NOTE: Pg #s refer to the BAS
We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.
-Matthew 2:2
Processional Hymn: # 155 From East to West from Shore to Shore
From east to west, from shore to shore,
let every heart awake and sing
the holy child whom Mary bore,
the Christ, the everlasting King.
Behold! The world's creator wears
the form and fashion of a slave;
our very flesh our Maker shares,
his fallen creature now to save.
For this how wondrously he wrought!
A maiden, in her lowly place,
became, in ways beyond all thought,
the chosen vessel of his grace.
Assenting to the angel's word,
she chose what God the Spirit willed,
and suddenly the promised Lord
that pure and hallowed temple filled.
He shrank not from the oxen's stall,
he lay within the manger bed,
and he whose bounty feeds us all
at Mary's breast himself was fed.
And while the angels in the sky
sang praise above the silent field,
to shepherds poor the Lord most high,
the one great Shepherd, was revealed.
All glory for this blessèd morn
to God, the source of all, is due;
all praise to you, O Virgin-born,
all praise, O Holy Ghost, to you.
Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship:
No one can untie the know by which I bind myself to you, sweet Jesus
Like the wind blowing away the autumn leaves, Your Spirit blows away my sorrow. Like a lullaby soothing a troubled child, Your melody of love comforts my soul.
Like honey giving taste to dull food,
Your sweetness fills me with pleasure. Like a lamp shining in a dark night, Your light guides me through the dark confusions of life. Amen (Richard Rolle, “Wind, Melody, Sweetness and Light”)
(We prepare our hearts for worship in silence)
The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185)
Glory to God p. 186
Kyrie Eleison p. 186
Collect: Eternal God, who by a star led wise men to the worship of your Son. Guide by your light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may know your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: ISAIAH 60:1-6
PSALM 72:1-7, 10-14 R: All nations shall serve him.
Second Reading: EPHESIANS 3:1-12
Gospel Hymn: # 132 Of Eternal Love Begotten (vs 1-3)
Of eternal love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.
At his Word the worlds were framed.
He commanded, it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
in their threefold order one;
all that grows beneath the shining,
of the moon and burning sun,
evermore and evermore.
O that birth for ever blessed,
when the virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bare the Saviour of our race,
and the babe, the world's redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.
The Gospel: MATTHEW 2:1-12
Gospel Hymn: # 132 Of Eternal Love Begotten (vs 4-6)
This is he whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore.
O ye heights of heaven adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
all dominions bow before him,
and extol our God and king;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be,
honour, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore.
Homily:
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed p. 189 (please stand as able)
Prayers of the People
Confession and Absolution p. 191
The Peace p. 192
Offertory Hymn: # 161 Wise Men, They Came to Look For Wisdom
Wise men, they came to look for wisdom,
finding one wiser than they knew;
rich men, they met with one yet richer
King of the kings, they knelt to you:
Jesus, our wisdom from above,
wealth and redemption, life and love.
Pilgrims they were, from unknown countries,
searching for one who knows the world;
lost are their names, and strange their journeys,
famed is their zeal to find the child:
Jesus, in you the lost are claimed,
aliens are found, and known, and named.
Magi, they stooped to see your splendour,
led by a star to light supreme;
promised Messiah, Lord eternal,
glory and peace are in your name.
Joy of each day, our Song by night,
shine on our path your holy light.
Guests of their God, they opened treasures,
incense and gold and solemn myrrh;
welcoming one too young to question
how came these gifts, and what they were.
Gift beyond price of gold or gem,
make among us your Bethlehem.
Prayer over the Gifts: Gracious God, accept the offering of your Church, the hearts of your people joined in praise and thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharist prayer # 1) p. 193
The Lord’s Prayer (sung) p. 211
The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 6) p. 213
Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us… Grant us Your peace.
The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)
Communion Hymn: # 69 We who Live by Sound and Symbol
We who live by sound and symbol,
we who learn from sight and word,
find these married in the person
of the one we call our Lord.
Taking bread to be his body,
taking wine to be his blood,
he let thought take flesh in action;
he let faith take root in food.
Not just once with special people,
not just hidden deep in time,
but wherever Christ is followed,
earthly fare becomes sublime.
Though to sound this seems a mystery,
though to sense it seems absurd,
yet in faith, which seems like folly,
we meet Jesus Christ our Lord.
God, our Maker, send your Spirit
to pervade the bread we break.
Let it bring the life we long for
and the love which we forsake.
Bind us closer to each other,
both forgiving and forgiven;
give us grace in this and all things
to discern the hand of heaven.
Prayer after Communion: God of all the nations of the earth, guide us with your light. Help us to recognize Christ as he comes to us in this eucharist and in our neighbours. May we welcome him with love, for he is Lord now and for ever. Amen
Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: # 152 Let Folly Praise that Fancy Loves
Let folly praise that fancy loves;
I praise and love that child
whose heart no thought, whose tongue no word,
whose hand no deed defiled.
I praise him most, I love him best;
all praise and love are his.
While him I love, in him I live,
and cannot live amiss.
Love's sweetest mark, laud's highest theme,
our most desired light.
To love him life, to leave him death,
to live in him delight.
He mine by gift, I his by debt,
thus each to other due:
first friend he was, best friend he is;
all times will find him true.
Though young, yet wise, though small, yet strong,
though man, yet God he is;
as wise he knows, as strong he can,
as God he loves to bless.
His knowledge rules, his strength defends,
his love doth cherish all;
his birth our joy, his life our light,
his death our end of thrall.
The Dismissal p. 215
