December 31, 2023 - Epiphany - Audio

EPIPHANY SUNDAY
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Pastor: Rev. Kendra Balliet
Organist: Jim Ross

Prelude - “Good Christian Men Rejoice”- Willard Nevins
Welcome

*Call to Worship - God Loved the World (St. Crispin LM) Leader: God loved the world so that he gave, His only Son the lost to save,
People: That all who would in him believe, should everlasting life receive.
Leader: Christ is the solid rock of faith, who was made flesh and suffered death.
People: All who confide in him alone are built on this chief cornerstone.

Opening Hymn - “There’s a Song in the Air” #249

*Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader: Out of his grace and love for the world, God promised to send a Savior. Through the inspired words of the prophets, the promise was repeated to generation after generation. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Child to come:
People: “To us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
Leader: Isaiah also prophesied that the child, the son, would be born of a virgin:
People: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.”
Leader: The name Emmanuel means “God with us.” In Jesus Christ, the Holy Child of Bethlehem, the son of Mary and Son of God, God himself was born among us.
People: God is with us!
(Three purple, one pink, and one white candles are lit on the Advent wreath.)

*Confessional Prayer
Pastor: Let us confess our sins to God and ask his forgiveness.
People: Almighty God, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus our Lord, we recognize our need for a Savior. We have often turned away from your will and your Word. We have listened to the temptations of the world around us. Instead of walking in obedience to you, we follow our own sinful desires. We do not love others as we should. Have mercy on us and forgive us.
Pastor: In Jesus, God himself walked on earth. He took onto himself the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins. He rose in triumph over death. By God’s grace through faith in Jesus, we have forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
People: We give thanks and praise to Jesus, the Lord Emmanuel, who is God with us!

Response “Light the Advent Candle” #2090 vs 5

Children's Chat

Hymn “We Three Kings” #254

Blessing of the Gifts for the Babies in Honor of the Baby

Music Ministry & Offertory -“Little Jesus Sweetly Sleep” – Richard Warner

Doxology (#95) & Prayer of Gratitude

Scripture- John 1:1-14
Series-The Light of Grace
Sermon – “Presence: Angels"

Hymn “Amazing Grace” #378 vs. 6

Joys/Concerns

Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn - “The First Noel” #245

Action Steps & Benediction
Pastor: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God …
People: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as
of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
People: Amen.

Postlude - “A Festal Fanfare” – J.S. Bach

The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in honor of the birthday of Carolyn Turnbull by her sister Joyce Minnis.