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About this Sermon |

Matthew 2:1-12
As we meet the Magi in this morning’s text from Matthew chapter 2, we consider the idea that they showed us what it looks like to persevere. What if perseverance is a gift to us in this particular year, in this particular place?

Order of Worship |

Sunday, January 3, 2021

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Prelude – “We Three Kings” – Melanie Manges

Welcome to Worship – Len Wilson

Gathering Song – “Joy to the World” – Worship Team

(Verse 1) Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, heaven and nature sing!
(Verse 2) Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ!
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy!

Call to Worship* – Len Wilson

One: The Magi had a dream.
All: They dreamed of a Messiah.
They dreamed of just rulers.
They dreamed of a new day for all people.
One: The Magi had a dream, and this dream led them to action.
All: They journeyed to unknown places.
They followed a star.
They walked for days to get to Jesus.
One: So may we be like the Magi,
All: May our dreams inspire action.
May we worship the one true God. Amen.

Hymn of Praise – “Arise Your Light is Come” – Worship Team

(Verse 1) Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call bey;
Show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
(Verse 4) Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing, God’s power will make us strong.

Children’s Sermon – Rev. Lisa Williams Hood

Invitation to Prayer – Rev. Hood

“Coventry Carol” arr. Kellner
Melanie Manges, piano

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer – Rev. Hood

Special Music – “We Three Kings of Orient Are” – Worship Team

New Testament Reading – Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)  – Rev. Hood

Homily – “Those Who Dream…persevere” – Rev. Hood

Invitation to the Table – Rev. Hood

Hymn of Epiphany – “The First Noel” – Worship Team

(Verse 1) The first Noel, the angels did say,
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
(Refrain) Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel.
(Verse 2) They looked up and saw a
star shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
(Refrain) Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel.
(Verse 3) And by the light of that same star,
There wisemen came from country far,
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
(Refrain) Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel.

Offering – Rev. Hood

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift,
Teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are,
That we might praise you not with our words only,
But with our whole lives. Amen.

Offertory

“Silent Night” arr. Hopson
Harriet Coppoc, flute
Melanie Manges, handbells

Doxology – “Melanie Manges

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Announcements – Rev. Hood

BenedictionRev. Hood

Postlude – “The First Noel” arr. Hopson – Melanie Manges

Worship Leaders in this Service:

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CCLI Streaming License #20427736

*Prayer, Call to Worship, and Candle Litany written by Sarah Are/A Sanctified Art LLC/sanctifiedart.org. “Those Who Dream” Artwork by A Sanctified Art LLC/sanctifiedart.org.