Smithville United Methodist Church
PO Box 293, 505 N Hwy 169
Smithville, MO 64089
816-532-3200
Celebrating Life through Divine Worship
First Sunday after the Epiphany
January 8, 2012
The time of centering:
It is easy to think Christmas, and it is easy to believe Christmas, but it is hard to act Christmas . . . . . “The birth of Christ made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it”… a new Light to shine on our path. (Frederick Buechner, adapted)
PRELUDE Worship begins as the chimes sound
ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT
INVOCATION
God of all the worlds that are: Like the wise men coming from far away, we would see that guiding star. We would follow them while they follow its light to the manger. There lies the little boy whom you appointed as bearer of your compassion. May the brightness of your Son illumine our path as we strive to live as children of the light. Enlighten our worship and bless us with peace this day. Amen.
WELCOME
PRAISE SONGS "Thy Word is a Lamp" & "Lead Me, Guide Me"
CALL TO WORSHIP
LEADER: Although the beckoning star heeded by the wise travelers long ago no longer leads the way,
PEOPLE: The manger-born Christ is still to be found and followed.
LEADER: We are not brought to our knees in surprise as were those journeyers of old,
PEOPLE: Yet our desire to worship can be a deep as theirs.
LEADER: And though we do not bear gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
PEOPLE: We offer ourselves and what we have.
LEADER: The story continues. The good news abounds. There is a living Christ to discover and worship and serve.
ALL: Let us rejoice and be glad!
CHILDREN’S SERMON
TIME OF PRAYER
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
SPECIAL MUSIC “We Three Kings” Olen, Lee and Scott
OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING
Offering
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
HYMN OF PREPARATION "He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought"
V1,2,3 128
SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17
SERMON “A New Path”
UNISON PRAYER
God of our lives: In the midst of distractions, worries, fears, remind us to look up and to keep looking up in hope. We thank you for the wisdom of the wise men, who were paying close attention to the heavenly bodies and thus did not miss that odd little star with its good news. We praise you for their wisdom and courage to take a new path. God, help us as members of your church in this place to stay alert to your word, wherever it may sound forth. Grant us courage to follow the light of any star you may have placed in our personal firmaments. Grant us strength to follow your new paths. We hail you as children of light in the name of him who is the Light of the World. Amen.
*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"
127 (V1&2)
TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
May the wisdom of the wise men set you in motion on a quest of God’s ever-newborn Son. May their gifts inspire in you a spirit of giving and self-giving – not just in this season but all the days of your life. May your pilgrim trek be lighted, like theirs, by a special star – to keep you going when you are weary and to assure you that God is with you, always. Go forth and follow new paths of love, peace, hope, joy and service. Amen.
POSTLUDE
Please pray for: Ron Mast family, Cora Borgmier, Lou Petersen, Carol White, Barb Kravec, Roger and Nona Steinbrink, Charlene Gager's mother, Maxine Douglas' great-granddaughter and for all the people that are having medical or surgical worries.
The memorial book is opened in loving memory of Estel Kerr
Altar flowers in honor of Bob and Winona Lee's 50th Wedding Anniversary
Ushers for today, January 8th is the Denny Lowe family.
I will be in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday late afternoon and Wednesday morning for the next two weeks. Due to an appointment reschedule I will have to be in the boot until January 19th instead of the 12th.
2012 FLOWER CHART
The 2012 Altar flower chart is now available in the Great Room on the bulletin board on the east wall if you wish to sign up for flowers. Flowers are $12.00. Make your check out to SUMC. Please put “flowers” in the memo and drop in the collection or leave in the office. On the chart put your name and what the flowers are for (honor, memory, etc.). If you have any questions please see or call Lu Darr at 532-0106.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
There will be a Worship Team committee Sunday, January 8th at 11:30 am.
VISITATION TEAM MEETING
Sunday, January 8th at 3:00 pm there will be a Visitation team meeting.
UN-HANGING OF THE GREEN
On Monday evening, from 5 to 8 pm on Jan. 9th we will take down the Christmas decorations and store them for another year. Please come for a time of fun, fellowship and reflection. Bring a crock-pot of soup to share for our supper.
BLOOD DRIVE
The next Community Blood Center blood drive will be held in the meeting room by the cafeteria at St. Luke's Northland Hospital-Smithville campus on Monday, January 9th from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm. To make an appointment online go to: www.esavealifenow.org and use Sponsor Code: smithvillecomm. You may also contact JoAnne Lizar Rice at 816-532-0316
Prayer and Renewal is a small group that will meet once a month on the 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm. The first one will be January 17th. Please contact Sharon Fairlie if you have any questions or to sign up for the group.
