Bulletins - Covenant Presbyterian Church UA

Covenant Presbyterian Church

Epiphany

January 8, 2023 – 10am

Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.

PRELUDE “Brightest and Best Are the Stars of the Morning” arr. Linker

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Calling all seekers, all dreamers, all believers…

Calling all glass-half-full optimists and lighthouse keepers...

Calling all star-chasers and bedtime prayer speakers…

Bring your questions, your hope, your faith and your fear into this space.

People: God is here.

*HYMN #147 “The First Nowell” (verses 1, 2, 3, 5) Ribbon

1 The first Nowell the angel 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:

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

born is the King of Israel.

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]

3 And by the light of that same star

three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent,

and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]

5 Then entered in those wise men three,

full reverently upon their knee,

and offered there in his presence

their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. [Refrain]

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of starlight,

we know that faith isn’t a vending machine.

Good news can’t be bought or manufactured.

It does not arrive with a push of a button.

Instead, in this noisy world, we have to look for you in our midst.

We have to walk toward you, just as the Magi did.

We have to believe that love really can change the world.

We have to seek the stars beyond the city lights.

Forgive us for forgetting that.

Forgive us for seeking you with only part of our hearts.

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS

HYMN #132 “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” (verse 3) Ribbon

Good Christian friends, rejoice

with heart and soul and voice;

now ye need not fear the grave:

Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all

to gain the everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!

PASSING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord, be with you all. And also with you.

HYMN #188 “Jesus Loves Me”

TALK WITH CHILDREN

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Cross

THE FIRST READING Isaiah 60:1-6 (NRSVUE)

1 Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

2 For darkness shall cover the earth

and thick darkness the peoples,

but the Lord will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

3 Nations shall come to your light

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together; they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you;

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense

and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

The mystery of the ages, revealed to all. Thanks be to God.

SPECIAL MUSIC “We Three Kings of Orient Are” arr. Dobrinski

THE GOSPEL READING Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSVUE)

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

PRAYER OF THE DAY †

Shepherd of Israel

and Light of all Nations,

made known in the gifts

of those who call to other names

and walk on different ways:

may unjust powers

and the hatred within us

be dismayed by your friendship

and dethroned by your love;

through Jesus Christ, the open arms of grace.

Amen.

SERMON “We Keep Seeking”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven… (Hymnal p. 35. We say “debts & debtors.”)

OFFICER INSTALLATION

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

You can give online to Covenant by scanning this QR code.

OFFERTORY “Christmas Lullaby” by John Rutter

*DOXOLOGY #606 Ribbon

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.

*Prayer of Dedication Cross

*HYMN #151 “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (verses 1-5) Ribbon

1 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 night,

star with royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding,

guide us to thy perfect light!

2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,

gold I bring to crown him again,

King forever, ceasing never

over us all to reign. [Refrain]

3 Frankincense to offer have I;

incense owns a deity nigh;

prayer and praising gladly raising,

worshiping God Most High. [Refrain]

4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

breathes a life of gathering gloom;

sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]

5 Glorious now behold him arise,

King and God and Sacrifice:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Reprise of “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

Unless otherwise noted, prayers by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

† From Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare. New York: Church Publishing, 2009

Assisting in Worship Today:

Jim Buchanan–Liturgist

Whitney Dodds–Vocalist

Nan Davidson- Campanile Bell Choir Director

Cherie Brooks – Director of Music & Technology

Katie Wynkoop–Organist/Pianist & Assistant Director of Music

Erin Wise – Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries

Brian Biller – Media Production Specialist

Rev. Joel A. Esala–Pastor

“The Golden Pilgrimage”

by Carmelle Beaugelin

Inspired by Matthew 2:1-12

Acrylic, gilding paint, canvas collage on handmade reclaimed paper