www.pcmorristown.org When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Matthew 2:11 will never perish. No one will snatch Creating Pathways to Discover New Connections in Christ January 5, 2014 The Second Sunday of Christmas
Welcome to Our Church We are a historic church, part of a historic denomination, and we celebrate this history while exploring ways to bring passion and freshness to our worship and congregational life. Join us as we seek to discover Fresh Traditional TM ways to proclaim, gather, and nurture, all toward continuing Jesus Christ s earthly ministry of building God s Kingdom. Please join us for coffee and fellowship in the narthex at the back of the church hosted by Pam and Jim Wood. Visitor s Information brochures are in the stands at the entrances to assist you in finding your way around our campus. GREETING: Lisa and Jack Fraebel, Nicky Fraebel, and Beverly and Tom Tignor USHERING: Katherine Henckler, Chris Megargel, Shirley and Dave Mutchler, and Benson Wang. THE FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY are given in memory of Ruth Petey Hashagen by Ken, Mary Jo, and David Hashagen Visiting with Children? Activity materials for young worshipers are in the drawers of the literature chests in both vestibules. Infant and child care is provided during the service in Howard House, the building to the right of the sanctuary. Restrooms: Please accompany children (under age 10) to the restrooms. (Located through the left door by the bell tables.) Special Needs? Please ask our ushers or greeters Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers in the narthex at the back of the church. Please come again We invite you to join us in worship at The Presbyterian Church in Morristown on Sundays at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted. A noon Worship Service is held on Wednesdays in the Chapel next door to the Sanctuary. Parking is available behind the church. More information on our Church, our programs and schedules is available on our website www.pcmorristown.org Text printed with permission, CCLI #2247504 2 Cover photo by Bruce Frazier
Celebration of Worship January 5, 2014 The Second Sunday of Christmas 10:00 a.m. * If you are able, please stand. WELCOME The Reverend Dr. David C. Lawrence VOLUNTARY Music for Oboe and Piano Michael Witsberger, oboe & Matthew Webb, piano *CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive) + Elder Carolyn Crosthwaite Leader: We have come to praise God, who has done wonderful things among us. People: Leader: People: In Jesus the Christ, God has shown us love, giving light for our darkness, and strength for all our days. Sing praise to God s name, bow before God in prayer, open your hearts to God s saving word. Arise, shine, for our light has come! *HYMN 14 For the Beauty of the Earth Dix For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies: Refrain Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise. For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light: Refrain For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind s delight, for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: Refrain For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Refrain For Thyself, best gift divine to the world so freely given for that great, great love of thine peace on earth and joy in heaven: Refrain 3
CONFESSION AND PARDON PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) ++ For the beauty of the earth that we have not seen, For the beauty of the earth that we have not preserved, For the beauty of the earth that we have damaged or been silent at its destruction. Forgive us, God. 4 Erin Guthrie For the joy of human love that we have ignored, For the joy of human love dying while we are distracted by many things, For the joy of human love that we damage by our personal sins and faraway complicities. Forgive us God. Amen. *KYRIE 551 Lord, Have Mercy Land of Rest Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us. ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (responsive) ++ God teaches us to raise a song of praise, not only with our lips open, but with widespread hearts and hands. Through Christ, we are forgiven and given responsibility again for the beautiful earth and all aspects of human love. Thanks be to God! *RESPONSE TO FORGIVENESS (Hymn 544 Bless the Lord, repeat) Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life. Taize *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A Brief Statement of Faith PCUSA In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in god s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.
But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION (unison) +++ Gracious God, let your Word become flesh once more. May we embrace the light you send by your Spirit in our walk and in our talk. Strengthen our testimony as we hear your Word anew, that enlightenment may be available to all your children and fulfillment of your will may be realized across the earth. Amen. FIRST SCRIPTURE READING (responsively) John 1:1-9 NRSV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! 5
ANTHEM A New Year Carol Benjamin Britten Deborah Fallon, soprano (1913-1976) Here we bring new water from the well so clear, for to worship God with, this happy new year. Sing levy-dew, the water and the wine; the seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine. Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe, open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go. Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin, open you the East Door, and let the New Year in. SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage. When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! SERMON The Light vs. The Flames Dr. Lawrence 6
* HYMN 152 What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright Puer Nobis Nascitur What star is this with beams so bright, more lovely than the noonday light? Tis sent to announce a newborn king, glad tidings of our God to bring. Tis now fulfilled what God decreed, From Jacob shall a star proceed ; and lo! the eastern sages atand to read in heaven the Lord s command. While outward signs the star displays, an inward light the Lord conveys and urges them, with tender might, to seek the giver of the light. O Jesus, while the star of grace impels us on to seek your face, let not our slothful hearts refuse the guidance of your light to use. MOMENT FOR MISSION: GreenFaith Erin Guthrie GREETING/OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD (Please sign and pass the friendship pad, found in the pew, to the person next to you. Offering envelopes and prayer request cards are located in the pew pockets for your convenience. Cards will be collected with the offering.) OFFERTORY Look at the World John Rutter The Chancel Choir (b. 1945) Look at the world, everything all around us, look at the world and marvel every day. Look at the world: so many joys and wonders, so many miracles along our way. Praise to thee, O lord for all creation. Give us thankful hearts that we may see all the gifts we share, and every blessing, all things come of thee. Look at the earth bringing forth fruit and flower, look at the sky the sunshine and the rain. Look at the hills, look at the trees and mountains, valley and flowing river, field and plain. Think of the spring, think of the warmth of summer Bringing the harvest before winter's cold. Everything grows, everything has a season, till it is gathered to the Father's fold: Every good gift, all that we need and cherish. Comes from the Lord in token of his love We are his hands, stewards of all his bounty, His is the earth and his the heavens above *RESPONSE Hymn 511 Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven Llanfair (verses 2 & 4 only) All is ready, come attend Alleluia! as the Lord s invited friend; Alleluia! come from the north, west, south and east; Alleluia! celebrate the joyful feast. Alleluia! As the Lord our God has willed, Alleluia! Here the hungry soul is filled; Alleluia! Here the weary are refreshed, Alleluia! All who share God s feast are blessed. Alleluia! 7
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) +++ How good you have been to us, wondrous God! Our lives are like a watered garden when we are responsive to your will for us. You turn mourning into joy and give gladness for sorrow. In response to your grace, we dedicate these offerings to extend your reign among us. As we gather at your table, may we be part of your plan for the fullness of time. Amen. SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION INVITATION TO THE TABLE COMMUNION PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. WORDS OF INSTITUTION SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP (To signify our oneness in Christ, worshipers are asked to hold the bread until everyone has been served. The cup may be drunk as soon as it is received, indicating your individual relationships with Christ.) COMMUNION VOLUNTARIES PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION *HYMN All Through the Year Ar Hyd Y Nos God supports us as believers, all through the year. by Earl S. Johnson, Jr. Christ Emmanuel is with us, love always near. Days ahead may test endurance Painful moments challenge patience, Still the Spirit offers comfort, all through the year. Standing at this yearly crossroad, life is unclear. We anticipate disaster, trust disappears. Politicians forecast warfare, Global warming threatens nature, We consider life uncertain, all through the year. 8 Continued
Now remember hope around us, light, crystal-clear. Faith that sees the unapparent, all through the year. God the pillar goes before us, Christ a pioneer to guide us, Spirit s fire warms and cheers us, all through the year. Christ directs us as believers, all through the year. God is for us, Lord incarnate, truth always near. Weeks ahead may test endurance, Anxious moments weaken patience, Still the Spirit tenders guidance, all through the year. *BENEDICTION VOLUNTARY O Emmanuel Colin Mawby Matthew Webb, organ (b. 1936) Participating in the service today are the Rev. Dr. David Lawrence, Elder Carolyn Crosthwaite, and Erin Guthrie. Our Director of Music is Matthew Webb. + Reprinted by permission of United Church Press from Bread for the Journey, ed. Ruth C. Duck. 1981 by The Pilgrim Press. ++ From Before the Amen: Creative Resources for Worship, ed. Maren C. Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirabassi (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2007. +++ Reprinted by permission of United Church Press from Taught by Love by Lavon Bayler. Copyright 1998 by United Church Press. The Presbyterian Church in Morristown Sanctuary and Chapel: 57 East Park Place, Parish House and Offices: 65 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 538-1776 www.pcmorristown.org 9