SERVING ON JANUARY 6, 2008: THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

8:00 AM

Usher Muriel Schulz
Usher Nan Wilson
First Reading Lizz Beitzel
Psalm Janet Murry
Second Reading Blake LaMar
Prayers Kathy Van Orden

Chalice Jim Babcock
Chalice Kathy Van Orden

10:00 AM

Usher Joan Marchant
Usher NEEDED

First Reading Rob Nelson
Psalm Laurie Nelson
Second Reading Michelle Miyatake
Prayers Sandie Nelson

Chalice Bob Nelson
Chalice Sandie Nelson

COLLECT AND READINGS

Feast of the Epiphany January 6, 2008

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 60:1-6,9
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 on 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.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 Page 685, BCP
Deus, judicium
Cantor: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

People: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
1
Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son;
2
That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3
That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.

People: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

4
He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5
He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6
He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.

People: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

7
In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11
All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.

12
For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.

People: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.


13
He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14
He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

People: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.



Ephesians 3:1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In 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: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of 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. Although 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, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so 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. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.



Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "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." 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 wise men 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 at its rising, 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.





The Prayers of the People
Remain standing
We pray now for the needs of the church, the world and all those in need, knowing that God is able to bring light to any darkness, and to transfigure any circumstance into a moment for blessing.
Gracious God, empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness. We remember especially our Diocesan Bishop, Jon and our other bishops Chet, Sergio, and Robert and all of the people and clergy of this diocese.

Break down the barriers that divide, so that, united in your truth and love, the church may confess your name, share one baptism, sit at one table, and serve you with one accord.

Light of the world.
Be known to us.

Guide the rulers of the nations. Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain ambition. Inspire them to strive for justice and peace, so that all your children may be free.

Light of the world.
Be known to us.

Hear the cries of those who are hungry, homeless and suffering, those near and those far. Give all of your children the will to reach out in love and compassion and to share the blessings of food, care, shelter and fullness of life with others.

Light of the world.
Be known to us.

Look with compassion on all who suffer illness and distress, especially those we name now, whether silently or aloud [silence for congregational response]. Support them with
your love and lead us to be healers to all we encounter, in the name of Christ.

Light of the world.
Be known to us.

With thanksgiving, we remember those saints who bore witness to your light. Allow us to persevere in faith, mercy and love and at the end of our lives to behold your glory.
We also give thanks for the many blessings of our lives especially….

Light of the world.
Be known to us.