Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians: We GATHER with songs and prayer, We HEAR God’s word, We SHARE a meal of bread and wine, We are SENT into the world to love and serve. Let us know how this format works for you.
TODAY IS THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God’s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.
GATHERING SONG
“Bright and Glorious is the Sky”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty and ever-living God, you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Isaiah 60:1-6 Jerusalem is assured that nations will make a pilgrimage to her, because the light of God’s presence is in her midst. The bountiful food of the sea and the profits of international trade will come streaming to Jerusalem and thereby declare God’s praise.
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 All kings shall bow down before him. (Ps. 72:11)
Ephesians 3:1-12 What had been hidden from previous generations is now made known through the gospel ministry of Paul and others. In Christ both Jews and Gentiles participate in the richness of God’s promised salvation.
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL
Matthew 2:1-12 God’s promise shines bright in the night as magi follow a star to honor a new king. Strangers from a faraway land, they welcome the long-awaited messiah of Israel 
PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “How Many Magi Does it Take To…”
Perhaps this year, the Epiphany event, the coming of the magi, and the whole season of Epiphany, is a time we can take together to focus our own vision, and to tune our own ears, and to ready our own hearts, and to open up our own spirits – to the God who came to us in the Christ Child, and who comes to us again and again, reminding us of his love and welcome and mercy and grace.
We’re going to continue to talk about and think about that over the next several weeks. We’re going to ask, “Where do we see God at work in our midst, in our church, in our neighborhood? What’s God up to, and what is God calling us to join in in our community and city and beyond? Where and how are we experiencing God?”
So, how many magi does it take to get us alert and expectant and excited? Just like the answer to the question, “How many magi visited Jesus” my response is, I don’t know. But I know that the one true God, who has and continues to reveal himself to us in three persons, is always at work, always in our midst, and always eager for us to be open to seeing and experiencing and sharing this good news. Thanks be to God. Amen.
SONG OF THE DAY
“O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us pray for the Church, the world, and for all in need. Each petition will end “Lord in your mercy,” to which the congregational response is “Hear our prayer.”
Lord of Light, you revealed your glory in the coming of your Son, Jesu Christ, whom the Magi honored with gifts fit for a King, a Priest, and the Savior. Help us experience Christ’s light in our lives, and help us shine his light for others in all we say and do. Lord in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Lord of Love, you give us the gift of family, and friends, and this family of faith. Stir us to act always out of love towards one another. Help to learn to love all people. Inspire us to counter hateful language, attitudes and actions with loving resistance and the firm conviction that love overcomes hate. Lord in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Lord of Hope, we pray for all people according to their needs. Soothe the afflicted, comfort the distressed, and heal the sick. We pray for the people of Indonesia dealing with the aftermath of the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami. We remember all those impacted by local stroms last night. We lift to you our members and their loved ones who have asked for public prayers: Anna Bero, former member John Boyd, Fred Corwin, Linda Ernst, Phyllis Hahn, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Eileen Johnson, Priscilla Kanestrom, Wanda Nelson’s daughter Nyra and her granddaughter Kierra, Marlys Paulson, and Marilyn Van Brero. Bless Marlys, Erik and everyone who grieves the passing of John Paulson, whose Memorial Service will be held here on Saturday. Lord in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Hear our prayers, spoken and silent, that we commend to you this day, trusting in your abundant mercy, through Jesus Christ, our healer and our hope.
Amen.
COMMUNION SONG
“What Child is This”
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
WELCA BIBLE STUDY RESCHEDULED – January’s Circle Leaders’ Study has been changed to tomorrow at 10 am, in the Conference Room. Bring your “Gather” magazine, Bible, and note-taking needs.
JOHN PAULSON MEMORIAL – The congregation is invited to a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for John Paulson on Saturday at 2 pm, with a Dessert Reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Cards may be sent to Marlys and the family at 312 160th Place SE, Bellevue, 98008. If you are able to assist with the reception either by bringing a dessert or serving, please contact Gale Hill, chair of the Special Receptions Team, at ghill5250@gmail.com. Thank you.
COFFEE DONATIONS NEEDED – The Congregations for the Homeless Day Center and Emergency Shelter are serving 100 plus men a day and with the cold weather they are making a lot of coffee. We are collecting ground regular coffee in the Narthex on January 13, and cash donations to help CFH provide hot coffee for the men. Checks can be made to Cross of Christ with CFH Coffee Fund in the memo line. This is a Thrivent Action Team event.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, Norman Stromer, and Marilyn Van Brero,
LAST CALL FOR LOST & FOUND – It’s that time of year again when we clean out the Lost & Found drawer in Information Desk in the Narthex. There are lots of “misplaced” items there – water bottles, sunglasses, a mitten, a necklace, toys, and other treasures we hope find their way back to their rightful owner before the end of the year, when all remaining items are donated or recycled. Thank you.
UMBRELLA DONATIONS NEEDED – It’s rainy season, and over the years some of the umbrellas we keep in the Narthex as “loaners” have gone missing, and others have been damaged. Do you have a golf-style, larger canopy umbrella to donate, or might you be willing to purchase one for Cross of Christ? You may have also noticed our old umbrella stand finally fell apart. A new one has taken its place. Will you help us fill it? Thanks!
SENDING SONG
“Rise, Shine, You People!”
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God Grow in Faith Share the Gospel Serve others, and Welcome all. Thanks be to God!
