Beacon Online Worship Outline, 1/3/21 Epiphany

We hope you join us for worship, either live-streaming on our Youtube Channel or via zoom. Email info@thewordatbeacon.org for zoom info.

Gathering Time (unmuted)

Feel free to say hi and check in with others before the service begins!

Welcome/Announcements

Facing God (from Psalm 147)

Leader: Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

All: He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.

Leader: He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.

All: He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.

Leader: Let us worship God.

People Look East

People, look east. The time is near Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, That in course the flower may flourish. People, look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way.

Birds, though you long have ceased to build, Guard the nest that must be filled. Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen. People, look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.

Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Laying Down Our Burdens & Assurance

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

All: Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you by what we have done and what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

Leader: The Good News is that Christ has come and Christ will come again.

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

Children's Bible Story

Lectio Conversation (Matthew 2:1-12)

(Hold onto these questions while we read our scripture.)

What stands out to you about this text?

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt about the wise men?

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 Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Discussion

What stands out to you about this text?

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt about the wise men?

Homily

Prayers of the People

Now is the time when we share the prayers on our hearts and minds. If you have a private prayer, you can email them to us throughout the week and the pastoral team will pray over them.

If you have a prayer, please unmute your mic to share.

After each prayer, I will lead our response on mute:

Lord in your mercy // hear our prayers

***

Now I will offer a prayer for the greater community and world. We will end by saying the Lord’s Prayer together in whatever language you prefer. Let us pray.

(muted)

Leader: Just as God/Christ taught us to pray...

All: 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

Communion

Invitation:

Amidst great uncertainty and fear, Jesus gathered his friends together for a meal that would become for countless saints of the faith a way to experience and remember his eternal grace and love.

Jesus said, come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[You are invited to use whatever elements you have on hand – any beverage, any food]

Leader: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Prayer

Institution

[The bread of life, the cup of salvation.]

If You’re Out There

If you hear this message wherever you stand

I'm calling every woman, calling every man

We're the generation, we can't afford to wait

The future started yesterday and we're already late

We've been looking for a song to sing

Searched for a melody, searched for someone to lead

We've been looking for the world to change

If you feel the same, go on and say

Chorus:

If you're out there

Sing along with me if you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud if you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

No more broken promises, no more call to war

Unless it's love and peace that we're really fighting for

We can destroy hunger, we can conquer hate

Put down the arms and raise your voice, we're joining hands today

I was looking for a song to sing

Searched for a leader, but the leader was me

We were looking for the world to change

We can be heroes, just go on and say

Chorus

If you’re ready we can save the world

Believe again, start to mend

We don't have to wait for destiny

We should be the change that we want to see

Chorus

Tomorrow's starting now

If you hear this message, wherever you stand

I'm calling every woman, calling every man

We're the generation, we can't afford to wait

The future started yesterday and we're already late

Offering

To give online, click here: https://www.thewordatbeacon.org/donate

To give your prayers, email us at info@thewordatbeacon.org

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are;

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never,

Over us all to reign.

Chorus:

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Frankincense to offer have I;

Incense owns a Deity nigh;

Prayer and praising, voices raising,

Worshiping God on high.

Chorus

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom;

Sorr’wing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Chorus

Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Sounds through the earth and skies.

Chorus

Sending/Blessing (from Ephesians 1)

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

As we close this time together, let us read this word from the letter to the Ephesians:

All: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight God has made known to us the mystery of God’s will, according to God’s good pleasure that God set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Leader: The steadfast love of God goes with you, the deep and abiding peace of Christ goes with you, and the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit goes with you, now and always. Amen.