Worship Service – January 3, 2021

The Building is Closed and the Church is Open

While we have restricted access to the building, Peace Church is very much open to ministry—working to respond to our own congregation, as well as the needs of our neighbors and community.  Please consider giving either to Peace Church general fund or the Gabriel Fund – which is used to meet the needs in the community.

We recognize that in this time, people’s financial situations may have changed. We ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give.  If you use electronic giving, we thank you for your constancy of support.  If you would like to give through our online form, we would be grateful. For all the contributions from our members and friends—whether financial, time, or prayer—we ask God’s blessings on those gifts that Peace Church may be healing balm in this time when we are living in our own Gilead.

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January 3, 2020  ⁂  10:30am

Epiphany Sunday

Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Greg Briggs, Interim Minister
Rev. Kathryn Nelson 

Prelude   Fantasy Op. 73 by Robert Schumann   Frost Bowen-Bailey, horn

Announcements and Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

Choral Call to Worship    “Prayer Song”    (#27 P&W Songbook)

Ron Deters, Ian Connell, John Erickson, Jane & Peter Aas

Responsive Call to Worship         from UCC Worship Ways

The Star still beckons. We follow the Light that was before,is now, and ever will be.
We seek the Light’s ancient wisdom.
The Star still beckons. We seek the Light that is God’s continuing gift.
We live into the Light’s new wisdom.
We awake to the Light in our world, emerging anew each day.
We seek to share this wisdom, nurtured in the Light over Bethlehem’s cradle.

*Opening Hymn    “Arise, Your Light Has Come”    (#164)

Prayer of Confession            from UCC Worship Ways

Sometimes we feel lost and even consumed by darkness.  We wonder if we are loveable. Our actions dim the value
and worth of others, and ourselves.  (The leader lights the candle)
But in Christ, God has given us a new Light, kindling unconditional love for us, and showing us a well-lit path to wholeness and forgiveness.  Thanks be to God.

Story for All Ages        Sharon Dawson, Children’s Ministry

God is Revealed in the Word

God’s Word in the Gospel:   Matthew 2:1–12

Special Music    “Guiding Light” by Foy Vance

Sermon    “Home by Another Way”

Hymn    “These Footsteps”    (#15 P&W Songbook)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Pastoral Prayer by Nathan Holst, the Lord’s Prayer (with debts) and Choral Amen

Sharing our Offerings

Offertory    “A Higher Place” by Tom Petty

*The Thanksgiving    (Doxology)

*Prayer of Dedication

Sharing Communion Together

Hymn of Preparation    “We Are People on a Journey”    (#340)

Special Music During Communion    “Light On” by Maggie Rogers

Closing Hymn    “I Am the Light of the World”    (#584)

Benediction

Postlude