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 —
Call to Worship
Arise, shine, for your light has come!
Jesus is good news for all.
The Lord shines upon all creation.
Jesus is good news for all.
We are members of one body.
Jesus is good news for all.
Look, all have gathered, bringing gifts to offer.
Jesus is good news for all.
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.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the wonder and love you offer us
through the gift of our baptism—
your Word made flesh among us,
a child and Savior born to us,
good news of great joy for all.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
let us be born anew from above
so that we may give glory to you
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Even when God’s light gives us a clear path to follow,
we find ourselves wandering in the wilderness.
We do not need to hide from the light;
we can come before God with every part of our lives,
that we may be restored to God’s way for us.
Holy Refugee of Israel,
we would like to believe that we would be like the magi,
that we would protect the innocent child,
that we would stand up to power.
But too often we have turned away from those who need us.
Too often we have bent to the powers that be,
resigning ourselves to the way it has always been.
Forgive our lack of action,
guide us back to your purposes,
and help us be brave enough to do your will.
Lifting water from the font:
God calls to us from wherever we are.
God’s love shines like a beacon.
God’s voice echoes in our souls,
“You are forgiven!”
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Holy One, giver of all light,
lift up our hearts and minds to Christ,
the morning star that never fades.
By the light of your Holy Spirit
reveal to us your saving Word
and lead us to offer our lives to you
in service and in love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Treasure these words
and ponder them in your heart.
Luke 2:19
After the readings:
And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
Thanks be to God.
John 1:14
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
The one sufficient revelation of God
is Jesus Christ,
the Word of God incarnate,
to whom the Holy Spirit
bears unique and authoritative witness
through the Holy Scriptures,
which are received and obeyed
as the word of God written.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.27
Prayers of Intercession
Ruler of all, shine your light upon the world.
Hear us as we pray.
We pray for your justice to rule the earth . . .
Let righteousness flourish and peace abound.
Ruler of all, let your light shine.
We pray for the poor . . .
Take pity on the weak and needy.
Ruler of all, let your light shine.
We pray for the leaders of nations . . .
Teach them true wisdom.
Ruler of all, let your light shine.
We pray for your church, the body of Christ . . .
Unite us in mission and service
as fellow heirs of grace.
Ruler of all, let your light shine.
We pray for immigrants and refugees . . .
Grant them welcome and safety.
Ruler of all, let your light shine.
We pray for those who are searching for faith . . .
May they take delight in the child born of Mary.
Ruler of all, let your light shine.
Ruler of all, shine your light upon the world.
Scatter the proud and lift up the lowly
for the sake of Jesus, your Son,
the light of the world. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
From the fullness of God
we have all received grace upon grace.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
John 1:16
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
For gifts abundant and for grace abounding,
we give you thanks, generous God.
Bless the gifts we bring today.
Use these gifts and our lives
to be your gift of grace to others. Amen.
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
We give you thanks, O God,
for the gifts of this table—
precious, prayerful, and poignant—
like gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Lead us forth by your light
to share the gifts of your grace
with all people everywhere,
giving glory, honor, and praise
to Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The loving kindness of the Lord our God,
the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior,
and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit
be with you all. Alleluia!
Titus 3:4–7
Go and tell this good news of great joy:
to us a Savior is born. Amen.
Luke 2:10–11
“Three Wise Men Visit the Baby Jesus”
China, 20th Century
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn (REJOICE, REJOICE) GTG 107 (O)
- What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright (PUER NOBIS NASCITUR) GTG 152 (G)
- Arise, Your Light Is Come! (FESTAL SONG) GTG 744 (O)
- O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (DEO GRACIAS) GTG 618 (E)
WORD
- In the Heavens Shone a Star (KALINGA) GTG 131 (G)
- The People Who Walked in Darkness (ISAIAH 9) GTG 86 (O)
- Now the Heavens Start to Whisper (JEFFERSON/SUO GAN) GTG 94/VT 237 (O)
- Blessed Jesus, at Your Word (LIEBSTER JESU) GTG 395 (E)
EUCHARIST
- We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name (COME, SHARE THE LORD) GTG 510 (G)
- The Bread and the Wine Are Here (LOVE FEAST) GTG 512 (E)
- I Come with Joy (DOVE OF PEACE) GTG 515 (E)
SENDING
- Sing Out, My Soul (MAGNIFICAT (Taiz.)) GTG 646 (E)
- Sing Out with Joy to God Our Strength (SHEPHERDS’ PIPES) GTG 56 (O)
- We Three Kings of Orient Are (KINGS OF ORIENT) GTG 151 (G)
- In Bethlehem a Newborn Baby (IN BETHLEHEM) GTG 153 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14
Metrical
- Be Still, God Will Fight Your Battles [IRREGULAR] AAHH 133
- All Hail to God’s Anointed [ROCKPORT] PH 205
Responsorial
- In His Days, Justice Will Flourish PAS 72C
- I Will Give You as a Light to the Nations UMH 795
Organ Music
- “Prelude sur l’introït de l’Epiphanie en la mineur, op. 13” Augsburg Organ Library: Epiphany, Maurice Duruflé, AF (MA)
- “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern,” BuxWV 223, Complete Organ Works, vol. 4, Dietrich Buxtehude, IMSLP (MA)
- “Psalm 72,” Seasonal Psalms for Organ, vol. 1, Emma Lou Diemer, SAC (M)
- “What Child Is This?” GREENSLEEVES, The Essential Collection for the Church Organist, vol. 1, arr. John Behnke, HOPE (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Arise, Shine,” John Rutter, OUP, SATB, org (M)
- “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” arr. Keith Christopher, HAL, SATB, pno, opt insts (E)
- “Walk in the Light,” arr. Andre Thomas, CGA, SATB, pno (M)
- “Rise, Shine,” arr. Marques L. A. Garrett and Tom Trenney, MSM, SATB, pno (M)
- “Epiphany Alleluias,” John Weaver, BH, SATB, org (A)
- “The Three Kings,” Peter Cornelius, OUP, SATB, org (A)
Art
- Christmas Magi, Nicholas Markell (EYE)
- Epiphany, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Journey of the Magi, James Tissot, 1894 (VDL)
- Star of Bethlehem Quilt, 1835, from Metropolitan Museum of Art (VDL)
