January 12, 2025
Sunday Gathering

. . . . . . . . . .

-PRELUDE-
“Joy Unspeakable” – arr. P. Hamm
Brenda Gardiner

-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-
We acknowledge that the place where we are gathered today is the ancient and ancestral homeland of more than twenty Indigenous tribes. We mourn the loss of their lives, livelihoods, homes, and cultures, and acknowledge the legacy of violence against them. 

We acknowledge that the space where we worship today was established and built by those whose Black ancestors were also abused and mistreated - some even bought and sold as enslaved people right here in our city. 

We acknowledge the women who’ve faced unfair treatment and misogyny throughout the ages and we acknowledge those who identify as LGBTQ or other who’ve been mistreated and misunderstood. 

We acknowledge our role and responsibility as professed followers of Christ to stand for and alongside all of these and others who have been and continue to be oppressed.

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"The Family of God”

I’M SO GLAD WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY OF GOD;
AS WE DRINK FROM GOD’S FOUNTAIN
AND FEAST ON GOD’S LOVE.
WALKING WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL ALONG.
WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY,
THE FAM’LY OF GOD.

-WELCOME-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"The Family of God”

YOU WILL NOTICE WE’RE LIKE SIBLINGS
AND LOVED ONES ‘ROUND HERE,
IT’S BECAUSE WE’RE A FAMILY
AND WE HOLD EACH ONE NEAR.
WHEN ONE HAS A HEARTACHE,
WE ALL SHED THE TEARS
AND REJOICE IN EACH VICT’RY
IN THIS FAMILY SO DEAR.

I’M SO GLAD WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY OF GOD;
AS WE DRINK FROM GOD’S FOUNTAIN
AND FEAST ON GOD’S LOVE.
WALKING WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL ALONG.
WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY,
THE FAM’LY OF GOD.

-CALL TO WORSHIP-
We are grateful that we have found the Christ child;
HE HAS BROUGHT TO US THE HOPE WE NEED.

By knowing him, we are able to know his joy;
HE HAS BROUGHT JOY TO THE WORLD!

In finding him, we have found a new and everlasting peace;
HE OFFERS US PEACE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING.

In discovering him, we now have a love that changes lives;
HE IS LOVE AND HE IS THE LOVER OF US ALL.

We are grateful that we have found the Christ child;
AMEN.

-PRAYER-

-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"In the Midst of New Dimensions” 

IN THE MIDST OF NEW DIMENSIONS,
IN THE FACE OF CHANGING WAYS,
WHO WILL LEAD THE PILGRIM PEOPLES
WANDERING IN THEIR SEPARATE WAYS?

GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER,
NOW AND EVERMORE.

THROUGH THE FLOOD OF STARVING PEOPLE,
WARRING FACTIONS AND DESPAIR,
WHO WILL LIFT THE OLIVE BRANCHES?
WHO WILL LIGHT THE FLAME OF CARE?

GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER,
NOW AND EVERMORE.

AS WE STAND A WORLD DIVIDED
BY OUR OWN SELF-SEEKING SCHEMES,
GRANT THAT WE, YOUR GLOBAL VILLAGE,
MIGHT ENVISION WIDER DREAMS.

GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER,
NOW AND EVERMORE. 

-SCRIPTURE-
Matthew 2: 10-11 (CEB) 

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling on their knees, they honored him.

-SERMON-
“We Need THAT Kind of Epiphany”
Kenny Bishop

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Come and Find the Quiet Center” 

COME AND FIND THE QUIET CENTER
IN THE CROWDED LIFE WE LEAD.
FIND THE ROOM FOR HOPE TO ENTER,
FIND THE FRAME WHERE WE ARE FREED:
CLEAR THE CHAOS AND THE CLUTTER,
CLEAR OUR EYES THAT WE CAN SEE
ALL THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER,
BE AT PEACE AND SIMPLY BE.

-SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS-

-PASTORAL PRAYER-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"The Open Table” 

 COME, OH COME, COME TO THE TABLE.
GATHER ‘ROUND, COME WITHOUT FEAR.
KNOWN BY NAME HERE AT THE TABLE, THIS TABLE;
WELCOME HERE, TO THE TABLE OF LOVE.

CIRCLE ‘ROUND, LET’S JOIN TOGETHER.
SHARE YOUR JOYS, AND BRING YOUR TEARS.
STRENGTH AND HOPE FOUND AT THE TABLE, THIS TABLE;
WELCOME HERE, TO THE TABLE OF LOVE.

GOD IS LOVE; LOVE IS CREATING
SOMETHING NEW, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
WE’RE CHILDREN OF GOD, HERE AT THE TABLE, THIS TABLE;
WELCOME HERE, TO THE TABLE OF LOVE. 

-COMMUNION-
“Lord, I Need You” – arr. M. Hayes

-OFFERING-

-THANKS TO THOSE WHO SERVE-

-ANNOUNCEMENTS-

-INVITATION TO RESPOND-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"For All the Children” 

GOD, WE GATHER AS YOUR PEOPLE
TO RAISE OUR SONG ABOVE,
AND WE DARE TO CLAIM THE PROMISE OF YOUR LOVE,
THOUGH THE DAY MAY NOT YET BE HERE,
WE TRUST IT SOON WILL BE,
WHEN YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE FREE.

O, MAY OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE OPENED,
FLING THE CHURCH DOORS OPEN WIDE.
MAY THERE BE ROOM ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE INSIDE.
FOR IN GOD THERE IS A WELCOME,
IN GOD WE ALL BELONG.
MAY THAT WELCOME BE OUR SONG.

GOD, WE SING FOR ALL THE CHILDREN,
THAT ONE DAY THEY BE FREE;
AND WE SING FOR GENERATIONS YET TO BE,
THAT THEY NEVER HAVE A REASON
TO DOUBT THAT THEY ARE BLESSED.
MAY THEY, IN YOUR LOVE, FIND REST.

GOD, WE PRAY FOR ALL THE YOUNG LIVES
CUT SHORT BY FEAR AND SHAME
SO AFRAID OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHOM THEY LOVE.
MAY THE MESSAGE NOW BE BANISHED
THAT YOUR LOVE IS FOR THE FEW,
MAY THEIR FAITH IN YOU RENEW.

O, MAY OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE OPENED,
FLING THE CHURCH DOORS OPEN WIDE.
MAY THERE BE ROOM ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE INSIDE.
FOR IN GOD THERE IS A WELCOME,
IN GOD WE ALL BELONG.
MAY THAT WELCOME BE OUR SONG. 

-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"For All the Children” 

O, MAY OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE OPENED,
FLING THE CHURCH DOORS OPEN WIDE.
MAY THERE BE ROOM ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE INSIDE.
FOR IN GOD THERE IS A WELCOME,
IN GOD WE ALL BELONG.
MAY THAT WELCOME BE OUR SONG.

. . . . . . . . . .  

-THE TEAM-

ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner,  Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood

BUILDING CARE: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson

FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Kathy Lyons, Steve Melton, Barry Thompson, Seth Tuska

NURSERY: Linda Netherton

PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner

PROPERTY CARE: West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste

SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson

SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Margaret McGladrey, Chris Cook

TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Dale Hamilton,  Morgan Hamilton, Timmy Smallwood