*Today our worship begins on the patio*              

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

The Epiphany Blessing of the Church

We gather on the Community Crossing of our patio to begin today’s liturgy with an annual blessing of our church.

 

In the name of the + Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May peace be to this house and to all who enter here. 

By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; 

through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

As we prepare to ask God’s blessing on this house of the church, let us share words from John’s Gospel.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. 

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 

The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

 

Inscription

          

*The magi of old, known as

C Caspar,

M Melchior, and

B Balthasar

followed the star of God’s Son who came to dwell among us

20 two thousand

26 and twenty-three years ago.

+ Christ, bless this house,

+ and remain with us throughout the new year.

O God, you revealed your Son to all people by the shining light of a star. We pray that you bless this place and all who gather here with your gracious presence. May your love be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light, and your peace our benediction; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Light of Christ, The Light of Christ

Christ, bless this patio...this place of hospitality for so many who seek an urban oasis, and even their daily bread.

 

*please follow the procession into the church, pausing where appropriate*

 

The Light of Christ, The Light of Christ

Christ, bless this lounge...this place of welcome for all your children, every day of the week.

 

The Light of Christ, The Light of Christ

Christ, bless this sanctuary...this place of worship and praise.

 

The Light of Christ, The Light of Christ

Christ, bless this font...this place of washing by your word.

 

*please find your seats, but remain standing there*

The Light of Christ, The Light of Christ

Christ, bless this ambo...this place of sounding forth your word.

 

The Light of Christ, The Light of Christ

Christ, bless this table...this place of feasting on your life.

 

Christ, continue to bless this congregation...

that we may continue to be your heart in the heart of the city.

 

Sisters and brothers, today we give particular thanks, and we seek God’s blessing, as we set apart this paschal candle to the glory of God; we dedicate it now in loving memory, and honor, of The Rev. Jack Lindquist, husband of Dr. Pat Lindquist, Pastor of First Lutheran (1977-1983), teacher and friend;  Let us pray.

 

We give you thanks, O God, creator of the universe,

for you have enriched our lives with every good and perfect gift;

you have commanded us to show your splendor to our children;

and you have invited us to praise you with lives of love, justice, and joy.

Send your blessing on this Paschal Candle which we set apart today;

may it be to us a sign of Christ, the Light of the world,

the light no darkness can overcome.

 

*Opening Hymn Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

 

*Prayer of the Day

 

Let us pray together:

O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 60:1-6

 

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 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. 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 the Lord.

 

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm  v 1-2 Christ Be Our Light

 

The Epistle Lesson  Ephesians 3:1-12

 

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

 

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

 

*Gospel Acclamation v 3-4 Christ Be Our Light

 

*Gospel      Matthew 2:1-12     Glory to you, O Lord.

 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men 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 wise men 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.

 

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

 

v 5 Christ Be Our Light

Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong.

Let us be servants to one another, signs of your kingdom come.  

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

 

Sermon         Pastor Kurt Christenson

 

*Prayers of Intercession

Response to each petition: Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

v 2    I want to see the brightness of God.

I want to look at Jesus.

Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,

and show me the way to the Father.  Refrain

 

*Nicene Creed

 

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Offering

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Offering Music

 

 

 

 

 

• Offering Prayer

 

Gracious God, your Word-made-flesh brings harmony to the earth. As we offer ourselves and these your gifts, prepare us to receive the grace and truth you offer at this table and renew in us the song of your salvation, in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

 

*Exchange of Peace

 

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

 

*Communion Liturgy for Epiphany

 

Come and see! The ruler of the earth has come, our Lord born in a stable and raised in the temple, our Lord who will take away from us the heavy burden of our exile, and guide us through this world and the next. Come, let us gather around the table and prepare to meet him.

 

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.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God. In the wonder and majesty of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

all sing (to the tune of Angels from the Realms of Glory):            

Holy, holy, Lord most holy, God of pow’r and God of might:

heav’n and earth reveal your glory. Hail, hosanna, Lord of light!

Blessed be the coming Savior. Hail, hosanna, Lord of light!

text: metrical Sanctus, Martin A. Seltz (b. 1951)

music: Regent Square, Henry Thomas Smart, 1866

used by permission; all rights reserved

We give you thanks, Father, through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, whom you sent in this end of the ages to save and redeem us and to proclaim to us your will.

all sing:

We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,

field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

 

Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!

 

He is your Word, inseparable from you, through whom you created all things, and in whom you take delight. He is your Word, sent from heaven to a virgin’s womb. He there took on our nature and our lot and was shown forth as your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and of the virgin Mary. He, our Lord Jesus, fulfilled all your will and won for you a holy people; he stretched out his hands in suffering in order to free from suffering those who trust you.

 

all sing:

Born on Bethlehem’s plan, gold I bring to crown him again; king forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Refrain

 

He is the one who, handed over to a death he freely accepted, in order to destroy death, to break the bonds of the evil one, to crush hell underfoot, to give light to the righteous, to establish his covenant, and to show forth the resurrection, taking bread and giving thanks to you, said: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

In the same way he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

all sing:

Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a deity nigh; prayer and praising, gladly raising, worshiping God Most High.  Refrain

 

Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup, giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you as your priestly people.

 

Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church; gather into one all who share this bread and wine; fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith in truth, that we may praise and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever.

 

*all sing:

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;

sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.  Refrain

 

 Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;

heav’n sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies.  Refrain

text: John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1820-1891, alt

 

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

 

Invitation to Communion

 

Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let every heart receive your Savior.

 

Communion Distribution

 

Communion Hymn 

 

Agnus Dei

Communion Music As With Gladness   verses 1-4

*Blessing & Benediction

 

Go now, seek out the Christ wherever he may be found,

and share the good news with all who bear him no ill will.

Bring light to those in thick darkness,

a voice to those no one speaks for,

and hope to those no one cares for.

 

And may God make you a sharer in the promised light.

May Christ Jesus fill you with his sense of what is right.

And may the Holy Spirit be to you like rain

that gives life to the fertile earth.

 

*Sending Song Arise, Your Light Has Come! verses 1-3

*Dismissal

 

Go in peace. Rejoice in Christ our Savior. Thanks be to God.

 

Postlude    Festal song / Morning Star     Improv Engel