Pine Street Presbyterian Church
in the City of Harrisbur g
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
January 5, 2024
Second Sunday of Christmas
G ATHERING IN THE P RESENCE OF THE R ISEN C HRIST
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
O star-flinging God, you lead us ever gently toward your promise. In unlikely ways and through unlikely people, you are always appearing in our midst, bringing greater revelations. Teach us this day to pay attention. Grant us softness of heart, so that we don’t miss your appearance. Bring us into a deeper knowledge of you as we worship and seek you on this feast of Epiphany. Amen.
VOLUNTARY We Three Kings of Orient Are Richard Ellsasser (Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
SALUTATION
One: Tell the good news throughout the earth: Many: the saving grace of Jesus Christ is for all.
† Those able are invited to stand Bold text is read or sung by all
Elyse Rogers
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The glory of God has now appeared
Many: through Christ our light, in flesh.
One: The reign of God has now arrived
Many: through Christ our king, our eternal ruler.
One: The mystery of God has been revealed
Many: through Christ our peace, ever reconciling.
One: With the stars to lead us and the magi to teach us,
Many: we come, bringing our gifts to worship God. Amen.
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace. In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and pour out the gifts of your Spirit, that, forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ.
† HYMN 147 The First Nowell THE FIRST NOWELL
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: The mercy of the Lord is like rain,
Many: like showers that water the earth.
One: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Many: Thanks be to God!
† GLORIA
R EADING AND H EARING THE W ORD
PRAYER
FOR ILLUMINATION
Benjamin Coles
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 Old Testament Page 690
One: The Word of the Lord.
Many: Thanks be to God.
† HYMN 149 All Hail to God’s Anointed (Psalm 72)
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:1-12
THIRD LESSON Matthew 2:1-12
New Testament Page 193
New Testament Page 2
SERMON “Additional Magi” The Rev. Seelman
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
From the PC(USA) Brief Statement of Faith (1983) In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
† THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Many: And also with you.
WELCOME
(Please sign the Friendship Register or scan the code)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
(To donate to Pine Street Presbyterian online through PayPal, scan the code)
ANTHEM There Shall a Star Felix Mendelssohn
There shall a Star from Jacob come forth, and a Sceptre from Israel rise up, and dash in pieces princes and nations. How brightly beams the morning star! With sudden radiance from afar with light and comfort glowing! Thy Word, Jesus, inly feeds us, rightly leads us, life bestowing.
† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
†
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SEALING THE WORD
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
… who forever sing to the glory of your name:
The prayer continues.
… dedicated to your service:
INTERCESSION, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION
One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP
One: The gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the joyful feast.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
B EARING AND F OLLOWING THE W ORD OF G OD INTO THE W ORLD
† HYMN 138 Who Would Think That What Was Needed WHITE ROSETTES
† BENEDICTION
† CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Joy to the World ANTIOCH
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
VOLUNTARY Postlude on “In Dulci Jubilo” Charles Callahan
L EADING IN W ORSHIP T ODAY
The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor
Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship
Benjamin Coles, Lector
Elyse Rogers, Liturgist
Daniel Coles, Acolyte
The Chancel Choir
F LOWER D EDICATION
The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of our parents and grandparents John Weaver and John and Esther Mae Anderson by Deb, Jim, Sarah, Rebekah, and John Anderson.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday, Jan. 5– 2nd Sunday of Christmas
8:45 am- Sunday School
9:00 am- Choir Warm Up
9:00 am- Café Conversations
10:00 am- Worship
Sunday, Jan. 12– Baptism of the Lord
8:45 am- Sunday School
9:00 am- Choir Warm Up
9:00 am- Café Conversations
10:00 am- Worship
C OPYRIGHT N OTICE
Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net #A-71074. All rights reserved. Liturgy was reprinted and adapted with permission from Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion copyright 2013, and from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.
