconciliation of the world to God, through Christ. Hunted at birth and humiliated at death, Christ entered our fearful darkness so that we may enter his glorious light and share the life of his resurrection. And we believe that each new child is a glimpse of the face of God, a sign of the life to come, and a call to live in peace and celebrate living together. Glory to God in the highest, and God's peace to all people on earth. Amen. *Prayers of the People Rejoicing with all the faithful, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. After each petition: Shine, Jesus, shine, set our hearts on fire. Pondering the mystery of your love, we offer our prayers in the name of Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen. *Share the Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people greet one another with the peace of Christ. 8
Offering The Holy Child O Hara/Willaman Cindy Ernst, soloist The assembly responds to the Word of God by gathering an offering for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. The music is offered as a gift to the glory of God. You may give your offering in the offering plate, or by using a credit or debit card at the Giving Kiosk, or Give by Text (610-981-1312), or through Simply Giving, or by sending it to the church office. The table is set. *Offering Prayer Let us pray. Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Great Thanksgiving Meal 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 indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the leading of a star Jesus was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed Christ your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine Jesus revealed your glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy WOV, setting 5 Words and music on next page. 9
Blessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all. By your powerful word you created all things. Through the prophets you called your people to be a light to the nations. Blessed are you for Jesus, your Son. Christ is God s Light, shining in our darkness and revealing to us God s mercy and might. Words of Institution Remembering, therefore, Jesus preaching and healing, his dying and rising, and his promise to come again, we await that day when all the universe will rejoice in your holy and life-giving light. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. By your Spirit bless us and this meal, that, refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world, revealing the brilliance of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen 10
*Lord s Prayer Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. *Invitation to Communion Come to the table of love and forgiveness. Come, radiate the light. Sacrament of Holy Communion All who are baptized and believe in the presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are welcome to receive the Sacrament. To facilitate flow, the ushers invite the side sections, the front few rows and then the back rows. The people come forward, using the center aisle, and may kneel or stand at the altar rail. Gluten free wafers are available. Our wine is grape juice so that all may freely receive and is served by common or individual cup. Please return to your seat using the side aisles. Children may receive the sacrament if they have completed instruction with a pastor. Children who do not commune may come forward for a blessing. Communion Songs The assembly sings of the light of the world. Lamb of God WOV, setting 5 11
This Little Light of Mine ELW Hymn 677 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light ELW Hymn 815 *Prayer Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that in this bread and cup of Christ's very life, you give us food for our journey. As you led the magi by a star, as you brought the holy family home again, guide us on the way unfolding before us. Wherever we go, may our lives proclaim good news of great joy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Blessing Sending May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. *Sending Song As with Gladness Men of Old ELW Hymn 302 *Dismissal The assisting minister sends the assembly into mission. Go, shine brightly with the love of Christ. Shine, Jesus, shine. Postlude As With Gladness Men of Old setting, Hobby CCLI #678084 One License A-701076 HymnPrint.net License #11804. The Toolkit all content Changing Church Forum, Inc. Reproducible for church use only. Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20593. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by Permission. All rights reserved. Some liturgy reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2014. Used by permission. Epiphany Affirmation of Faith written by Nathan Nettleton, 1999, incorporating some lines from "Midwife of our lives" by Kathy Galloway published in Kathy Galloway (ed.) The Pattern of Our Days, Glasgow: Wild Goose Publications, 1996, p.138. from laughingbird.net/seasonalpages/christmas.html. Blessing from Sundays and Seasons.. 12