Prelude Voluntary on Noël Nouvelet Richard Hudson
Welcome And Opening Prayer Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for your light has come.
Behold the glory of the Lord. Alleluia!
Hymn We Three Kings of Orient Are
We three kings of Orient are,
bearing gifts we traverse afar
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never
over us all to reign. (Refrain)
Frankincense to offer have I,
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising gladly raising,
worshiping God on high. (Refrain)
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom,
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. (Refrain)
Glorious now behold him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
sounds thro’ the earth and skies.
Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Merciful God, Light of the world, we confess that we have not resisted the darkness of sin. You deliver the poor and the helpless, but we have ignored their cry. You take pity on the weak and the destitute, but our hearts are hard in the face of their need. You heal the wounded and save the oppressed but we have placed our trust in the callous violence of war. Forgive us, we pray. Awaken in us sincere repentance that we may shine with the light of your saving grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (silent confession)
Offertory Mary Did You Know?
Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1–12
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.
Sermon Clerk of Session Pat Walsh & Ruling Elder Elizabeth Moulthrop
Pastoral 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.
Hymn Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and come to our aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
What shall we give him, in costly devotion?
Shall we bring incense and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each lavish 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.
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and come to our aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid!
Live Prayer for the Nation
Song A Bleak Midwinter
Benediction
In the Life of Our Church & Virtual Coffee Hour
Join Us on Zoom