Sunday, January 5, 2020
Epiphany Sunday
For Meditation and Reflection:
“Am I my brother’s keeper? No, I am my brother’s brother, or my brother’s sister. Human unity is not something we are called on to create – only something we are called on to recognize.” — William Sloane Coffin
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer (Pastor)
Call to Worship (Lay Reader)
Leader: The prophet’s message is confirmed.
People: We do well to be attentive!
Leader: As to a lamp shining in a dark place,
People: until the light of Christ shines in our hearts.
Opening Hymn: Arise, Your Light Is Come #164
Prayer for Illumination (Lay Reader)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 (Lay Reader)
Sermon “If It Happened” Mike Lyle
The Offerings and Offertory Music
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Pastor: All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. All that we are, and all that we have, is your gift to us.
People: And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer ourselves, and all that we have. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
All: Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflective Hymn: As with Gladness Those of Old#159
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Pastor and People
Lord’s Prayer [Traditional, with “debts”]
Closing Hymn: GoTell It on the Mountain #154
Benediction (Pastor)Go forward in the comfort and strength of God’s blessing. Remember that you are loved, that God is ever near, and that divine mercy is your way in the world. Amen.
Thought for the Week
“Every heart is the other heart. Every soul is the other soul. Every face is the other face. The individual is the one illusion.” — Marguerite Young (From Miss MacIntosh, My Darling)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CORRECTION: Beginning in January, Adult Sunday School will meet in the sanctuary at 10:00 on the 1st and 2nd Sundays of each month. In January, Mike Morse will lead an inquiry into “Saving Jesus” from the “Living the Questions” curriculum. In February, Sharon Lloyd-O’Connor will teach and, in March, Brenda Lyle.
This Sunday, Jan. 5th 10am – Adult Sunday School with Rev. M. Michael Morse – first in a two week inquiry into “Saving Jesus” from the “Living the Questions” curriculum.
11am – Communion Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle
12:15pm – Help take down the Giving Tree and join in at First Sunday Congregational Pot Luck.
Sunday, Jan. 12th 10 am – Sunday School for children with Robin Scott and adults with Mike Morse. 11 am – Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle
Sunday, Jan. 19th– Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle
Sunday, Jan. 26th 11 am – Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse
During the Week at St. James:
Mindfulness Meditation. Wednesday mornings 10:30am, Fellowship Hall. Free. All welcome; beginners encouraged!
Stretch It Out! Friday evenings 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Starting January 10th, Fellowship Hall: Come feel good with stretching and strengthening for all ages. Bring a yoga mat. $10. First class free.
English Language Classes for adults. Please pass the word. Saturday mornings 8:30 -10:30am, Free. Led by a certified ELL teacher. Childcare provided. Fellowship Hall. Need volunteers.
Lovettsville Food Bank: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. See sign and box in Fellowship Hall.
Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.