THE EPIPHANY—January 6, 2022

		THE EPIPHANY OF GOD WHEN GOD REVEALED ONCE AGAIN THE UNIVERSALITY OF GOD'S LOVE FOR ALL A LITURGY FOR MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, if you belong to Christ, you are the off-spring of Abraham, which means you inherit all that was promised. Ephesians 3. 28-29
		CENTERING IN PREPARATION HYMNODY—In Christ There Is No East Or West (Click Here For Music) In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth. In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; his service is the golden cord close binding humankind. Join hands, companions in the faith, whate'er your race may be! Who loves and serves the one in him, throughout the whole wide earth. In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north, all Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth. OPENING WORDS Guided by a star we come. The light beckons us to come and see. Guided by a star we come. The light draws us in enfolding us in splendor. Guided by a star we come. The light illumines the splendor as none other than the human family as one of God. Guided by a star we come. May we worship as one people who are heirs of God in Christ Jesus. PRAYER FOR WORSHIP Most Holy God, you led people from afar to find the Mystery Child of your Incarnate Love. May we, who have come from even further away, never take your Christ for granted. Please keep alive in our hearts wonder and praise, and make us eager to share that light with all comers, without exception. In challenging times let us hear again the joyous song of the angelic choir and hear the good news that shepherds have heard and given witness to. This we ask in your name giving to you all honor and praise from every land and race, world without end. Amen. TRISAGION Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. Blessed is God's Kin-Dom, where justice and peace are lived and loved. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. Blessed are they who follow in God's way, doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. PRAYER FOR THE DAY O Star-flinging God, whose light dances across eternity, dazzle us into your presence this new year. Open our hearts to the mystery of your love. Awaken us to your presence, knit to the ordinary. Reveal to us what is possible, but not yet present. Heal us, that we might be healers. Reconcile us to you and to ourselves, that our living might be reconciling. Stop us often, we pray with news that is good with hope that holds with truth that transforms with a Word tailored to this trail we're on. May the word of your grace guide our steps like the sun by day and the north star by night, as we travel into the gift of a new year. Amen. —by Glenn Mitchell, https://re-worship.blogspot.com GLORIA Glory be to God: O Blessed and Holy Trinity. God as three, God in one; now and throughout eternity. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Open our ears, O God, that we may hear anew the Word you speak to us this day. Open our hearts, O God, that we may embody the Word you speak to us this day. Opem our minds, O God, that we may know the boundless mystery of your love which you call us to share. Speak, O God, your servants listen. FIRST READING—the Original Covenant Of Blessing Genesis 12. 1-3 God Most High, the God of Hosts, said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people, and the home of your parents, and go to a place I will show you. I will make of you a great people. I will bless you and make your name so great that it will be used in blessings. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you. And all the people on the face of the earth will be blessed through you.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) PRAYER OF RESPONSE God of all Love and Goodwill, from the beginning you willed all of your creation to be blessed and a blessing for all. We thank you and sing your praises for being a God of inclusion, where all means all. Amen. PSALMODY Psalm 72. 1-7, 10-14 O God, give your anointed one your judgment—and your justice. Teach your chosen one to govern your people rightly and bring justice to the oppressed. The mountains will bring the people peace and the hills justice! Your anointed will defend the oppressed among the people, save the children of the poor, and crush the oppressor. The reign of your anointed will endure as long as the sun and moon—throughout all generations. The rule of the chosen one will be like rain coming down on the meadow, like showers watering the earth. Justice will flower through the days, and profound peace, until the moon be no more. Tarshish and the Isles will offer gifts; Arabia and Sheba will bring tribute. Rulers will pay homage, and all the nations will serve your anointed. Your anointed will rescue the poor when they cry out, and the oppressed when there is no one to help them. Your chosen one will take pity on the lowly and the poor, and will save their lives. Your chosen one will rescue them all from violence and oppression, and will treat their blood as precious. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. PRAYER RESPONSE O God, whose Chosen and Anointed One will lead all in the way of justice and peace, your blessing is known in a world where the lowly and poor are liberated, and where the oppressed are free from their oppressors. We thank you and sing your praise for bringing your Kin-Dom on earth as it is in heaven. SECOND READING—The manifestation of God's love in Emmanuel is made known to all the earth. Matthew 2. 1-12 After Jesus’ birth—which happened in Bethlehem of Judea, during the reign of Herod—astrologers from the East arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the newborn ruler of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay homage.” At this news Herod became greatly disturbed, as did all of Jerusalem. Summoning all the chief priests and religious scholars of the people, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they informed him. “Here is what the prophet has written: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, since from you will come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Herod called the astrologers aside and found out from them the exact time of the star’s appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, after having instructed them, “Go and get detailed information about the child. When you have found him, report back to me—so that I may go and offer homage, too.” After their audience with the ruler, they set out. The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child lay. They were overjoyed at seeing the star and, upon entering the house, found the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and paid homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented the child with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their own country by another route. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. PRAYER RESPONSE O God who places the stars in the sky and leads people to the embodiment of your promise: we thank you and sing your praise for revealing your love for all nations in the Chosen and Anointed One, Christ Jesus our Redeemer. HYMNODY—What Star Is This That Shines So Bright (Click Here For Music) What star is this with beams so bright, More lovely than the noonday light? ’Tis sent to announce a newborn king, Glad tidings of our God to bring. ’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed, “From Jacob shall a star proceed”; And lo! the eastern sages stand, To read in heav'n the Lord’s command. O Jesus, while the star of grace Impels us on to seek your face, Let not our slothful hearts refuse The guidance of your light to use. To God Creator, heav'nly light, To Christ, revealed in earthly night, To God the Spirit blest we raise An endless song of thankful praise! CALL TO RECONCILIATION Living in God-Light we clearly see the errors we have made and the ways we have failed to love one another. Let us seek the healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation that only God can provide. PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION Gracious God who has come to be with us that our lives may be full and blessed beyond measure: We often forget that the blessing you have made in us is for sharing with others. We confess that sometimes we manipulate your gift into a place of privilege. Forgive us, O God of all mercy and compassion, for failing the bless the least of those among us. Help us, O God, to always be mindful of those in need and be willing to work for justice. Grant that we would share what you have given us with those for whom justice seems like an empty promise. Bring your people together into the common good that is your Kin-Dom. And, as we devote our devote our earthly possessions. may our prosperity be known in love, and hope, and faith. WORDS OF ASSURANCE God came into our world, not to condemn the world, but to heal and comfort and reconcile all things unto God-Self. The promise of God's loving redemption is ours. Thanks be to God. HYMNODY—Star Carol (Click Here For Music) Long years ago, on a deep winter night. High in the heavens, a star shone bright. While in the manger, a wee baby lay. Sweetly asleep, on a bed of hay. Jesus our Lord, was that baby so small. Lay down to sleep, in a humble stall. Then came the star, and it stood over head. Shedding its light, 'round his little head. Dear baby Jesus, how tiny thou art. I'll make a place, for thee in my heart. And when the stars, in the heavens I see. Ever and always, I'd think of thee... PRAYER OF INTERCESSION In confidence let us pray to God, saying, God of Epiphany, Glorious Light, hear our prayer. Loving God, through Christ you call us all into your covenant with Abraham and Sarah. For your church throughout the world, that it may be a faithful witness, declaring your wisdom to all authorities: God of Wisdom, Glorious Light, hear our prayer. The magi came to King Herod in trust, but he betrayed their trust and perpetrated unspeakable evil. For the leaders of the government, that they reject the way of Herod and exercise their authority in truth, justice, and mercy: God of Mercy, Glorious Light, hear our prayer. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled before the wrath of Herod and became refugees in Egypt. For all those who suffer from political oppression, injustice, or war, and especially for refugees: God of Justice, Glorious Light, hear our prayer. Joseph dreamed a future for his son, and obeyed your will for his family. For all families that they may live in peace according to your will: God of Peace, Glorious Light, hear our prayer. The Holy Family lived with neighbors, and received help from strangers. For our neighborhoods, that they may be communities of human flourishing, offering kindness to strangers: God of Harmony, Glorious Light, hear our prayer. Hear our prayers, Gracious God, and grant us to live as heirs of your promise; in the way of Jesus your Chosen and Anointed One. —Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost. THE PRAYER OF JESUS Our God, Mother and Father, in heaven's radiant glory. Most holy is your name. Your Kin-Dom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily portiion. Forgive us in our wrongful thoughts and words and actions; as we forgive those who wrong us. Test us not for we are but yours in grace, but deoiver us from all evil. For to you is all glory, honor, and praise. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION May the path that Christ walks to bring justice upon the earth, to bring light to those who sit in darkness, to bring out those who live in bondage, to bring new things to all creation: May this path run through our life. May we be the road Christ takes. —by Jan L. Richardson, http://paintedprayerbook.com/ HYMNODY—Brightest and Best the Sons of the Morning (Click Here For Music) Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining; low lies his head with the beasts of the stall. Angels adore him in slumber reclining, maker and monarch and Savior of all. Shall we yield him in costly devotion rarest of fragrances, tribute divine, gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine? Vainly we offer each ample oblation, vainly with gifts would his favor secure. Richer by far is the heart's adoration, dearer to God are the prayers of the poor Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. SENDING FORTH As you follow the star on your journey, don’t look for the holy in places of power and prestige. Instead, pay attention to the ordinary, the quiet places. There, may you be overcome with joy, and share your gifts with creation. —Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2022. DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING And now may the blessing of God Most Holy be with you and be the very ministry you go too share. Give love. Share love. Be love. Amen.