January 4, 2004

Be alert!
God is on the move!

Kneel down and pay homage to Christ the King!
God, through the church, is on the move
bringing justice to all nations so that
righteousness may flourish and peace abound.

January 4, 2004
Epiphany

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: Arise! Shine! Our light has come!
The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
People: Nations have come to God's light,
and rulers to the brightness of God's dawn.
Leader: Rejoice in the richness of God's mystery revealed!
People: See the wisdom of God's eternal purpose made known!
ALL: Lord of life, as we welcome your glorious light,
we open our treasure chests to offer our gifts
of worship and praise to honor and glorify you forever.

Hymns In thee is gladness HWB 114
Here in this place HWB 6

Children's story
Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus HWB 117
Prayer of Confession

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-7,10-14; Eph 3:1-12; Mt 2:1-12
Sermon "Exploring the terrain of hope"
Hymn My hope is built on HWB 343

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn Go now in peace HWB 429
Benediction

God lights our way with radiant glory! May we faithfully follow the paths of peace and justice and offer our lives in homage to Christ.

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Dottie Scott, Alderfer family
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Shinsky family

Announcements

Purpose in our Vision:

As a part of our church's vision process we will embark on a 40-day spiritual journey from January 11 until February 22. During this time we are all encouraged to grow in our own walk of faith and witness and be inspired in our vision process through daily readings in the book "Purpose Driven Life", prayer, reflection in Sunday School or small groups and worship services.

The church will provide one copy of the book per household and for each youth and jr. youth. We hope that everyone has a chance to participate in either SS (beginning 1/18) or Wednesday evening meeting (beginning 1/14). If neither of those days works for you please contact the pastors.

In preparation for this time may we pray for:

Mennonite Conciliation Services and the Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Office on Crime and Justice are sponsoring a Mediation and Restorative Justice Training Institute, March 15-19 at the MCC Welcoming Place in Akron, PA. The cost is $450 ($500 for registrations received after February 13); some scholarship assistance is available. For more information, visit www.mcc.org/us/peaceandjustice/mcs.html or contact MCS at PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501, 717-859-1151, mcs@mccus.org.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Norma Teles, who serves in children's and youth ministry in Lezhe, Albania, is spending several months in her home country of Brazil prior to her next term of service. Pray for Norma and her family as they grieve the recent unexpected death of her mother after an illness.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for José Luis Vazquez, a new tutor for the Instituto Bíblico Anabautista study center at First Mennonite Church, Brooklyn, New York. May God give him wisdom, energy and guidance as he begins this ministry.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank and the Salvation Army.