Epiphany
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CALL TO WORSHIP
Isaiah 60:3
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
—Tim Smith
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INVOCATION
Everlasting God, as we gather today to worship may your Holy Spirit be with us. May our worship be authentic and sincere. May we worship you with the same joy that the wise men of the East experienced upon seeing Christ. Fill us with that same sense of wonder and excitement for our Lord and your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
—Tim Smith
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MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)
- We Three Kings
- Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
- The First Noel (with special attention paid to verses 2-5 as they deal with the Magi)
—Tim Smith
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CALL TO CONFESSION
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
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CHILDREN’S SERMON
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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O God, as we hear your word read and proclaimed may your Holy Spirit open our ears, minds, and hearts, to its hearing. As we once more hear the story of the Magi may we be filled with faith to follow you wherever you lead us. Amen.
—Tim Smith
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SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS
- Matthew 2:1-12
—Tim Smith
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SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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LITANY
Psalm 72
Leader: Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the king’s son;
People: That he may rule your people righteously
and the poor with justice;
Leader: That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people,
and the little hills bring righteousness.
People: He shall defend the needy among the people;
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
Leader: He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure,
from one generation to another.
People: He shall come down like rain upon the mown field,
like showers that water the earth.
Leader: In his time shall the righteous flourish;
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
People: The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute,
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
Leader: All kings shall bow down before him,
and all the nations do him service.
People: For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress,
and the oppressed who has no helper.
Leader: He shall have pity on the lowly and poor;
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
People: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence,
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
All: May God’s kingdom come. Amen.
—Tim Smith
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INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Mathew 2:11
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.
—Tim Smith
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OFFERTORY PRAYER
Today we bring before you gifts, tithes, and offerings just as the Magi brought before you gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. May you accept them as a sign of our love and commitment to you. May you bless these offerings and may they be used to shine the light of Christ into a dark and dying age. All glory to Christ now and forever. Amen.
—Tim Smith
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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
As we leave your house this day
May you fill us with the faith to follow you always,
even in uncertain days.
May you put your light before us
so that we may follow your path. Amen.
—Tim Smith
