13.01.06 Epiphany C English

~the service began on the Wilshire Boulevard steps with an Epiphany blessing~

Song of Praise:  Joyfully the angels sing (Charles Wesley, alt. / Israeli traditional)

Prayer of the Day

Sh’ma Israel (Tsvika Pik)

Reading from Hebrew Scripture:  Isaiah 60:1-6

Gospel Acclamation:  (Arabic)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon:  (Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder)
Song:  Will you come and see the light (Brian Wren / KELVINGROVE, Scottish) 

Epiphany Affirmation

Prayer Song:  Within our darkest night (Taizé)
Silent Meditation
Prayers of the People
Announcements

Song:  Epiphany Carol (Francis Patrick O’Brien / BEACH SPRING, B. F. White)

Forces:
Soprano
Piano/Organ

January 6, 2013

Epiphany

Please stand, all who are able.

Song of Praise

Joyfully the angels sing,

glory, hallelujah,

“Glory to the Christ child bring”,

glory, hallelujah.

Glory in the highest, Jesus, Immanuel.

Glory, hallelujah, Jesus, Immanuel.

“Peace on earth and mercy mild”,

glory, hallelujah,

 “God and sinner reconciled”,

glory, hallelujah.

Glory in the highest, Jesus, Immanuel.

Glory, hallelujah, Jesus, Immanuel.

Hail the bearer of God’s peace,

glory, hallelujah,

hail the Sun of righteousness,

glory, hallelujah.

Glory in the highest, Jesus, Immanuel.

Glory, hallelujah, Jesus, Immanuel.

Light and life our savior brings,

glory, hallelujah,

risen with radiant, healing wings,

glory, hallelujah.

Glory in the highest, Jesus, Immanuel.

Glory, hallelujah, Jesus, Immanuel.

Prayer of the Day

NOT ON PPT

Light of God, illumine the path that leads us to healing, hope and salvation.
Glory of God, fill this sanctuary and expose the darkness that stalks our souls.
Light of God, shine with such brightness that we marvel in awe.
Glory of God, fill each temple of the Holy Spirit present today.
Light of God, Glory of God, we welcome you in this place.

Amen.

Please be seated

Sh’ma Israel

Cantor, then all:  Sh’ma Israel Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad.

Cantor:  Baruch shem k’vod, shem k’vod malchuto l’olam vaed.

Reading from Hebrew Scripture

Isaiah 60:1-6

NOT ON PPT

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Holy One has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Holy One will arise upon you, and God’s glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 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 on their nurses’ arms. 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. 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 God.

Reader:  Hear what the Spirit is saying to you today.

All:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand, all who are able.

Alleluia

All:  Alleluia, alleluia …

Cantor:  We observed Christ’s star in its rising and have come to pay homage. All:  Alleluia, alleluia …

Gospel Reading

Matthew 2:1-12

NOT ON PPT

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reader:  The gospel of Jesus Christ.

All:  Thanks be to God!

Please be seated

Sermon

Please stand, all who are able.

Song

Will you come and see the light from the stable door?

    It is shining newly bright, though it shone before.

    It will be your guiding star, it will show you who you are.

Will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

Will you step into the light that can free the slave?

    It will stand for what is right, it will heal and save.

    By the pyramids of greed there's a longing to be freed.

Will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

Will you tell about the light in the prison cell?

    Though it's shackled out of sight, it is shining well.

    When the truth is cut and bruised, and the innocent abused,

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

Will you join the hope, alight in a young girl's eyes,

    of the mighty put to flight by a baby's cries?

    When the lowest and the least are the foremost at the feast,

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

Will you travel by the light of the babe new born?

    In the cradle lit at night there's a gleam of dawn,

    and the darkness all about is too dim to put it out:

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

Epiphany Affirmation

One:  The promise you made,

the work you have done,

is fulfilled,

and we have seen it…

All:  Your rescue, your salvation,

your coming into our world,

and switching on the lights,

so we can see where to go, and how best to live;

One:  The way you have chosen us,

filled us with your Spirit,

with your presence,

with your wisdom,

the way you allow your goodness and compassion and grace

to peek through our brokenness;

These are gifts beyond measure,

these are what make life truly alive;

All:  And so we praise you, and celebrate you,

Christ, Child of God,

Light to the nations,

and the Glory of your people.

Amen.

Please be seated

Prayer Song

Within our darkest night

Within our darkest night, you kindle the fire that never dies away,

never dies away.

Within our darkest night, you kindle the fire that never dies away,

never dies away.

Silent Meditation

Prayers of the People

One: God of grace,

All:  hear our prayer.

News of the People

Not on ppt:

Welcome cards

Service concludes with bilingual celebration

Please stand, all who are able.

Song

Epiphany Carol

1.  Every nation sees the glory

of a star that pierced the night.

As we tell the wondrous story

we are bathed in radiant light.

Star sent forth from highest heaven,

dancing light of God’s design,

shine upon the gift that’s given:

word made flesh now born in time.

2.  Every tongue shall sing the praises

of his birth in deepest night.

He is healing for the ages:

he is Christ, our God’s delight.

He proclaims within his being

all our hopes, our great desires.

He shall die to rise, redeeming

all who follow with their lives.

3.  Once again may we discover

word made flesh sent from above.

in our neighbor, sister, brother,

in the lonely and unloved.

May we touch him, may we hold him,

may we cradle him with care

as we learn to love each other,

bringing hope from out despair.

4.  Gather, God, the world together

in the brightness of your day.

Fill our hearts with joy forever;

help us walk the holy way.

may your justice rule the nations;

may all peple live as one.

Now we see our true salvation

in the glory of your Son.