Epiphany Snow Day (We will have an Epiphany do-over next week, but in the meantime, here is a little something to encourage worship tomorrow even though we will not be in our sanctuary together)
Announcements
LOGOS starts back on Wednesday, January 18th! Please pray asking God to show you how you can help to support and strengthen this ministry.
Prelude – “We Three Kings” (the Piano Guys) https://www.youtube.com/watch?
A few fun facts about Epiphany to read while you are listening!
Opening Prayer and Call to Worship
Jesus, as we travel far and fast,
lead our minds back to the wise men following your star,
and forward to the day
when all will see your shining light.
Jesus, light of the world,
let your bright star stand over the place
where the poor have to live;
lead our sages to wisdom and our rulers to reverence.
O God, by the leading of a star
you revealed your Son Jesus Christ to the gentiles;
grant that your Church may be a light to the nations,
so that the whole world may come to see
the splendor of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Scripture – 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.
Reflection
THE MAGI COME ASKING, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” Tradition has it that there were three Magi, probably because the Bible account names three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh.) The names used for these Magi are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, and tradition also says that they are of three different ethnic groups, signifying that Christ comes not just for one nation but for all people.
In fact, that is what we celebrate in January at Epiphany: Jesus Christ as the Light of the world. We celebrate Christ as Light to the whole world, not as the Light to one small group in the world. …
Commentators have said we seem in a hurry after Christmas to box up once again our patience, our tolerance, our generosity and put them back in the attic, as if we can sustain good behavior for a few weeks but wouldn’t want to risk making it a way of life. We may also put away our willingness to give a bit more, to be more forgiving, even to be more patient in traffic as we often are during the holidays. Perhaps we even box up our desires to hope and our openness to miracles and mystery, as if the messages of the Christmas stories can’t quite survive the rigors of real life in the rest of the year. The Magi call us to continue our observance of Christ’s coming after December is over.
– Mary Lou Redding in "While We Wait"
Worship Activity Options
Family/Individual Star Collage (paper, scissors, crayons)
One of the symbols of Epiphany is the star.
Draw or cut out 3 different stars for each participant. Write somewhere on those stars where you have seen God recently. (In a place, person, or situation)
Decorate your stars as you discuss with one another your “sightings.” If you are working on this alone, take a picture of your stars and post them to Facebook! Or send them to the church office, and we will post them on the church Facebook page!
Family/Individual Star Collage Take Two! (paper, scissors, crayons, a candle)
The wise men brought gifts to Jesus.
Draw or cut out 3 different stars for each participant. Write somewhere on those stars the gifts that you would like to bring to God with your life in 2017. (generosity, a positive attitude, hope, mercy, compassion, etc.)
Decorate your stars and discuss how you can help each other remember these gifts each day. If you are working on this alone, take a picture of your stars and post them to facebook! Or send them to the church office, and we will post them on the church facebook page!
Light your candle and pray for God to help you remember to offer your gifts with joy!
Door Blessing (paper and pen)
Did you know that it is a tradition during Epiphany to bless your house?
Create a blessing for your own home.
Need some help getting started? Here you go.
God, bless this house and bless_________________________
Fill this dwelling with__________________________
Let this space shine with your divine light that we can see in our family_______________________ (name any areas where you would like for divine light to shine. Your conversations? Your calendar? Your rest?)
May we be visited by family and friends, especially____________________
May all who enter here receive what they need, and feel richly blessed with their heart's desires.
Closing song
Brightest and Best (two different versions from which to choose)
Option 1 – choral and a fun, great recording - https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Option 2 – Kathy Mattea with a few different words - https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Closing prayer
O God, you made of one blood all nations, and by a star in the East, revealed to all peoples him whose name is Emmanuel. Enable us who know your presence with us so to proclaim his unsearchable riches, that all may come to his light and bow before the brightness of his rising, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
