Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 60:1–6
Arise, shine; your light has come; the glory of the Lord appears.
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14
May the king reign forever and deliver the needy.
Ephesians 3:1–12
An ancient mystery is revealed; Gentiles are fellow heirs in Christ.
Matthew 2:1–12
Following a star, wise men visit Jesus and bring him gifts.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
The glory of God has now appeared
through Christ our light, in flesh.
The reign of God has now arrived
through Christ our king, our eternal ruler.
The mystery of God has been revealed
through Christ our peace, ever reconciling.
With the stars to lead us and the magi to teach us,
we come, bringing our gifts to worship God. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
O star-flinging God,
you lead us ever gently toward your promise.
In unlikely ways and through unlikely people,
you are always appearing in our midst,
bringing greater revelations.
Teach us this day to pay attention.
Grant us softness of heart,
so that we don’t miss your appearance.
Bring us into a deeper knowledge of you
as we worship and seek you
on this feast of Epiphany. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God of glory, you give us life.
Through the waters of baptism,
you have gathered us together
as sons and daughters.
We thank you for the mystery of your grace
revealed in Jesus Christ,
who offered your deep love to all creation;
in the name of the One
who claims us as children. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
The light of Christ shines in our lives,
even in those corners where sin lurks.
Let us seek God’s forgiveness
as we pray together.
Eternal God,
wondrous star,
light no darkness can overcome,
drive out the sin in our hearts.
Forgive us for turning from your way,
for denying your truth,
for resisting the life you would have us live.
Refresh us and restore us.
Focus us on the brilliant light of Jesus Christ
that we may see him more clearly
and follow him more nearly,
this day and every day.
Lifting water from the font:
Grace, mercy, and love—
these are the gifts God has given us in Jesus Christ.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
God of light,
whose wisdom shines like stars
in the midnight sky,
make these holy words clear to us
so that our eyes will see your salvation
and our lives will be radiant before you.
We pray expectantly. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Listen for the mystery of God’s grace.
Ephesians 3:2–3
After the readings:
The mystery of the ages
revealed to the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Ephesians 3:9–10
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Glory to God in the highest
and peace to God’s people on earth! Amen.
Luke 2:14
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
God expressed love for all humankind
through Israel, whom God chose
to be a covenant people
to serve him in love and faithfulness.
When Israel was unfaithful,
God disciplined the nation with judgment
and maintained the covenant
through prophets, priests, teachers,
and true believers.
These witnesses called all Israelites
to a destiny
in which they would serve God faithfully
and become a light to the nations.
The same witnesses proclaimed
the coming of a new age,
and a true servant of God
in whom God’s purpose would be realized.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.18
Prayers of Intercession
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
let us pray for the life of the world,
saying: O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Shape us through the mystery of your will
into one body, one people,
sharing in the promise of the gospel.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Work out your eternal purpose among us,
so that the nations may be reconciled
and all peoples may live in peace.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Defend the cause of the poor,
deliver the weak and needy,
and establish justice in this place.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Lift up the hearts of those who mourn;
let them rejoice in your presence
and give thanks for your grace.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, hope of the world,
help us to bear witness to your light
so that all may believe and have life in you;
in your holy name we pray. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
With joyful and radiant hearts,
we gratefully give who we are
and what we have to God.
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God Most High, receive the gifts of our lives
as an offering of gratitude for your grace.
Overshadow us with your Holy Spirit
and let it be with us according to your word,
for nothing is impossible with you. Amen.
Luke 1:35–38; 1 Corinthians 1:4
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
We look to you and we are radiant;
we thrill and rejoice
as nations come to your light
and leaders welcome your dawning.
You call us to arise, and shine,
for your glory has risen upon us.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
With the ancient Magi,
we come to pay him homage;
we give him the treasures of our hearts, our lives.
As his star shines down upon us,
we are overwhelmed with joy.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation
(e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By your Spirit, make us bold
and confident in our faith,
as you reveal to us the mystery of ages,
your plan for the world—
to bring all peoples
to the knowledge of your grace in Jesus Christ.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
Giving God,
as kings offered their gifts to the boy Jesus,
you have offered yourself to the world
through the body and blood of Christ.
Thank you for this foretaste
of the heavenly banquet.
Let our lives embody
your justice and righteousness to all people.
With thankful hearts we pray. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the God of glory,
the Word of life,
and the Spirit of truth
bless you all,
now and forever. Alleluia!
John 1:14
Whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God. Amen.
Colossians 3:17
The Adoration of the Christ Child
follower of Jan Joest of Kalkar
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
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Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun (O) DUKE STREET GTG 265, PH 423
-
All Hail to God’s Anointed (O) ROCKPORT GTG 149, PH 205
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What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright (G) PUER NOBIS NASCITUR GTG 152, PH 68
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Tras hermoso lucero / Eastern Sages Set Out (G) HERMOSO LUCERO SSS 108
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What a Friend We Have in Jesus (E) CONVERSE GTG 465
WORD
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Arise, Your Light Is Come! (O) FESTAL SONG GTG 744, PH 411
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Blessed Jesus, at Your Word (E) LIEBSTER JESU GTG 395, PH 454
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’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (G) UNE JEUNE PUCELLE GTG 142, PH 61
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O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem (OG) BEAUTIFUL STAR OF BETHLEHEM VT 275
EUCHARIST
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O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (EG) WIE SCHÖNE LEUCHTET GTG 827, PH 69
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In the Heavens Shone a Star (G) KALINGA GTG 131
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Sing to the King (O) SING TO THE KING LUYH 474
SENDING
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We Three Kings of Orient Are (G) KINGS OF ORIENT GTG 151, PH 66
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As with Gladness Men of Old (G) DIX GTG 150, PH 63
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Sing of God Made Manifest (G) SALZBURG GTG 156
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Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine! (E) ASSURANCE GTG 839
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We Are Marching in the Light of God (O) SIYAHAMBA GTG 853, STF 2235
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14
Metrical
-
All Hail to God’s Anointed / Hail to the Lord’s Anointed [ROCKPORT, ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN, KELVINGROVE]; GTG 149, PH 205, PAS 72A, LUYH 109, PP 134 (with refrain)
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Jesus Shall Reign [DUKE STREET]; GTG 265, PAS 72B, LUYH 219, PH 423
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Give Justice to Your King, O Lord [CMD]; SGP 104
Responsorial
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Lord, Every Nation on Earth Will Adore You; PAS 72C (alt.) (pointed vv.), PFTS1 20 (throughcomposed vv.)
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All Nations Shall Behold [ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN]; HTP1 104
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All Kings Will Bow; PSA 64B
Organ Music
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“IN DIR IST FREUDE,” BWV 615, J. S. Bach, various editions and IMSLP.org (MA
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“Prélude sur l’Introit de l’Epiphanie,” Maurice Duruflé, Augsburg Organ Library: Epiphany, AF (M)
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“WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET,” Augsburg Organ Library: Epiphany, Mark Sedio, AF (M
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“Toccata all’offertorio in C major and Pastorale in C Major,” Part 1, No. 15 and 16, Sonate d’Intavolatura per Organo e Cimbalo, Op. 1, Domenico Zipoli, IMSLP.org (E)
Piano Music
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“Brightest and Best,” STAR IN THE EAST, Carols for the Intermediate Pianist, Mark Hayes, LOR (M)
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“We Three Kings,” KINGS OF ORIENT, Born in Us Today, Brad Nix, LOR (MA)
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“’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime,” UNE JEUNE PUCELLE, Amid the Cold of Winter, Michael Larkin, MSM (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“Before the Song Was Done,” Sarah Quartel, OUP, SATB, pno (ME)
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“Noble Magi,” Nancy Gifford, CGA, uni / 2 pt mx, pno, opt hp (E)
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“We Three Kings,” Amy Gordon, Musicspoke, SATB div, acap (MA)
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“Coventry Carol,” B. E. Boykin, OUP, SATTB, acap, solo (MA)
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“The Everlasting Light,” Nancy Raabe, AF, 2 pt mx, keybd (E)
Art
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The Adoration of the Christ Child, follower of Jan Joest of Kalkar (MET)
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Isaiah 60:1, Timothy R. Botts, 2016 (EYE)
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Journey of the Magi, James Tissot, 1894 (VDL)
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Arrival of the Kings, Frank Wesley, 1923-2002 (VDL)
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Adoration of the Magi, Cristóbal de Villalpando, 1683 (VCS)
