THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

JANUARY 4, 2015

Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day we celebrate the

revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the

magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God’s

grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.

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Prelude “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!” Bohm

Announcements

Hymn LBW #82 “As with Gladness Men of Old”

Apostolic Greeting

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C And also with you. Prayer of the Day

P Let us pray…O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations

by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you. 3Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

The Entrance Rite

The Liturgy of the Word

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5Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

A The word of the Lord

C Thanks be to God.

Hymn LBW #530 “Jesus Shall Reign” Second Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles — 2for surely you have already heard of the

commission of God's grace that was given me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding

of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become

fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the

Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in

its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal

purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

A The word of the Lord

C Thanks be to God.

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Gradual Hymn LBW #550 “From All That Dwell Below the Skies”

Stanza 1 is sung before the reading of the Holy Gospel Stanza 2 is sung after the reading of the Holy Gospel

The Holy Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

P A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the second

chapter.

C Glory to you, O Lord.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "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." 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of

them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6'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.'" 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then 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." 9When 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. 10When they saw that the

star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On 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. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by

another road.

P The Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Sermon and Sermon

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Hymn of the Day LBW #76 “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!”

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Nicene Creed

C We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one

Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all

things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from

the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he

ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the

Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has

spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the

world to come. Amen.

Prayers

A Lord, in your mercy,

C Hear our prayer.

The Prayers conclude:

P Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

C Amen.

Peace

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C And also with you.

Offertory Hymn WOV #652 “Arise, Your Light Has Come!”

The Eucharistic Meal

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Offertory Prayer

A Let us pray...Merciful Father,

C We rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your

gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your

Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving

Preface and Sanctus

P It is indeed right and salutary . . . we praise your name and join

their unending hymn:

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Eucharistic Prayer

P You are indeed holy, O God. You surround us with your glory and

mercy, and in the splendor of your heavenly light you lead us through the darkness of the world. You led your people Israel by a pillar of fire, as you delivered them from bondage and brought them to the promised

land. By the light of Bethlehem’s star you led the sages to your beloved Son, revealing him to the nations as King of kings and Lord of lords. In

words, signs, and wonders your Son gave the light of hope to the disappointed and to the disenchanted. Then, at the appointed time, he stretched out his hands on the cross, showing forth the brilliance of a

life freely given, that all may have life in him. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and

gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat;

this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to

drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

In joy we proclaim the radiance of our faith:

C Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P Gracious Father, we give you our thanks for the light of our Lord’s

passion and his victory over the grave. We rejoice that you have made us your people. Objects of Christ’s redeeming love.

We pray that by your Holy Spirit you will bless and sanctify this Holy Communion, that we may be illumined in faith as we partake of Christ’s

body and blood, and be renewed in the forgiveness of sins and in the joyous hope of your eternal kingdom.

C Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

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The Lord’s Prayer

P With boldness and sure confidence, we pray as Christ taught us:

C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our

daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the

kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Amen.

Fraction and Agnus Dei

P Behold the true light of the world, the beloved of God, anointed by

the spirit.

C Blessed are those who are called to the banquet of the Lamb.

Music During the Distribution

LBW #86 “The Only Son from Heaven”

LBW #85 “When Christ’s Appearing Was Made Known’

LBW #84 “Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning”

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Post-Communion Blessing

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and

keep you in his grace.

C Amen. Post-Communion Prayer

A Let us pray...We give you thanks, O God, that in this bread and cup

of Christ's very life, you give us food for our journey. As you led the

magi by a star, as you brought the holy family home again, guide us on the way unfolding before us. Wherever we go, may our lives proclaim good news of great joy through your Son, Jesus Christ our

Lord.

C Amen.

Benediction

P Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the +Son, and the Holy

Spirit.

C Amen.

Recessional Hymn WOV #723 “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”

Dismissal

A Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Postlude: “The Only Son from Heaven” Bach

The Dismissal

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Serving in Worship

Altar Guild Ursula Gross, Ch., Kathy Billet, Terry Hoover,

Deb King, Pat Lowe

Hospital Visitors Beverly Bowers

Coffee table Karen Starry, Mary Shepp

Care of Albs Marlene Coval

Pew Care Donald and Suzan Striebig

Acolytes

Assisting

Ministers

Readers

Greeters/ Presenters

Nursery

Back Door

Lower Narthex Door Monitors

Ushers

8:00 am

Kelley Granholm

Bill Cooley, Vicki Craun

Judy Garber

Rochelle Nyman, Deborah Concino

The Eppley Family

Vance Eppley

Dave Barkdoll

Gary and Ann-Neta Danner, Richard Kurz,

Austin Heidelbaugh

10:45 am Alex Patterson

Tom Olson, Larry Young

Adeline Gerz

Roger and Joan Patches

Ann Eckman, Katie Eckman

Donald Striebig

Andy Waltersdorf

Dick March, Capt., Beverly Bowers, Carlton Gross,

Matthew March, Phyllis March, John Ports, Steve Heilman

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Christ Lutheran Church 29 South George Street, York PA 17401

companions with the Itete Hospital of the Konde Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania

Welcome all! So we can know you better, please complete an attendance card found in the pew and place it in an offering plate. Please sign our guest book located in the upper narthex. If you have no church home, we invite you to membership at Christ Lutheran Church. We hope you return to worship and participate in our life in Christ!

The Liturgy Our worship is the historic liturgy of the Christian Church - a celebration of Word and Sacrament, the means through which God gives forgiveness, life and salvation. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated in accordance with the understanding of the Lutheran Confessions that Christ is truly present in the bread and wine. Approach the chancel rail by the center aisle as a place becomes vacant. Dip the bread in the first cup or drink from the common chalice. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive the Blessed Sacrament. Others may come or be brought forward for a blessing. Our primary worship books are found in the pews. The “Lutheran Book of Worship” (noted LBW inside the bulletin) is the green hardback hymnal. The “With One Voice” (noted WOV inside the bulletin) is the blue softback hymnal. A hand-held hearing aid system is available and can be used anywhere in the church.

Children are always welcome at worship! We value the participation of our children in worship! As full members of the church, children participate in the worship service. They listen to God’s Word, gather at the Lord’s table, serve as readers, acolytes, choir members, and more. Feel free to take children in and out as necessary. For parents who desire nursery care, care is usually available for children who are infants through pre-school age. Please ask an usher.

Christ Church Staff The Reverend Alan Watt Pastor, pastor@christlutheranyork.com The Reverend Allan Wysocki Visitation Pastor Todd B. Davis Director of Music and Administrative Assistant associate@christlutheranyork.com Carol Krouse Parish Secretary, office@christlutheranyork.com BethAnn Barbato Director of Child Care Cindy Schroeder Bookkeeper, bookkeeper@christlutheranyork.com Wanda Stibitz Administrative Support Robin Reed Property Manager, property@christlutheranyork.com Scott Albright Maintenance Eric R. D. Patches Custodian

Telephone: 717-854-5589 Fax: 845-4213 Child Care Center: 854-2239 Website: www.christlutheranyork.com E-mail: office@christlutheranyork.com

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/christlutheranyork

Founded in 1733 with the baptism of Maria Catharina Beyer, Christ Church was the first Lutheran congregation west of the Susquehanna River. Christ Church remains an active and vibrant congregation carrying on the mission of Christ and approaches the future with confidence and hope. Christ Church strives to minister in faithfulness to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. Its ministry centers in the weekly liturgy of Word and Sacrament and pursues particular Lutheran emphases in art and music, fellowship, education, and pastoral care. Three buildings have been used for worship. A log building was erected in 1744; a stone building replaced it in 1760. Two bells from the 1760 stone building still call people to worship in the present building, built in 1812. Three Lutheran congregations in York are descendants of Christ Church.