LANGLEY UNITED CHURCH

̶= 0;Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are called together by Jesus:<= /p>

to worship God; to gr= ow as disciples of Christ; to serve the world and each other;

and to offer hospitali= ty and welcome to all.”

=

Minister Rev. Rod Mac= Kinnon 604-530-5912

January 3^{rd, 2010
      10 am=}

Epiphany Sunday<= /o:p>

The name Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, was a popular name for boy= s in first-century Palestine. Hundreds of young boys answered to it. No doubt their parents had hopes of = what their journeys would bring, dreams that they wou= ld be a blessing to others. In the life of the particular child Jesus whom we name Christ we see dreams and journeys that make his name known far beyond his homeland. The beginning of that journey to the people of the world is celeb= rated today in the feast of the Epiphany.

We Gather in God’s Name

Gathering Music:

MV #190 Laughter Lit the Stars of Morn= ing

VU #96 Will You Come and See the Light=

VU #91 The First Nowell

Greetings and Announcements

Preparation for Worship, Quiet Meditation

Introit:&nbs= p;     MV #14 Where Two or Three Are Gathered (3x)

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise: VU #79 Arise, Your Light Is Come

Opening prayer:

God of each new year, new day, new = life:

      how gla= d are our hearts that we should gather

     at this new be= ginning!

As ancient Wise Ones = chose to heed the light =

      that yo= u set before them, <= /p>
      so, too= , we heed the light that has come into our world.

As their faithfulness hampered the violence of Herod,

     so, too, let o= ur response set the world further

     on the path of= peace.

Receive this gift of worship we offer, and let it fill us

     with courage a= nd hope for the year ahead.    Amen

Learning with Children

Children’s Song: VU #87 I Am the Light of the World

Praye= r of Confession:

      One:     Loving God, your star guided the Magi to Jesus, your

        =                 Chosen Child, but it was a disturbing and difficult

        =                 journey.

      All:=     When we la= ck the courage to venture into unfamiliar

        =                 territory, O God, forgive us.

&nb= sp;     One:     Your star led the Magi to grapple with Herod,

        =                 an evil person.

      All:=     When we fa= il to name a source of evil, or fail to

        =                 affirm the good, O God, forgive us.

&nb= sp;     One:     Your star came to rest over the birthplace of Jesus, where

            gifts were given to him.

All: &n= bsp;   When we fail to bring our best gifts, or our most

               =    appropriate gifts, to serve you, O God, forgive us.

One:     Your star was left behind as the Holy Family fled the

               =    anger of Herod to Egypt.

All: &n= bsp;   When we are not able to see the refugee, or help the

                  = stranger in our neighborhood, O God, forgive us.<= /o:p>

         (silent reflection)

Assur= ance of Pardon:

&nb= sp;     One:     God cares about the gifts that are ours and wants us to

        =                 recognize them and use them well.

        &= nbsp;         God blesses us when we confront our lack of courage,

            and decide to take the rough but right way.

      God will g= o with us when we do.

      Pardon and= peace are ours.

All: &n= bsp;   Thanks be to God!

Passi= ng the Peace of Christ:

    = One:     The Peace of Chri= st is with you.

    = All:=     And also w= ith you.

Sung Response:   VU #717 Hallelujah<= /span>                  &nb= sp;             &= nbsp;   =

We Listen for God’s Word<= /o:p>

The Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 60: 1-6 (p.690)=

In this reading, the prophet Isaiah tells us that we no longer need to fumble around in the dark. The light has come, showing us how to live.

The Responsive Psalm:   Psalm 72: 1-7, = 10-14 (VU p.790 Parts 1&2)

This psalm was prayer= used at a coronation or at the annual commemoration of that event. It describes = the qualities of an ideal ruler. This ruler is wise with the wisdom of God, sho= wing concern for the oppressed and marginalized – not a servant of death b= ut of life.

The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2: 1-12 (p.2)

The story of the comi= ng of the Magi reminds us that often it takes outsiders to help us see what we already know. We can see the walls dividing people, races and cultures brea= king down.

Anthem:    Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Quar= tet: Vicki Richardson<= /span>, Calla Krause, Robert Nelson and Tim Bailey

Reflection

We Respond to God’s Word<= /o:p>

Hymn: VU 81 As with Gladness Men of Old

Sharing Our Joys and Concerns

As We Prepare to Pray: VU 370 Send Your Holy Spirit

Prayers of the People and Our Lord’s Prayer

Presenting Our Gifts

Offertory:&n= bsp;     The Three Kings from Nativity S= uite by W. Held

Doxology:&nb= sp;     VU 541 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Offering Prayer

Communion Hymn:   VU #92 In the Darkness Shines the Splendour<= /b>

The Sacrament of Communion=

<= span lang=3DEN-CA style=3D'font-family:"CG Times \(W1\)";text-transform:uppercas= e; mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>   =    Communion Prayer

      God is with you.

      =       And also with you.

      Lift up your hearts.

      =       We lift them to God.

      Let us give thanks to our God.

      =       It is right to give our thanks and praise.

      … to proclaim the glory of your name. <= /span>

      (MV 203):

      O holy, holy, holy God,

      =       O God of time and space.

      All earth and sea and sky above

      =       bear witness to your grace.

      Hosanna in the highest heav’n,

      =       creation sings your praise.

      And blessed is the One who comes

      =       and bears your name always!

      … Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

      (MV 204):

      Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen,<= /span>

      =       Christ will come again!

      Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen,<= /span>

      =       Christ will come again!

      … now and forever.

      (MV 205):

      Amen, amen, O Holy One!

      =       Hosanna and Amen!

      Amen, amen, O Holy One,

      =       Hosanna and Amen!

            VU #460 All Who Hunger

      VU #478 You Satisfy a Hungry Heart &nb= sp;

      VU #467 One Bread, One Body

&nb= sp;

We Go Forth to Serve

Closing Hymn:    VU 84 O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word

Commissioning and Benediction

Threefold Amen: MV 205 Amen, Amen, O Holy One!   =

Postlude:&nb= sp; Praise Ye the Lord of Hosts from C= hristmas Oratorio by C. Saint-Saens=

      (Please remain seated during the Postl= ude)

The Letter to the Church:     Ephesians 3: 1-12

Paul makes a startling claim. Through Jesus, the Jews are no longer the sole “light to the nations.” Gentiles have become “fellow heir= s, members of the same body.”