Epiphany Sunday

January 3, 2016

-Gathering into worship-

*Those that are able are invited to stand

Welcome Gary Burdick, Lay Leader

Opening Scripture Isaiah 60:1-6

*Call to Worship

One: Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

All: The brightness of God’s light shines upon all the nations.

All are welcomed to the brightness of God’s dawn.

One: God gathers us from far away and carries us.

With radiant eyes, with rejoicing hearts, we receive the abundance God gives.

All: We respond in praise.

With our gifts, with our very selves, we worship God.

*Hymn “Angels from the Realms of Glory” #220

*Opening Prayer

God, you placed a star in the sky to draw wise folk to the place of Christ’s nativity.

There you revealed the mystery of your eternal purpose for all humanity:

God made flesh, born of Mary, opening to all the world the promise you made to Abraham and Sarah. Empower your church to be as the light of the star, that we may draw the world to the glory of Christ, our Lord, through whom we pray. Amen.

*Chorus “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” #204

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

Announcements

-Celebrating the epiphany-

Scripture Matthew 2:1-12

Children’s Sermon

Anthem “Lullaby” Choir

-Exploring spiritual gifts-

Scripture 1 Corinthians 12

Sermon Rev. Nathan Carlson

Prayer Hymn “The Gift of Love” #408

You are invited to share your prayer concerns by writing them on the Prayer Request cards and placing them in the offering plate.

Silent Prayer / Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

-Sharing our blessings-

Offering Our Gifts and Tithes

*Doxology “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Refrain) #238

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

*Offering Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, your goodness to us is beyond the reaches of our imagination,

a fullness of love that embraces all of life.

From you we have received grace upon grace.

Accept our offering for the sake of the world.

All that we have is yours, and all we return to you is but a reflection of your love for us.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

*Closing Hymn “Of All the Spirit’s Gifts to Me” #336

*Benediction

*Chorus “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” (Refrain) #251

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.

Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

“Where Faith and Life Meet”

www.mifflinave.org

412-731-2511

Pastor: Rev. Kelly Smith

214-202-9291

Pastor@mifflinave.org