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January 2, 2022
The Epiphany of Our Lord
Adoration of the Christ Child by
the Three Kings
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
The
Epiphany of our Lord, one of the six principal festivals of the Church year,
commemorates the event related in Matthew 2:1-12, the visitation of the Magi or
the ‘Three Kings’ to the infant Jesus. In Church tradition, this event is
understood to have deep significance. It stands for the revelation or
manifestation of God, in Christ, to the Gentile nations, that is, the
non-Jewish world.
OLD TESTAMENT: Christ’s revelation to the
Gentiles fulfills ancient prophecies of Scripture such as the one found in our
first reading, Isaiah 60:1-6. The verse, ‘Nations shall come to your light, and
kings to the brightness of your rising,’ led to the identification of the Magi
with foreign kings, as popularized in the hymn We Three Kings. Psalm 72 also lends itself to this interpretation.
Originally sung in celebration of a king of the Davidic dynasty, in the light
of Christ’s advent we sing the psalm and acclaim Jesus as the ‘King of Kings.’
NEW TESTAMENT: Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
echoes this theme of ‘revelation’ or ‘manifestation’ to the Gentiles. God has
given him grace to ‘bring to the [nations] the news of the boundless riches of
Christ.’ It is Paul’s mission to lead them, like the star led the Magi from a
country far, to the Christ they may worship and adore.
GOSPEL: Herod the Great had been installed
by the Romans as their puppet king in Judea. So it is unnerving for him, to say
the least, when the Magi show up and ask to see the one who is ‘born king of
the Jews.’ Though Herod plans to eliminate this threat to his power, God
preserves the child-King until his appointed time.
The
gifts the Magi give to the infant Jesus have been subject to a variety of
interpretations throughout history. Whatever the specific interpretation, the
great value of the gifts show they were given in homage to a ruler.
OPENING MUSIC The First Noel
I. Hugo Gehrke
II. Gordon Phillips
Stand
XHYMN The First Noel Green
LBW 56
Stanzas 1, 3, 5 / ALL
Stanzas 2, 4 / Choir
1 The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor
shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they
lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter's
night that was so deep.
Refrain
Noel,
Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.
2 They looked up and saw
a star
shining in the east
beyond them far;
and to the earth it
gave great light,
and so it continued
both day and night. Refrain
3 And by the light of
that same star
three wise men came
from country far;
to seek for a king
was their intent,
and to follow the
star wherever it went. Refrain
4 This star drew near to
the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it
took its rest;
and there it did both
stop and stay
right over the place
where Jesus lay. Refrain
5 Then entered in those
wise men three,
full rev'rently upon
their knee,
and offered there in
his presence
their gold, and
myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain
APOSTOLIC GREETING and PRAYER OF THE DAY
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Lord 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.
Amen
CALL TO THE WORD
The news of the boundless riches of Christ
has been brought even to us.
Let us hear the Word of the
Lord.
Sit
FIRST 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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to
God.
HYMN Hail to the Lord’s
Anointed Green LBW 87
1 Hail
to the Lord’s anointed,
great
David’s greater Son!
Hail,
in the time appointed,
his
reign on earth begun!
He
comes to break oppression,
to
set the captive free,
to
take away transgression
and
rule in equity.
2 He
comes with rescue speedy
to
those who suffer wrong,
to
help the poor and needy,
and
bid the weak be strong;
to
give them songs for sighing,
their
darkness turn to light,
whose
souls, condemned and dying,
were
precious in his sight.
3 He
shall come down like showers
upon
the fruitful earth;
and
love, joy, hope, like flowers,
spring
in his path to birth.
Before
him on the mountains
shall
peace, the herald, go;
and
righteousness in fountains
from
hill to valley flow.
4 Kings
shall fall down before him,
and
gold and incense bring;
all
nations shall adore him,
his
praise all people sing.
To
him shall prayer unceasing
and
daily vows ascend;
his
kingdom still increasing,
a
kingdom without end.
SECOND READING Ephesians 3:1-12
1This 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.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Stand
VERSE Matthew
2:2 Setting by Robert Wetzler
Alleluia. We have seen his star in the East, and
have come to worship him. Alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to St.
Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
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 Gospel of
the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
SERMON
Stand
X Hymn of the DaY
Angels,
from the Realms of Glory Green LBW 50
wing your flight o'er
all the earth;
once you sang
creation's story,
now proclaim
Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
come and worship,
worship Christ, the
newborn king.
2 Shepherds, in the
fields abiding,
watching o'er your
flocks by night,
God with us is now
residing,
yonder shines the
infant light.
Come and worship,
come and worship,
worship Christ, the
newborn king.
3 Sages, leave your
contemplations,
brighter visions beam
afar;
seek the great desire
of nations,
you have seen his
natal star.
Come and worship,
come and worship,
worship Christ, the
newborn king.
4 All creation, join in
praising
God, the Father,
Spirit, Son,
evermore your voices
raising
to the eternal Three
in One.
Come and worship,
come and worship,
worship Christ, the
newborn king.
Sit
HOLY BAPTISM
Baptismal Candidate: Ronel Josiah Thomas
son of Terance
Joshua Thomas and Ramya Kanthi Bejjam
(sponsors: Divya Bejjam and Sushant Paikaray)
In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father
liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of
our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters
of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life. By
water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body
of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and
obedience to the will of God.
The parents and sponsors present the child with these words:
We present Ronel
Josiah to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
In Christian love you have presented Ronel Josiah for Holy Baptism. You should, therefore, faithfully
bring him to the services of
God's house, and teach him the
Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As he grows in years, you should place in his hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for his instruction in the Christian
faith, that, living in the covenant of his
Baptism and in communion with the Church, he may lead a godly life until the day of Jesus Christ. Do you
promise to fulfill these obligations?
R I
do.
Stand
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ
Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
That you would keep your holy Church steadfast in
the faith and confession of the holy and blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit: Lord, in your mercy,
hear
our prayer.
That Ronel
Josiah and all who are baptized in the Triune name may daily die to sin and
rise to newness of life: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That all pastors may teach with boldness; that
those in government may be filled with wisdom, that our nation and world may
know the gifts of peace and justice: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That the blessings of your grace may be showered
upon all, especially the sick in body, mind, and spirit, the poor and those with
no one to care for them, and that you would call us, who are baptized in your
name, into solidarity with them: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That, following in the footsteps of our ancestors
in faith, Ronel Josiah and all the baptized may be
strengthened on earth and attain to the joy of
heaven: Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Abba, Father, hear the prayers we offer in the
power of the Spirit, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: We give you
thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and you created
heaven and earth. By the gift of water you nourish and sustain us and all
living things.
By the waters of the flood you condemned the wicked
and saved those whom you had chosen, Noah and his family. You led Israel by the
pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, out of slavery into the freedom of
the promised land. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John
and anointed with the Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection
your beloved Son has set us free from the bondage to sin and death, and has
opened the way to the joy and freedom of everlasting life. He made water a sign
of the kingdom and of cleansing and rebirth. In obedience to his command, we
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that he who is here baptized may be given
new life. Wash away the sin of him who
is cleansed by this water and bring him forth as an
inheritor of your glorious kingdom.
To you be given praise and honor and worship through
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and
forever.
Amen
The
minister addresses the parents and sponsors:
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus,
reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that
defy God?
R I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel
against God?
R I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from
God?
R I renounce them.
With the people of God, do you believe in God the
Father?
I believe in God, the
Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus
Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of
the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy
Spirit,
the
holy catholic Church,
the
communion of saints,
the
forgiveness of sins,
the
resurrection of the body,
and
the life everlasting. Amen
Sit
The minister baptizes the candidate.
Ronel Josiah, I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
You belong to Christ,
in
whom you have been baptized. Alleluia.
The minister and the baptismal
group go before the altar.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The minister lays both hands on the head of the
baptized and prays for the Holy Spirit:
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give
you thanks for freeing your son from the power of sin and for raising him up to
a new life through this holy sacrament. Pour your Holy Spirit upon Ronel Josiah: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your
presence. Amen
The
minister marks the sign of the cross
with oil on the forehead of the baptized. As the sign of the cross is made, the
minister says:
Ronel Josiah, son of God,
you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ
forever.
The parents and sponsors respond: "Amen."
A candle is lit from the paschal candle, and these
words are said as the candle is given:
Let your light so shine before others that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The
minister prays for the parents.
O God, the giver of all life, look with kindness
upon the father and mother of this
child. Let them ever rejoice in the gift you have given them. Make them
teachers and examples of righteousness for their child. Strengthen them in their own Baptism so they may share
eternally with their child the
salvation you have given them, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Stand
Through Baptism God has made this new brother a member of
the priesthood we all share in Christ Jesus, that we may proclaim the praise of
God and bear his creative and redeeming Word to all the world.
We welcome you into the
Lord's family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child
of the same heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God.
Peace
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
The people exchange a sign of peace
with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
Stand
OFFERTORY
Isaiah 60:1, 6; Matthew 2:2 Setting by Robert Wetzler
Arise, shine; for
your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. They shall
bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. We have
seen his star in the East and have come with gifts to worship the Lord.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ,
from your dwelling place,
from
the glorious throne of your kingdom, and come and cleanse us.
You are seated on high with the Father,
and you dwell also with us here, although
unseen.
By your
mighty hand render us worthy to receive in holy communion
your
spotless body and your precious blood.
Amen
The Lord be with you.
And also with
you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to
the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to
give him thanks and praise.
It is indeed
right and salutary that we should at all times
and in all places offer thanks and
praise to you,
O Lord, holy Father, almighty and
ever-living God.
In the incarnation of your Son, a
new light has dawned upon the world,
that all the nations may be brought out of darkness to see the radiance
of your glory.
And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your
name and join their unending hymn:
Holy,
holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!
Heaven
and earth are full of your glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
Hosanna in the highest! (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)
The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic
canon:
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 this 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 healing 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 mystery of our faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
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,
renewed in the forgiveness of sins.
and joyous in our hope for your eternal kingdom.
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
In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave
us.
Christ
is in our midst.
By the power of the Spirit,
we pray to his Father, saying:
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 trespasses,
as
we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory,
forever and ever. Amen Matthew
6:9-15
We have
found him who gives light to the nations,
and have come to do him homage.
Thanks be to God.
We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb
of God).
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Grant us peace. John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13
Sit
DISTRIBUTION
Admission to the Sacrament is by
invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.
They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who
are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ,
crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread
and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
The
communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not
come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all
the way to the table until the pastor has retreated.
When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ,
given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed
for you,’ drink the wine. Please take
the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.
XDISTRIBUTION HYMNS
Choir Anthem
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
Text/ Charles Wesley;
Music/Hymn tune RATISBON, setting by Healey Willan
Christ, whose glory
fills the skies, Thou, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness,
arise, triumph o’er the
shades of night.
Dayspring from on high
be near; Daystar, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is
the morn unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return till Thy mercy’s beams I
see,
Till they inward
light impart, glad my eyes and warm my heart.
Visit, then, this
soul of mine, pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy
Divine, scatter all my unbelief.
More and more Thyself
display, shining to the perfect day.
Bright and Glorious Is the Sky Green LBW 75
St. 1, 3, 5/Choir;
St. 2, 4, 6/ALL
1 Bright and glorious is the sky,
radiant are the heavens high
where the golden stars are shining.
All their rays to earth inclining
beckon us to heav’n above,
beckon us to heav’n above.
2 On that holy Christmas night
through the darkness beamed a light;
all the stars above were paling,
all their luster slowly failing
as the Christmas star drew nigh,
as the Christmas star drew nigh.
3 Sages from the East afar,
when they saw this wondrous star,
went to find the king of nations
and to offer their oblations
unto him as Lord and King,
unto him as Lord and King.
4 Him they found in Bethlehem,
yet he wore no diadem;
they but saw a maiden lowly
with an infant pure and holy
resting in her loving arms,
resting in her loving arms.
5 Guided by the star, they found
him whose praise the ages sound.
We too have a star to guide us
which forever will provide us
with the light to find our Lord,
with the light to find our Lord.
6 As a star, God’s holy word
leads us to our King and Lord;
brightly from its sacred pages
shall this light throughout the ages
shine upon our path of life,
shine upon our path of life.
When all have received, the
congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.
The body and
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the
salvation
which you have prepared in the
sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the
nations
and the glory of your people
Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be forever. Amen
Song of Simeon (Luke
2:29-32)
Lord God,
the bright
splendor whom the nations seek:
let us,
who are drawn by your light,
discern
the glory of your presence in your Son,
the Word
made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Sit
INSTALLATION OF CONGREGATIONAL
LEADERS
The magi, led by a star, came to
Christ, bringing him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, paying him
homage. You too have come forward, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to
worship and adore Christ and serve him in taking up office, as you have been
elected by your congregation. You bring gifts of time, skill, and wisdom, to
lay before God for use as he sees fit. On behalf of this congregation, I ask
you to affirm your willingness to take up these tasks.
St. Paul writes: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the
same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord
is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God
gives to everyone ability for particular service. The Spirit's presence is
shown in some way in each person, for the good of all. (1 Corinthians
12:4-7)
You have been elected to positions
of leadership and trust among the people of Saint Stephen Lutheran Church.
You are to see that the words and
deeds of this household of faith reflect him in whose name we gather.
You are to work together with
other members to see that the worship and work of Christ are done in this congregation,
and that God's will is done in this community and in the whole world.
You are to be diligent in your
specific area of serving, that the one Lord who empowers you is glorified.
You are to be examples of faith
active in love, to help maintain the life and harmony of this congregation.
On behalf of your sisters and
brothers in Christ, I ask you: Are you ready to accept and faithfully to carry
out the duties of the offices to which you have been elected?
R Yes, by the help of God.
Stand
People of God, I ask you: Will you
support these, your elected leaders, and will you share in the mutual ministry
that Christ has given to all who are baptized?
Yes, by the help of God.
I now declare you installed in
your offices in this congregation. God bless you with his Holy Spirit, that you
may prove faithful servants of Christ.
Amen
BENEDICTION
Christ our Lord,
to whom kings bowed down in worship and offered
gifts,
reveal to you his glory and pour down upon you the
riches of his grace.
Amen
Almighty
God, Father, XSon, and Holy Spirit,
bless you now and forever.
Amen
XCLOSING HYMN O
One with God the Father Green LBW 77
1 O
one with God the Father
in
majesty and might,
the
brightness of his glory,
eternal
Light of light:
to
gloomy haunts of darkness
your
rays are streaming down;
the
shadows flee before you,
the
world’s true light has come.
2 Yet,
Lord, we see but dimly,
O
heav’nly Light, arise;
dispel
these mists that shroud us
and
hide you from our eyes.
We
long to track the footprints
where
you yourself have trod;
we
long to see the pathway
that
leads to you, our God.
3 O
Jesus, shine around us
with
radiance of your grace;
O
Jesus, turn upon us
the
brightness of your face.
We
need no star to guide us,
as
on our way we press,
if
you will light our pathway,
O
Sun of righteousness.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH
FAMILY
Sun/ Jan 2 Choir
rehearsal 9:30 AM
WORSHIP
10:30 AM
Food
Bank
Prayer
at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM
Mon/ Jan 3 Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM
Wed/ Jan 5 Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM
Fri/ Jan 7 Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM
Sat/ Jan 8 NA Meeting 11 AM
Sun/ Jan 9 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM
WORSHIP
10:30 AM
Prayer
at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress
Liturgies Annual License #20540.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989,
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Additional liturgical material from Common Worship:
Times and Seasons, copyright the Church of England.
Eucharistic Canon reprinted by permission from A Little Book of Canons by the Rev.
Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, c. 1997 and c. 2010.
Bouts, Dieric, 1415-1475. Adoration
of the Christ Child by the Three Kings, from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=49146 [retrieved December 20, 2021].
Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dieric_Bouts_004.jpg.
Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
St Stephen Lutheran Church
55 Forsythe Road
Pittsburgh PA 15220
(412) 279-5868
office@ststephenpittsburgh.org
Saturday
Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday
Morning Worship – 10:30 am
