Epiphany means “appearance” or “manifestation. Today we celebrate the coming of the three wise men (magi), who brought gifts to the Christ child. In Puerto Rico and in most Latin American countries this day is observed as Three Kings Day or Dia de Los Reyes.
(UMC Book of Worship)
Greeting – Greet each other in the name of the Lord.
Good Morning. Buenes Dias. Welcome. Bienvenido.
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Prayer requests may be emailed to cokesburyumc@gmail.com
Song – Good Christian Friends, Rejoice – UMH 224
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say: News, news! Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today, Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss: News, news! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door and ye are blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave: News, news! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save, Christ was born to save!
John Mason Neale
Call to Worship:
L: In the presence of angels, we sing to you, O Lord, we bow down before you in your holy Temple
All: We praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy; your promises surpass even your fame.
L: All the kings of the earth give thanks to you, when they hear your promises, they sing your praises.
All: “Great is the glory of the Lord!” Magnificent is God, who looks on the humble and stretches out his right hand to save us.
Opening Prayer:
Everlasting God, the radiance of faithful souls, you brought the nations to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising. Fill the world with your glory, and show yourself to all the nations; through him who is the true light and the bright and morning star, even Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading – Matthew 2:1-12
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.
Carol – The First Noel (v.3,4,5) – UMH 245
And by the light of that same star three Wise Men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
This star drew nigh to the northwest, o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in the King of Israel.
Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in the King of Israel.
Message – Rev. Gayle Porias
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer – UMH 895
Offering Song – We Three Kings – UMH 254
We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
John H. Hopkins, Jr.
Prayer of Dedication:
(All) O God, you made of one blood all nations, and, by a star in the East, revealed to all peoples him whose name is Emmanuel. Bless the offerings that we bring today- offerings of our time, talent, presence, witness, prayer and of our resources. Enable us who know your presence with us so to proclaim his unsearchable riches that all may come to his light and bow before the brightness of his rising, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Song – Go, Tell It on the Mountain – UMH 251
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
Blessing:
Ushers will dismiss us row by row beginning with the back rows. You may leave your offering in the plate at the back. Please do not gather in the narthex after the service but go to the parking lot for fellowship.
Announcements
Ushers needed for Sunday worship. Please call Gordon Freeman at 703-680-4629 for information and to volunteer.
Handbell Choir Practice Saturday January 7 at 2pm
Bible Study Wednesday at 7pm on Zoom and in-person. New book beginning January 5th . “Holy Spirit: Here and Now” by Trevor Hudson.
The Cokesbury UMC Prayer Group meets weekly Mondays at 6pm on Zoom – all are invited to join and participate! Please send or share all prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle so we may give each concern prayerful attention.
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A.C.T.S is in need of the following items:
Canned Vegetables, especially peas, 15 oz size, Low sodium canned vegetables, Snack items, individually packed, Pop-top canned prepared meals suitable for our homeless clients, Single serve prepared food suitable for our homeless clients, Laundry Detergent, Dish Detergent, Cleaning Supplies in general, Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items, Size 4T pull-ups, Size 6 diapers.
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