1.7.24 Princeton UMC Bulletin

JANUARY 7, 2024 EPIPHANY

On Them Light has Shined | Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity

THE CHURCH GATHERS Pre-Service Music

Nocturne

Borodin

adapted from Steve Garnaas-Holmes God of Creation, your light shines in the stars.

May your star lead us to life.

Your light shines in the heart of those who wander in search of you.

May star light lead us to wonder.

Your light shines in the Christ child, revealed as the light of the world.

May your star lead us to love.

Holy Spirit, light of God, shine in us, that we may be light for the world.

Alleluia! Come, Star of Life, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

Call to Worship

Hymn

There’s a Song in the Air

UMH #249

Prayer of Confession

adapted from Steve Garners-Holmes and Thom Shuman

God of Love, we confess we do not always follow your star. Yet, God, we want to follow the star of love.

We turn aside and leave the path; we weary of the journey and turn to other things. Yet, God, we want to follow the star of love.

We confess we sometimes cooperate with Herod, the powers that seek to diminish your light. We need help, God, because we want to follow the star of love.

We have many gifts to give, and we sometimes fail to give our gifts, keeping them hidden or letting them fade away. Forgive us; renew your Spirit in us. Be our star and guide us.

We want to follow the star of love.

Words of Assurance

silence for prayer

Arise, shine! Grace has been poured into our hearts, love has flooded our souls.

The light of hope shines in us, and we see once more your star of love.

We want to follow the star of love.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

Amen.

SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY Acolytes - Hazel Cheng, Liam Cheng Liturgists - Abu Ibrahim, Allie Rosner Bass Reader - Iona Harding Musicians - Julia Hanna, Jenni Collins Ushers - Bob Nuse, Charles Bass, Lou Davelman, Reggie Cann, Paul Manulik

TODAY'S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN

In loving memory of my husband, Ray

BY KATHRYN RANTA

and in honor of Maggie Collins’ sweet 16th birthday

BY THE COLLINS FAMILY

TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT Children's Time

Where Children Belong

TFWS #2233

Scripture Reading Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon

Accepting the Gift

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

TO RESPOND IN FAITH Prayers of the People Offertory

Solfeggio

Carl Phillipp Emanuel Bach

Holy Communion

UMH #13

The Lord's Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kin-dom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Prayer After Receiving

AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD Hymn

Carol of Epiphany

TFWS #2094

Gavotte from First Symphony

Prokofiev

Benediction Postlude

PRAYER CONCERNS Prayers for Ukraine and Russia, as well as Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon.

Prayers for their leaders to come to peaceful resolutions.

Prayers for those who are homeless during this particularly cold time, and for those who help and serve them.

Prayers for all who are lonely or depressed, and those who help care for them.

Prayers for those in Japan who are affected by the earthquake.

Prayers for all who are seeking refuge from war and violence.

HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?

For our Prayer Chain, call Yvonne Macdonald at 609-577-8369 or email her at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Email Pastor Tayler Necoechea at tayler@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.

WELCOME TO

Princeton United Methodist Church We are a diverse faith community, engaged in enlivening spiritually thirsty people to joyfully respond to God’s love and grow as disciples of Christ, so that together we may experience the fullness of life.

SCAN TO CONNECT WITH US OR TEXT 'PUMC' TO 609-542-2192

SCAN TO GIVE OR TEXT YOUR GIFT AMOUNT TO 609-554-1128

ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFIRMATION 2024

All 8th graders are invited to sign up for 2024 Confirmation class. Class begins Jan 28th and will meet every Sunday after church. Please email Pastor Tayler by Jan 24th to register!

WELCOME PARTY

New to Princeton UMC? Hoping to make some new friends and see what Princeton UMC is all about? Then come to the Welcome Party!

The party starts Sunday, January 21st, at 11:30am at Princeton UMC and online.

DIAPER BUNDLING PARTY

TODAY

Please join us today after service in Rooms 202 and 203 for our Diaper Bundling party! For the past four weeks we have been collecting donations of diapers and training pants for our partnership with Maker’s Place to distribute to families in need throughout the year. Today marks the end of our diaper drive, so we will be bundling the diapers in groups for Maker’s Place to more easily distribute. Make sure to come on by!

ALTAR FLOWERS NEEDED

It is that time of year again! Altar flowers are needed for 2024. For questions, or to sign up, check out the Happenings, or reach out to Pam Nugent at poodleluvs@aol.com.

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