January 3, 2010

Pre-service music
Call to Worship
Leader: The darkness has ended. The Lord is here.
Arise, shine, your light has come!
People: We have a story to tell the nations.
Let us lift up our eyes and look around us;
let us come, one and all, to worship our Lord.
Leader: Almighty and eternal God, we thank you for your birth
in Jesus Christ, for showing us the way back to God.
ALL: May all the world receive her glorious king with joy.
Amen.
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns In Thee is gladness HWB 114
All beautiful the march of days HWB 159
Children's Story
Hymn Morning Star, O cheering sight! HWB 214

Hearing

Scripture Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2: 1-11
Sermon Do you see what they see?
Hymn What Child is this HWB 215

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Leader: Let us affirm our faith
People: We believe in a bright and amazing God,
who has been to the depths of despair on our behalf,
who has risen in splendor and majesty;
who decorates the universe with sparkling water,
clear white light, twinkling stars and sharp colors,
over and over again.
We believe that Jesus is the light of the world;
that God believes in us, and trusts us,
even though we make the same mistakes over and over again.
We commit ourselves to Jesus,
to one another, as sisters and brothers,
and to the Maker's business in the world.
This is the joyful Epiphany of God! Amen.

Responding

Sharing of Praises and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Offering/Hymn Praise God from Whom HWB 119
Announcements
Hymns Hail the bless'd morn HWB 221
Benediction

Today

Sermon: Roy Hange adn Sarah Tarbell, IMPACT

Announcements

Please email all bulletin announcements by Wednesday 8:00 pm to Becky.

Today Sarah Tarbell from IMPACT is joining us for worship and a potluck meal after the worship service for those interested to hear more about what IMPACT is doing in the community at this point. Please join us.

A big thank you to the worship committee (Jessica, Linda, Elaine, Christy) for planning the worship this season, for Jean who designed the bulletin cover, for Christy for the unfolding art work, all the musicians, song leaders and everyone behind the scenes. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all!

During January and February our worship will focus on Epiphanies: Light at the Table. We will look at the agape meal tradition in the early church, how Jesus used to eat with sinners and how communal eating and sharing transforms lives and affects society. Rita Halteman Finger, retired Messiah College professor, will be with us on January 17th.

Respond to God's call to care for the earth at Creation Care: Stewards of the Earth (February 12-14 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center), a program designed by Mennonite Mutual Aid, the Church of the Brethren and Laurelville. Become equipped with the resources and knowlege for leading your church or community toward environmentally responsible practice. Visit Laurelville.org/creation_care.html or call 800-839-1021 to register or for more information.

You are invited: Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey is being sponsored by MMA Harrisonburg at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. Financial Peace University is a 13-week video-based small group study that teaches families how to beat debt, build wealth, and give like never before. The first class will begin January 11, 2009 at VMRC at 7:00 PM. Call 540-437-7422 to register and for more information.

Prayers and Praises

MMN: Pray that Mennonite Mission Network personnel may begin this year with renewed openness to the movement of Jesus' spirit that brings healing and hope to the world.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank, Salvation Army, IMPACT--a justice ministry and PACEM-- the initiative for the homeless.

Gathering in Christ's name

Hearing

Responding

Today

Announcements

Prayers and Praises