"Another Road"

THE CELEBRATION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOMEWOOD
MISSION STATEMENT

Through the grace of God, faith in Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we prayerfully seek to discern God’s will for this congregation and to reach beyond ourselves to feed the hungry, body and soul. Adopted by Session 7/31/17

PRAYER FOR PEACE ||| Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO CONTINUING WORSHIP
Arise, shine: for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
We come to this space, following the star, seeking a miracle.
 
You will see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice
for here we find a prophecy fulfilled, and a mystery revealed!

*HYMN 151 ||| We Three Kings of Orient Are ||| Kings of Orient

CALL TO CONFESSION
Arise, shine: for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
We come to this space, following the star, seeking a miracle.
You will see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice
for here we find a prophecy fulfilled, and a mystery revealed!

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy Refugee of Israel, we would like to believe that we would be like the magi, that we would protect the innocent child, that we would stand up to power. But too often we have turned away from those who need us. Too often we have bent to the powers that be, resigning ourselves to the way it has always been. Forgive our lack of action, guide us back to your purposes, and help us be brave enough to do your will.
(silent prayer)
Amen.

*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God calls to us from wherever we are.
God’s love shines like a beacon.
God’s voice echoes in our souls,
“You are forgiven!” Thanks be to God!

*THE GLORIA 581

MOMENT WITH OUR CHILDREN ||| Rev. Matt Lang

WELCOME AND CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING ||| Isaiah 60:1-6
1Arise, 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. 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.

SPECIAL MUSIC

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING ||| Matthew 2:1-12
1In 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.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!

SERMON ||| "Another Road" ||| Rev. Matt Lang

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN 152 ||| What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright ||| Puer Nobis Nascitur

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH ||| The Brief Statement of Faith 1983
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS

INVITATION TO OFFERING
With joyful and radiant hearts, we gratefully give who we are and what we have to God.

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY ||| 606 Old Hundredth
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy One, giver of all light, lift up our hearts and minds to Christ, the morning star that never fades. By the light of your Holy Spirit bless our offerings that they may lead us to you in service and in love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN 147 ||| The First Nowell ||| The First Nowell

 
BLESSING & CHARGE
Kingdoms and nations fall before God whose glory outshines the sun. No longer distanced, we will be gathered together in the light of God’s reign. This is the promise given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ, the mystery of God’s love revealed to the world.

Arise! Shine! For your light has come. Let your life be the light of Christ so that all people may know that they, too, share in the promises of God.

POSTLUDE

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Rev. Matt Lang, Pastor
Mrs. Mary Ann Wenzelman, Interim Organist/Pianist

Worship Liturgist: Char Hansen
Usher: Phil Dillman

Web Technicians: Shirley Armstead, Nancy Boersma, Phil Dillman, Kathie Hazlett

2022 ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE! – If you are a church leader, your report is due into the office by Friday, February 3rd. Debra would appreciate reports e-mailed in Word format (14 point, Times New Roman, one inch margins) if you are able to do so. E-mail your annual report to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
WELCOME –.In the name of Christ Jesus, welcome! Here at First Presbyterian Church of Homewood, we recognize one another as forgiven sinners, we honor one another as children of God, and we seek to serve one another as fellow travelers through life. We are so pleased you are here to offer your worship and praise to the God who loves us all. Come again soon…and often!

 SCRIPTURES IN WORSHIP – Next Sunday we will be reading Isaiah 49:1-7 and John 1:29-42.

PRAYER CHAIN – If you want prayer requests included on the prayer chain, contact Shirley Armistead at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..