Two Kings

Two Kings is our worship theme for Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2013. Our focus scripture is Matthew 2:1-12.

The most arresting feature of the story of the Magi is their journey. In twelve verses, Matthew gives us a life in miniature. The recognition of a call. Leaving home and all that is familiar. The trial of encountering the false king, Herod. Receiving divine guidance. Finding Jesus and his family. Worshiping the true king and offering him gifts. And going home by another way. These elements of a hero journey characterize our lives as well as the Magi… except that Jesus isn’t as easy for us to recognize. Not that he was then either, being born to ordinary parents in an out-of-the-way corner of the world, nearly indistinguishable from the masses of other poor children scattered far and wide. So the Magi needed to follow both heavenly signs and earthly directions. But at least he eventually appeared right in front of them. How satisfying it must have been to offer their gifts in the sure knowledge that they were giving them to the authentic King rather than a pretender like Herod.

For us he is also hidden, easy to miss among the loud proclamations of various bands of followers, and the din of marketers and robbers, trying to make a killing by hijacking his birthday. As in the days of Herod, the sound of wailing is heard throughout our land, Rachel weeping inconsolably for her children, slain in Newtown and Aurora and Blacksburg as they were in Bethlehem. Yet, even for us it is still possible to find him. To give our true worship to the true King. To offer the best of our gifts. And to return home by a far different, blessed way. Would that it would be so for us and for our world so captive still to kings like Herod.

Here is our bulletin for Sunday with a Thought for Meditation, Call to Worship, and Communion Liturgy that all reflect the worship theme of Two Kings. Please use or adapt anything helpful to you.

We Gather to Worship on Epiphany Sunday

Our Worship Theme Is: Two Kings

Music for a Time of Reflection

Thought for Meditation

On Epiphany we celebrate the arrival of the Magi – traditionally three kings – to worship Jesus in Bethlehem. They search for the King of kings – the One who deserves their worship. But first they must encounter Herod, an evil king. Kings abound in our story. Telling one from the other is everything.

Welcome and Opportunities in the Life of the Church

Prelude                  "The Three Kings"                         Wilbur Held

                              

                                         We Praise God

Call to Worship

L: Long ago Magi saw a star in the night sky. They knew a King was born!

P: They followed the star a long way. It took them far from home.

L: Finally they arrived at King Herod’s door in Jerusalem.

P: “We’ve seen a new star,” they said. “It means a new king is born.

    Can you tell us where to find him? We want to worship him.”

L: Herod was worried. He wanted to be king. He wanted the new king dead.

P: Herod consulted his advisors. “You will find him in Bethlehem,”

     he said. “Come back and tell me where. I also want to worship him.”

L: The Magi went fast. They found Jesus and worshiped him.

     They offered precious gifts of gold and spices.

P: Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

     They went home by another way. They had found the true king.

All: Like the Magi, let us worship Jesus. Let us offer our gifts.

     After the choirs process, please bring your gifts for baby Jesus.         

**Processional Hymn #173          “We Three Kings”          Kings of Orient

We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,

field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again, 

King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh,

prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high. Refrain

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom, sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb. Refrain

Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and sacrifice!

Hallelujah, hallelujah, sounds through the earth and skies. Refrain

We Turn Our Hearts to God in Prayer

Pastoral Prayer and 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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. Amen.

We Hear and Reflect on God’s Living Word

Bible Reading                       Matthew 2:1-12       Christian Scriptures, Pg. 2

Sermon                                    “Two Kings”

We Dedicate Our Gifts and Lives to God

Call to Stewardship

Offertory         “Three Kings from Persian Lands”         Gustav Von Holst

                                             Chancel Choir

Unison Prayer of Dedication

          Gracious God, you birth yourself into our world, the true King we need and want! In Christ’s face we see your glory. Receive and bless our gifts. Grant that they will all be used in the work of his kingdom. In his powerful name we pray. Amen.

We Come to Christ’s Table to be Fed by Him

**Communion Hymn #134          “Lord, You Were Rich”          Fragrance

Lord, you were rich beyond all splendor, yet for love’s sake became so poor; 

leaving your home in glad surrender, sapphire-paved courts for stable floor. 

Lord, you were rich beyond all splendor, yet for love’s sake became so poor.

You are our God beyond all praising, yet for love’s sake became a man; 

stooping so low, but sinners raising heavenwards by your eternal plan.

You are our God beyond all praising, yet for love’s sake became a man.

Lord you are love beyond all telling; Savior and King, we worship you.

Emmanuel, within us dwelling, make us and keep us pure and true.

Lord you are love beyond all telling; Savior and King, we worship you.

Invitation

Unison Communion Prayer

          Gracious God, we give thanks this morning for the example of the Magi, who saw the signs of Christ’s birth and journeyed a long way to offer their gifts and their hearts. Although we make a much shorter journey to Christ’s table, we also give Christ our hearts and dedicate all the gifts that we have for his healing work.

          As we come to Christ’s table, we pray that you will give us the vision to know the difference between Christ and Herod. Help us to not be tricked by the powers of this world to worship useless things. Help us see the places where Christ is truly at work.

Now bless this bread and cup, these symbols of Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection. And bless us in receiving them so that he might come to life in us. Through his living presence and power, let Christ empower us to do his work. In his amazing name we pray. Amen.

Words of Institution

Receiving the Elements

     All who wish to be strengthened with the living presence and love of Christ are invited to his table. When the tray of cups is passed you will find grape juice on the outer ring and wine on the inner two rings. Please hold both the bread and the cup until everyone is served and we will take them together as a sign of our unity in him.

Anthem            "We Three Kings and All That Jazz"         Harold Barnett

                                    College/High School Choir         

Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank you, God, for calling us to Christ’s table and filling us with his presence and love. Send us forth into the world to offer our gifts that his kingdom may come. Amen.

We Go Forth To Do Christ’s Ministry

**Recessional Hymn #172 vs. 1-4   “As with Gladness Men of Old”   Dix

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 be led to thee.

As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed,

there to bend the knee before, thee whom heaven and earth adore:

so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare at thy cradle rude and bare,

so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy,

all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, 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 of glory hide.

**Benediction   

Postlude                            "Three Kings March"            Michael R. Barker

This is the first Sunday in the season of Epiphany.  An epiphany is an event where we sense God’s presence and in some way God is revealed to us.  Epiphany always begins with celebrating the arrival of the Magi, who follow a new star to Bethlehem and find God in the baby Jesus, the King of kings.  During the processional hymn, all who have come prepared are invited to bring forward a gift for baby Jesus in the form of a gift for the baby ministry at Haven House in South Buffalo.  Please follow the choirs and put your gift into the box in front of the altar.  If you forgot or didn’t know, the box will be next to the food closet in the gathering space next Sunday.