This morning, the first Sunday after Christmas, we welcome the Rev. Taryn Mattice to our pulpit.
Join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited!
Christmas for Grown-Ups
Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12
Union Presbyterian Church
December 31, 2023
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Cathie Makowka Preacher: Rev. Taryn Mattice
Welcome
Announcements Cathie Makowka
Prelude
“Arise, Shine,” Chris O'Brien, Margaret Davis
©1997, Maranatha! Music and Word Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Nations will come and kings will bow
As the glory of God shines on you.
Lift up your hearts. Lift up your voice.
See the King of kings, the Lord of lords,
See the Prince of Peace shine on you.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
* Call to Worship Cathie Makowka
God of light and peace,
whose glory, shining in the child of Bethlehem,
still draws the nations to yourself:
dispel the darkness that shrouds our path,
that we may come
to kneel before Christ in true worship,
offer him our hearts and souls,
and return from his presence to live as he has taught. Amen.
* Hymn #229 W & R
“The First Noel”
(Public Domain)
The first Noel, the angel did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far,
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
Who hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood our life hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
* Call to New Life Cathie Makowka
Wherever light appears, there will also be darkness:
the darkness of old superstitions and dogmas which refuse to fade away easily;
the darkness of pride in the half truths that have masqueraded as wisdom;
the darkness of entrenched evil that hates the light and tries to dispose of it;
the darkness of apathy that cannot be bothered to open the shutters.
Let us make our confession together,
* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace
Most holy and most loving God, we admit to you and to each other, that we are creatures who either through foolishness or wilfulness often choose darkness instead of light.
Here and now we surrender to you our fears and proud opinions, our short-sighted folly and our pompous wisdom, our deep seated sins and our apathy towards change and renewal.
Please forgive the darkness and pain we have inflicted on others, and restore the light-starved hopes and ideals within our own souls. Trusting your grace, we earnestly pray: “Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.”
Through Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.
* Words of Assurance (responsive)
The Light comes not to sear and blind us but to save us.
Christ Jesus came into this world to save us
Thanks be to God!
Take up your forgiveness with thanksgiving,
and live without shame or anxiety.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ enables us. Amen!
* Sharing of the Peace
May the peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another.
Scripture Isaiah 60:1-6
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.
Time for Young Disciples Rev. Taryn Mattice
Music: “Two Thousand Years Since Bethlehem”
(Public Domain)
Scripture 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.
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:
Thanks be to God!
Sermon “Christmas for Grown-Ups" Rev. Taryn Mattice
* Statement of Faith (responsive)
With the whole church
We affirm that we are made in God’s image,
befriended by Christ,
empowered by the Spirit
With people everywhere
We affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity
planted more deeply than all that is wrong
With all creation
We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life;
the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work
in ourselves and the world.
Anthem
“Lead Us to Peace,” Hans Peterson
©2018, Dakota Road Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847
The nations, they rage, babies cry through the night.
Your people seek shelter, this world needs your light.
Like farmers who first heard good news of Christ’s birth,
We yearn for your “peace on the earth.”
O great star shining above
Guide us home to the birthplace of love.
On this cold winter night your people still fight;
Lead us to peace by your light.
You challenge our notion of true liberty.
The rich are brought low so that everyone’s free.
The proud come to understand humility.
The blind point the way and we see.
O great star shining above
Guide us home to the birthplace of love.
On this cold winter night your people still fight;
Lead us to peace by your light.
Not born in the comfort of wealth but instead
You enter what’s messy, a lowly cow shed.
Our rock through the ages and song through the years,
You’re met in our hopes and our fears.
O great star shining above
Guide us home to the birthplace of love.
On this cold winter night your people still fight;
Lead us to peace by your light.
Prayers of the People
The 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.
Prayer Response # 469 W & R (verse 3)
“Lord of All Hopefulness,” Jan Struther
©1975, GIA Publications, Inc., All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE,
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace.
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Call for Offering
* Doxology # 156 W & R
“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”
(Public Domain)
To you, O Christ, all praises be,
Whose advent sets your people free;
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore!
* Prayer of Dedication
* Hymn #358 W & R
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
(Public Domain)
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast;
Let us all in thee inherit,
Let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning,
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray and praise thee without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
* Benediction
Postlude Chris Bartlette
“Shine, Jesus, Shine,” Mark Hayes
©1987, Make Way Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847
Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.
“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal.
“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal