Celebrating the Lord's Day at Bazetta Christian Church January 7, 2018 First Sunday after Epiphany (Feast of the Wise Men) Worship: Early 9:30 a.m. Worship: Afresh 11:15 a.m. The Church Gathers Before God GREETINGS IN CHRIST MUSIC FOR CENTERING Beautiful Star of Bethlehem * CALL TO WORSHIP Karen Wrightsman, Liturgist L: Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, C: Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. L: Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; C: Worship the Lord in holy splendor. L: May the Lord give strength to his people! C: May the Lord bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29:1-2,11) * SONG OF PRAISE We Three Kings #172 * OPENING PRAYER L: Let us join together in prayer. O God of light and peace, whose glory, shining in the child of Bethlehem, still draws the nations to yourself: dispel the darkness that shrouds our path, that we may come to kneel before Christ in true worship, offer him our hearts and souls, and return from his presence to live as he has taught. Amen. * THE PEACE The people exchange with one another, by words and gesture, signs of peace and reconciliation. OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 NIV; NIV Pew Bible Page 1155 PRAYERS OF GOD S PEOPLE * DOXOLOGY #46 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow PREPARATION FOR GOD S WORD In the Sanctuary GOSPEL LESSON SERMON Children depart for Sonshine Hour. Chancel Choir Matthew 2:1-12 NIV; NIV Pew Bible Page 1497 The Light of the Star * SONG OF PRESENTATION #173 As with Gladness THE LORD'S SUPPER AND *OFFERING Words of Institution and the Communion Prayer The Lord s Prayer Partaking of the Bread and Cup Christ Has Died Christ Is Risen Christ Will Come Again Offertory Prayer of Thanksgiving COMMUNION MUSIC Ephiphany Song * SONG FOR SENDING #161 I Wonder as I Wander *All who are able may stand. Kandy Barnett, Musician Heather Trowbridge, Choir Director Samantha Carpenter, Jaden Davis, Acolytes
THIS WEEK AT BAZETTA CHRISTIAN CHURCH Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. Administrative Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Next 9:30 a.m. Worship Early Sunday: 11:15 a.m. Worship Afresh 5:30 p.m. Light Supper & Alpha 6-7:30 p.m. Youth Groups FOR OUR CHILDREN Our infant nursery is available during our worship service. The nursery is located down the main hallway on the left-hand side, 5 th door down. Our Nursery Supervisor is Megan Cross. Pagers are available. Children s activity packets are available for use during worship. These packets are on the table in the hallway at the back of the sanctuary. Children are invited to depart for Sonshine Hour following the Preparation for God s Word. In case of emergencies: Fire Alarm: Calmly and quickly evacuate the building. Reassemble at the flagpole. Do not block the fire lanes. All doors in the sanctuary lead to outside exits. Tornado Warning: Calmly and quickly exit through the rear doors and assemble in the hallway of the Educational Wing/Child Care area. Stay away from all doors and windows. Gunshots or Threats: Duck down between the pews to shield yourself and allow the Security Team to handle the situation. Stewardship Corner Weekly Budgeted amount needed = $5,348.00 Amount Received on December 31, 2017: $2,267.48 Bazetta Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Rev. Sanford W. Downs, III, Interim Pastor 4131 Bazetta Road, Cortland, Ohio 44410 Church Telephone: (330)637-6312 or Fax: (330)637-6239 E-mail: BazettaCC@gmail.com www.bazettachristianchurch.net Pastor Sandy s E-Mail: pastorsandy@mail.com (NOT pastorsandy@gmail.com)
Pastor Sandy s Cell: 334-748-0737 OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 NIV; NIV Pew Bible Page 1155 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. 6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 NIV; NIV Pew Bible Page 1497 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi [a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: 6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. [b] 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as
you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION This is the Lord s Table and Christ invites you to share this meal of grace. Christ recognizes you and looks upon you with favor. Christ befriends you and wants you within his circle. Count yourself among Christ s disciples by partaking in this feast of fellowship.
Words of Institution Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father s kingdom.
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS By the light of a star, three nameless kings found their way to Bethlehem and to the Christ, God s anointed one. You may not have seen any star pointing your way to our church today, but we believe that God led you to us just the same. We welcome you warmly. Join us in our pilgrimage. If you have questions concerning membership with this congregation, speak w/pastor Sandy or any of the BCC Elders. A Friendly Reminder: Please silence or turn off your cell phones upon entering the sanctuary. Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Undecorating BCC: Please plan to help after Worship Afresh. Many hands make light work and the more people, the merrier! Bible Study will continue this Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal will continue this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Come and make a joyful noise unto the Lord. TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL!!! Life Beyond Amazing by Dr. David Jeremiah has begun! This program is sponsored by the Men s Group and is open to the Whole Congregation. The plan is to meet every other Thursday. The next meeting date is Thursday, January 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Bring your family and friends!!! 2017 Giving Statements have been prepared and are available in the Gathering Space. There is a sign-up sheet to request one in case yours isn t in the box. 2018 Offering Envelopes are available in the Gathering Space. There is a choice of weekly or monthly. Envelope box numbers are listed on a sheet. Please sign by the number you have selected. 2018 Chancel Area Flowers: Flowers can be ordered to adorn our chancel area on Sunday mornings. The small centerpiece is $12.50 and the large centerpiece is $17.50. Please pay two weeks before the date you have selected. Sign up on the bulletin board. Liturgists: Please sign up on the bulletin board for the date you would like to serve in worship. 2017 BCC Cookbooks: See Shelley Dolgae to purchase them. The cost is $10.00 each and checks can be made payable to Bazetta Christian Church and marked Cookbook in the memo. Our new Alpha program starts TODAY!!! January 7 Come at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a light meal. We will meet weekly until Easter. Please come and bring your family and friends!!! This is an excellent time to renew your own faith and learn more about Christianity.