Epiphany Sunday: We Let Ourselves Shine

Sunday, January 5, 2025
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

This is the Sunday when we recall the diversity of those who witness to the birth of Jesus the Messiah. Scholars, astronomers, wise ones, magi—we don’t know how many there were, but we do know they were from what we would know as present day Iran. Most likely Zoroastrian clergy, they were drawn to follow a star that brought them to God’s next big plan for the world: the child Jesus. How do we rejoice in a weary world? We let ourselves shine, as the lights of the world Jesus proclaimed us to be.

You can join us for worship and the Lord’s Supper in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited! You are always welcome!

How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

Epiphany Sunday

We Let Ourselves Shine

Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12

Union Presbyterian Church

January 5, 2025

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Joan Kellam Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome Joan Kellam

Announcements

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“When Morning Gilds the Skies,” Marilyn Reimer

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

* Call to Worship

A Child is born! And shepherds and angels were there.

The heavens rang with the heavenly song.

Now, visitors from away—a strange retinue.

Who are they? They are not from around here.

Why do they come? They follow a star!

How many more will come to adore the Child?

Millions upon millions have come. Millions more will come.

Let us follow the star to find the Light of the World!

* Hymn  # 236 W & R

“As With Gladness Men of Old”

(Public Domain)

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore your splendor see.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore,
So, may we with willing feet
Ever seek the mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.

* Call to New Life

Everyone in the world seems to agree: Christmas is over. From those whose bare trees were awaiting pick-up on December 26 and the DJ’s who stopped playing Christmas carols that same day, to those who still hummed the tunes until New Year’s, most everyone agrees: It’s over. We’re done.

Not here. There is more of the story to tell. Here, the lights still glow on the trees. Here, the candles still burn bright. Here, even if we are holiday-weary, we know there is more to hear, more to tell, more joy to share. Friends, let us bring our weary selves to God.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (Unison)

God of starlight and firelight, we are weary. The revels of Christmas are behind us, and it all slips through our fingers so quickly. The loving faces, the festive meals, the perfect present—they are gone, or perhaps never were there to begin with. Dare we present our aching emptiness to you, and ask you to fill it with your presence? Dare we say, “It wasn’t enough,” and ask you to help us to understand why? Dare we ask your forgiveness for seeking eternity in things and decorations and events?

[Silent Prayer]

You are our God, and you alone are our lasting source of joy. Forgive us for seeking what is real in what is ephemeral. Forgive us for failing to exist in the present with gratitude and love. Heal our hearts so that we can remember that Jesus called us, too, “the light of the world.” Then help us to shine. We pray in your holy name. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

Family of faith, it is all so human to feel this way. Everyone is exhausted!

But we have the firm foundation of God’s love, no matter how we feel, no matter how we flail, no matter how we fail. So repeat these words after me.

God made me in God’s own image.

God made me in God’s own image.

God made me in love.

God made me in love.

I am loved, I am forgiven, and I am made whole.

I am loved, I am forgiven, and I am made whole.

Thanks be to God for a love like that!

* Sharing of the Peace

As the Christmas season comes to a close,

we remember that we have witnessed the birth of the Prince of Peace

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Isaiah 60:1-6

A reading from the prophet Isaiah, beginning at chapter 60, verse 1.

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

For darkness shall cover the earth
    and thick darkness the peoples,
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift 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 in their nurses’ arms.

Then 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.

A 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.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Arise, Shine,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir

“How Far Is the Star?” Bradley Ellingboe

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

We have seen a star shining in the heavens,

Shining high above in the sky.

We have come to see what its brilliance means.

How it shines so brightly, and why.

Some have said it shines over Bethlehem

To announce a newborn King.

How far is the star

Where bright heavenly choirs sing?

Heaven itself has drawn us here,

Showing us this brilliant star.

We would worship Him, the tiny infant King.

We have wandered here from afar.

In the spill of light from Jerusalem

All we see is tumult and war.

Is it shining still over Bethlehem’s hills?

Can we catch a glimpse of that star?

We have heard it shone over Bethlehem

To announce a newborn King.

How far is the star?

Did angelic choirs sing?

Following the rays of that vaulting star

Shining o’er us in the night,

We have come once more so we can adore

Jesus Christ, the world’s true light.

We have wandered through darkest night.

We have seen a star shining in the heavens

To announce a newborn King.

Scripture Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSVUE)

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, beginning at chapter 2, verse 1.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘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.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then 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.” When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “We Let Ourselves Shine”

* Statement of Faith from the Iona Community, Scotland

We believe in God above us,

maker and sustainer of all life,

of sun and moon, of water and earth, of all God’s children.

We believe in God beside us,

Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,

born of a woman’s womb, servant of the poor.

He was tortured and nailed to a tree.

A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.

He descended into the earth to the place of death.

On the third day he rose from the tomb.

He ascended into heaven to be everywhere present,

and his kingdom will come on earth.

We believe in God within us,

the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,

life-giving breath of the church,

Spirit of healing and forgiveness,

source of resurrection and of life everlasting.

Amen. 

* Hymn # 235 W & R

“Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning”

(Public Domain)

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and come to our aid;
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

What shall we give him, in costly devotion?
Shall we bring incense and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each lavish 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 stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and come to our aid;
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid!

Prayers of the People   

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. 

Prayer Response # 174 W & R

“Prepare the Way of the Lord,” Jacques Berthier

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

(Sing twice:)

Prepare the way of the Lord,

And all people will see

The salvation of our God.

Call for Offering

* Doxology # 48 W & R (verse 1)

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

(Public Domain)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

* Prayer of Dedication

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

THE INVITATION

The Light of the World has dawned; come, let us adore him.

We have seen the star in the East; let us bow before

Emmanuel, God-With-Us:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Thanks and praise for the beginning,

For mysteries to which only you know the answers:

For heaven and earth,

For the ordering of deep darkness, formless and void,

For light, for morning, and sky,

For flower and fruit, for humankind,

For the creatures of the land and sea.

Thanks and praise for the splendor and goodness of creation;

Your promises—

A bow in the clouds,

A baby born.

Thanks and praise for the answer of your Son;

For a star over a manger,

And a lost boy already teaching,

For lessons drawn in sand,

And sermons on the Mount,

For precious perfume gone un-wasted,

And a woman’s action in proclaiming the gospel.

Thanks and praise for his feeding

5000 with the bread of life;

And miracles worked:

From bread alone,

For water into wine,

And wine into blood,

And blood into salvation.

Thanks and praise for his healing

Hemorrhaging women,

Daughters of men and mothers,

And brothers out of tombs,

And from your tomb,

Earthquakes and angels,

The tearing of cloth,

And stones rolled away.

… Remembering in this place, in this time, and waiting for this simple loaf, this overflowing cup, the merest and the most: Our thankful praise.

Sanctus

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 

God of power, God of might, 

Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is He who comes  

In the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest, 

Hosanna in the highest. 

We remember:

A blessing on the night of betrayal,

A loaf of bread, Jesus our Lord: blessing, breaking, sharing, speaking from the heart:

“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

We remember:

The same way, after supper

A cup of the fruit of the vine, Jesus our Lord: blessing, thanking, sharing, speaking from the heart:

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.”

As often as you share it,

A loaf of bread, a cup of overflowing,

Proclaim the death, until he comes again

Jesus our Lord.

Holy Spirit, Enter like wind over water

Ripple over this cup

Tear this bread

Baptize us with your fire

Gather us with the church of Pentecost

And send us out in song

Into a world filled with blood and fire

Blood that is not yours,

Fire that knows not your name

Our lives, this day and always,

Show us how to walk with you

Show us how to live for you

Show us how to preach you

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Show us how to praise you and pray to you

Until you come again, for it is through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, that all Glory and Honor are yours, Mighty God, forever and ever. Amen.

THE COMMUNION

Music during Communion: “O Love, How Deep, How Broad” (Public Domain)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)

We praise you God that you turn us loose to go with you

to welcome the new, to see our possibilities, to accept our limits,

even as we strive to do the work of sharing the light of Christ every day:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among all, and

To make music in the heart. Amen.

* Hymn # 231 W & R

“Arise, Your Light Is Come!” Ruth Duck

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Arise, your light is come!

The Spirit’s call obey;

Show forth the glory of your God

Which shines on you today.

Arise, your light is come!

Fling wide the prison door;

Proclaim the captive’s liberty,

Good tidings to the poor.

Arise, your light is come!

All you in sorrow born,

Bind up the brokenhearted ones

And comfort those who morn.

Arise, your light is come!

The mountains burst in song!

Rise up like eagles on the wing,

God’s power will make us strong.

* Benediction

Family of faith,

as you leave this place,

you go into a weary world—

so speak tenderly.

Do the good that is yours to do.

Choose connection.

Hold onto hope.

And remember

that Christ took on flesh for you.

You are God’s beloved.

So go rejoicing.

The world needs it.

Amen.

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“We Three Kings of Orient Are,” Becki Slagle Mayo

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal

Words for Worship, including Communion Invitation: Rev. Pat Raube

Service of the Lord’s Supper: Rev. Katy Schneider Halliburton

Prayer of Thanksgiving After Communion: Rev. Ted Loder