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Prelude “Wie Schoen Leuchtet der Morgenstern Op. 22” Neils W. Gade
“Wie Schoen Leucht’ uns der Morgenstern” and “Jesu Meine Freude” Joseph Ahrens
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “Morning Hymn” Iverson
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Rev. Gregg Neel
Later, after the angels, after the stable, after the Child,
they went back, as we always must,
back to the world that doesn’t understand
our talk of angels and stars and especially not the Child.
We go back complaining that it doesn’t last.
They went back singing praises to God!
We do have to go back,
but we can still sing the alleluias! Alleluia. Let us worship God.
(“Later” by Ann Weems, Kneeling in Bethlehem)
*Hymn #140 “Once in Royal David’s City” IRBY
Once in royal David’s city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild;
Jesus Christ, her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor and meek and lowly,
lived on earth our Savior holy.
Jesus is our childhood’s pattern;
day by day like us he grew;
he was little, weak and helpless;
tears and smiles like us he knew;
and he feels for all our sadness,
and he shares in all our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see him,
through his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle
is our Lord in heaven above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Junha Kim
Why do we huddle in the shadowed corners of life, rather than running to the Light of life? Why do we love the wrong we do rather than grasping the good news offered to us? As we struggle with such questions, let us speak to God of all we have failed to do, seeking hope and grace as we pray, first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
We search for your light, Caster of Stars, but too often end up settling for the dimness of temptation. Our motives for seeking to find Christ are not always pure, for we expect him to fulfill our desires, rather than your hopes for us. We want the gifts of wealth, health, success, and fulfillment, rather than those of servanthood, of compassion, of peace. Help us to be like those wise people of so long ago, who found hope, instead of a destination; who found grace, instead of gratitude; who found salvation, instead of a sign. As we journey with your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, fill us with the light of your joy and love.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
Grace has been poured into our hearts, love has flooded our souls, the light of hope shines in us.
This is the light which has come to all, the light we will carry and give to everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1-12 Rev. Gregg Neel
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘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.’”
Then Herod called the wise men secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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, frankincense and myrrh. 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.
Moments with Children Eliz Roser
Sermon “Fear and the King” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #152 “What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright” PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
What star is this, with beams so bright,
Which shame the sun’s less radiant light?
’Tis sent t’ announce a new-born King,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.
’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed:
“From Jacob shall a star proceed”;
And lo! the eastern sages stand
To read in heav’n the Lord’s command.
While outward signs the star displays,
An inward light the Lord conveys,
And urges them, with force benign,
To seek the Giver of the sign.
Oh, while the star of heav’nly grace
Invites us, Lord, to seek thy face,
May we no more that grace repel,
Or quench that light, which shines so well!
To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
May every tongue and nation raise
An endless song of thankful praise!
Sharing Joys & Concerns Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
(Text 73256 the word WESTPRESPDX to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply. If you’re new to Westminster, please let us know by filling out a pink visitor card, found in the pew rack, and place it in the offering plate. Thank you.)
Offertory Anthem “Behold a Star from Jacob Shining” Felix Mendelssohn Behold a star from Jacob shining, and a scepter from Israel rising,To reign in glory over the nations.Like some bright morning star is he, the promise of the coming day,Beyond the night of sorrow. Break forth, O Light!We, our joyful hearts uplifting with thanksgiving,Hail the brightness of Thy rising.
*Doxology – Hymn #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Invitation to the Table Rev. Junha Kim
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Rev. Eileen Parfrey
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks to our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right to give you thanks and praise, O God, because from the beginning, you invited us on a journey with you, a journey of wonders and miracles, a journey of healing and joy, a journey of mystery, a journey full of life and love. And so in thanks and praise we join our voices in the song of the angels and saints, who sing forever to you as we sing these words:
Blessed is your son, O God, our savior Jesus Christ, who joined us on our journey, who was so full of grace and truth that we cannot help but follow him. When his path went back to you, you sent us your spirit to continue alongside us, to empower and inspire us to continue to be your people. Now we pray that the same spirit will be among us, and among these elements of bread and cup, that our ordinary meal will become our sacred beast, to nourish us for the next part of the journey.
As we break bread together, as we drink from the same cup, unite us as people who are grateful for the journey, for each other’s company, and for your guiding presence. And hear us as we are bold to say together the prayer that Jesus taught others.
Remembering him, and all your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we ask that you would pour our Holy Spirit among us and upon this bread and this cup; that the bread we break and the cup we bless would become for us His body and blood.
Illumine our hearts with the radiance of Christ’s presence, that our lives may show forth his love in this weary world. Teach us to befriend the lost, to serve the poor, to reconcile our enemies, and to love our neighbors, until that day when you complete the creation and redemption of the world. We pray together the Lord’s 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.
Words of Institution
On the night before the Lord Jesus died, he took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed with my life, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Receiving the Bread and the Cup and the Epiphany Stars
(Today, the congregation is invited to come forward to receive communion. Someone will hand you a piece of bread, which you will eat. You may then move to the next person, who will hand you a cup of juice, which you will drink. As you return to your pew, you may put your cup in the basket. Then, you may take a star and discover your guiding word for this new year. For those unable to come forward, a pastor will bring you the elements.)
Communion Anthem “The Ground” Ola Gjeilo
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Grant us peace.
Prayer After Communion Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Almighty God, you have filled us with the Light of the World, who became flesh and lived among us. Let that light of faith shine in all we do, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Light, our hope and salvation and guide. Amen.
*Hymn #151 “We Three Kings of Orient Are” KINGS OF ORIENT
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
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, voices 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 through the earth and skies. [Refrain]
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Postlude “Finale-Allegro from Organ Sonata No. 1 in F” Felix Mendelssohn
You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart quietly.