FESTIVAL of the EPIPHANY for FAMILIES

FESTIVAL of the EPIPHANY for FAMILIES Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 61 Route 70 East, Marlton, New Jersey 08053 Gathering We gather in the narthex until the service begins. When ready the pastors will invite us outside to await the arrival of the Three Kings, also called the The Magi or The Wise Men. In actuality, the Gospel of Matthew uses the Greek word magoi, translated in English to Magi, meaning scholar of religion. Tradition has held that there were three Magi, perhaps because there were three gifts given, but the Gospel text does not actually say how many there were. Greeting of the Kings We have come to tell you the story of the child who was born King of the Universe. How the God of the universe has come to dwell with us, lives among us, and is God with us wherever we go. 1

Preparation for the Blessing of our Homes The Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany and the weeks following. Family and friends gather to ask God s blessing on their homes and those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows. You may visit our website to sign up for Pastor Brett to come to your home for a blessing. www.popmarlton.org BLESSING of CHALK Our help is in the name of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray for God s Blessing. Bless, O Lord, this chalk, that it may be an effective sign of your blessing upon the homes of your people. Watch over our coming in and our going out and grant that the love of Christ and the wonder of his grace may be bestowed on every inhabitant and every visitor. We pray that, like the Magi of old, we may serve Jesus as our only King, worship him as the one true God, and honor him with lives of sacrifice and praise, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. A traditional way of blessing a home is to use chalk blessed during the Epiphany liturgy and write above the home s entryway, 20 + C + M + B + 17. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, May Christ bless this house. The + signs represent the cross and 2017 is the year. 2

BLESSING of the DOORWAY Peace be with this house. And peace to all who enter here. The Magi came to Bethlehem to honor the Savior and offered gifts. Gold for a great king. Incense to the true God. And myrrh for his body, for he would suffer and die. During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this feast of Epiphany, celebrating that Jesus was made known as the Messiah to the Magi, and thereby to the whole world. Today, Christ is made known to us as Lord and King! This is a holy place because the presence of Jesus the Christ is here. Listen to the Holy Gospel Story of the Magi recorded in the second chapter Matthew. Glory to you, O Christ! 1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 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. 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 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. 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 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. 3

The doorway is marked with the blessed chalk with these words. The Magi, Caspar (write the letter C), Melchior (write the letter M) and Balthazar (write the letter B) followed the star of God s Son who became human, two thousand 20 and sixteen years ago 17. May Christ bless this house ++ (inscribe the first two crosses), and remain with us through the new year ++ (then the last two crosses). 20 + C + M + B + 17b The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Visit, O blessed Lord, this place with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may make known your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen. 4

BLESSING of the DOORWAY CROSS At times God has commanded his people to mark their doors. The Israelites marked their doors with the lamb s blood on the night of the Passover. A similar command was given with the Shema Israel command in Deuteronomy: Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 9 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ When our Lord Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment he recited this command and then said, We are to love our neighbor as yourself. Later after the washing of his disciples feet at the Last Supper our Lord Jesus gave the New Commandment saying, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ We have affixed these commands to this doorway so that every time we enter and leave we might recite these commands and strive to live them. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Let us ask again the blessing of the LORD. Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who makes us holy through your love. Bless, O LORD this emblem of your love and those who live by its grace. Amen. 5

PROCESSION to the CRECHE As we enter the church each person is encouraged to touch the blessing cross and recite the commands, I shall love the Lord God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. And love others as Jesus has first loved us. We will sing the song below as we process into the church. You may sit in any pew. ELW 866, We are Marching in the Light of God We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God. We are marching, (marching, we are marching, marching,) we are marching in the light of God. We are marching, (marching, we are marching, marching,) we are marching in the light of God. Additional stanzas as needed: We are dancing... We are praying... We are serving We are giving We are singing... 6

GOSPEL READING The Gospel Story of the Magi Continues 9 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. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. We sit THRONING of JESUS as KING The manger, a feed trough, the cross, and the altar is on the throne from which God chooses to rule the earth; it is a place of humility, trust, and service. Candles, a humble and vulnerable light source, are lit to honor our infant king. In a moment we too will light candles and honor our Lord Jesus. MAGI GREET the BABY JESUS The Magi kneel before Jesus the King of the Universe, to honor him and offer their gifts. At this time the Magi characters are placed in the crèche. 7

Song WOV 646, We Three Kings 1 We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Refrain Oh, 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, gladly raising, worshiping God Most 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; heav n sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies. Refrain 8

GIVING of the GIFTS to our LORD Why did the kings offer gold, frankincense and myrrh? Because it was the ancient Eastern custom, never to appear without presents before a prince or king, and the Magi, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, desired by their presents to honor Christ as God, as king, and as man. Of this, a famous Church Father, named the Venerable Bede, writes of the tradition of the Magi: The first was called Melchior; he was an old man, with white hair and long beard; he offered gold to the Lord as to his king. The second, Caspar by name, young, beardless, of ruddy hue, offered to Jesus his gift of incense, the homage due to Divinity. The third, of black complexion, with heavy beard, was called Balthazar; the myrrh he held in his hands prefigured the death of the Son of man. Ultimately, we do not actually know their names, from where they came or even their gender for certain but what we know to be true is that these non Jews traveled a great distance at great risk to recognize this infant as King, Human, and God. Gold Tradition tells us that gold was offered by Melchior because he recognized the baby Jesus as the True King. This gift invites us to give of our treasures to help build Jesus kingdom of love and peace. Frankincense Incense Frankincense, a type of incense made from the sap of trees, was given by Caspar because he recognized the baby Jesus as the True God. Incense is burnt as a symbol to honor God and to show to whom we offer up our prayers. Myrrh The expensive gift of myrrh, a scented oil used to buried those who died, was offered by Balthazar to show forth that Jesus was fully human and would make sacrifices, even the sacrifice of his own life, so that others may live. This gift invites us to make sacrifices in our own lives so that others too may live. 9

BLESSING of the GIFTS Sisters and brothers, today we give thanks to God and we seek God s blessing as we set apart these gifts to the glory of God. Again, let us ask for God s blessing. Gold Bless, O Lord, these Kiddish chalices, which we set apart today; May all who receive the cup of blessing be sustained by your grace and power manifest in the Holy Eucharist. To you, O God, be all glory and honor through your son, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen! 10

Frankincense Bless, O Lord, this incense, which we set apart today; may it serve to increase our vision of your glory, to remind us of your sweet goodness, and support our calling to worship you in spirit and truth. To you, O God, be all glory and honor through your son, Jesus Christ, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen! Myrrh Father we ask you to bless this oil that you have created. Fill it with the power of your Holy Spirit through Christ your Son. It is from him that chrism takes its name and with chrism you have anointed for yourself priests and kings, prophets and martyrs. And so, Father, by the power of your love make this mixture of Oil and perfume a sign and source of your blessing. Pour out the gifts of your Holy Spirit on your brothers and sisters who will be anointed with it. Let the beauty of holiness shine on the world from every place and things signed with this oil. Above all, Father, we pray that through this sign of anointing you will grant increase to your Church until it reaches glory where you, Father, will be all in all, together with Christ your Son, in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen! 11

ELW 302, As with Gladness Men of Old 1 As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led by thee. 2 As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee, whom heav'n and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat. 3 As they offered gifts most rare at thy cradle, rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heav'nly king. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SERMON All of the children are invite forward for the sermon. 12

We Kneel as we are able. PROCESSION of our GIFTS - OFFERING our WORSHIP Let us kneel. Let us, like the Magi, who knelt before the Christ Child, offer our worship and give our offerings to Jesus, our Lord and King. How can we bring similar offerings to Christ? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Bring your Gold. How can we offer Gold? We offer gold to God, when we love Jesus with our whole heart, and out of love to Him, present our will by perfect obedience and continual self-denial, because our will is our most precious treasure. We also offer Christ gold when we assist the poor by alms given in the spirit of God s name and when we give of our treasure to help build Jesus Kingdom of Love and Peace. When invited, we will come forward to place our money offering in the plate before the Gold; for where our money is so also is our heart. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Bring your Frankincense. How can we offer Frankincense? We offer Christ frankincense when we devoutly and ardently pray, especially when we meditate upon God s omnipotence, love, goodness, justice and mercy. When invited, we will come forward to kneel / bow before Jesus in the manger to smell the incense and light a candle to honor him. 13

Bring your Myrrh. How can we offer Myrrh? We offer Christ myrrh when we avoid excessive comforts, make sacrifices of our time, gifts and treasures so that others may live more free and abundant lives and by receiving God s Grace to allow our sinful ways to die and God s holiness to live. When invited, we will come forward to place our note of sacrifice in the copper bowl on the side of myrrh oil and then receive a blessing with the oil. What can you give Jesus? What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part; yet what I can give him give my heart. We will now present our gifts to Jesus who is our LORD and our God. We will come forward to make our offerings by: Placing our monetary offering in the plate before the Gold; Kneeling (if you are able) or bow to smell the incense and light a candle as a sign of worship; Placing our note of sacrifice in the bowl before the oil and receive a blessing with the oil. Tonight s offering will be given to the ELCA Good Gifts program to supply Food for a Child Orphaned by HIV and AIDS. We hope to be able to support at least one child for a year, costing $250. 14

We will sing the song while we are making our offerings. ELW 815, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light 1 I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus. Refrain In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus. 2 I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus. Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father. Refrain 3 I'm looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus. When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus. Refrain 15

ELW 303, Brightest and Best of the Stars 1 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant redeemer is laid. 2 Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining; low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; angels adore him in slumber reclining, maker and monarch and savior of all. 3 What shall we give him, in costly devotion? Shall we bring incense and off'rings divine, gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine? 4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation, vainly with gifts would his favor secure; richer by far is the heart's adoration, dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. 5 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant redeemer is laid. 16

ELW 301, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light 1 Bright and glorious is the sky, radiant are the heavens high where the golden stars are shining. All their rays to earth inclining beckon us to heav'n above, beckon us to heav'n above. 2 On that holy Christmas night through the darkness beamed a light; all the stars above were paling. all their luster slowly failing as the wondrous star drew nigh, as the wondrous star drew nigh.. 3 Sages from the East afar, when they saw this wondrous star, went to find the king of nations and to offer their oblations to the child, the newborn king, to the child, the newborn king. 4 Him they found in Bethlehem, yet he wore no diadem; there they saw a maiden lowly with an infant pure and holy resting in her loving arms, resting in her loving arms. 17

5 Guided by the star, they found him whose praise the ages sound. We too have a star to guide us, which forever will provide us with the light to find our Lord, with the light to find our Lord. 6 And this star, as bright as day, that will never lead astray with its message so appealing, is the word of God, revealing Christ, the way, the truth, the life, Christ, the way, the truth, the life. 18

We Stand PRAYERS for the WORLD Rejoicing with all the faithful, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. Let us pray for the church throughout the world; for those who proclaim the gospel; for those seeking faith and those looking for hope; for congregations in communities large and small, near and far. We offer this prayer, O Lord, trusting in your Mercy. For you, O God, are with us! For the land and the seas; for all plants and animals; for astronomers and other scientists; for explorers and map makers; for librarians and all who seek to increase and preserve knowledge. We offer this prayer, O Lord, trusting in your Mercy. For you, O God, are with us! For wise leaders and tireless peacemakers; for those whose lives are threatened by violence; and for those who leave their homelands in search of safety or to provide for their families. We offer this prayer, O Lord, trusting in your Mercy. For you, O God, are with us! For those who face prejudice, abuse, or neglect; for those who experience depression; for those yearning for light within dark spaces in their lives; for those who grieve; and for all who are sick (especially). We offer this prayer, O Lord, trusting in your Mercy. For you, O God, are with us! For this assembly; for those who offer their gifts to your service; for those who lead us in worship; for all who reach out to welcome those who are seeking; and for those who guide us in faith. We offer this prayer, O Lord, trusting in your Mercy. For you, O God, are with us! 19

With thanksgiving, we remember all who have died (especially) and those whose lives have inspired us to follow you with joy and hope. We offer this prayer, O Lord, trusting in your Mercy. For you, O God, are with us! Pondering the mystery of your love, we offer our prayers in the name of Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ BLESSING Christ our Lord, to whom kings bowed down in worship and offered gifts, reveal to you his glory and pour upon you the riches of his grace; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen! 20

ELW 715, Christ be Our Light, vs. 1, 2, & 5 1 Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see. Refrain Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today. 2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair. Your word alone has pow'r to save us. Make us your living voice. Refrain 5 Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong. Let us be servants to one another, signs of your kingdom come. Refrain 21

DISMISSAL and RECEIVING of GIFTS We go into the world to walk in God's light, to rejoice in God's love and to reflect God's glory. Thanks be to God! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ As you leave the sanctuary, each household will receive: Chalk for your own home and blessing instructions, Each child will receive: Chocolate in the form of Gold Coins. ** Please join us in the Narthex for a sharing in the Three King s cake. ** POSTLUDE When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among brothers, To make music in the heart. 22