Order of Worship for Sunday, January 7th 2024

Leader: The Magi waited and watched, knowing something wondrous would be happening.
People: We waited for the birth of Jesus; now something wondrous is about to take root.

Leader: The darkness that invaded all lives was banished by the light of that star.
People: The darkness what surrounds us is gone!

Leader: Let us celebrate the bright shining of God's love in our lives.
People: Let us become those who will bring the light of God's love to others. AMEN.

Lord of living light, we hear the story of the Magi and tie it together with our warm Christmas celebration. It feels comfortable to us. Break those bonds of comfort and help us to realize the risk of witness and discipleship for those who follow your light. Shine brightly in us and through us. Forgive the blindness we so often offer to you. Give us vision of what you would have us be and do in the Light of Your Love. AMEN.

Light has come to you. Your light has come and it has erased the darkness. Now we can walk and work in the light. You are loved by God and called to God's service. AMEN.

God of this day and all days! We can only imagine the darkness of the world into which you sent your son—a world that believed that salvation rested on our ability to follow the rules. Jesus came to bring light into that darkness and into our darkness. As we bring our tithes and offering to you this day, transform them into light for the hungry, for the hopeless, for the forgotten, and for the oppressed. We will share his light in us! In Christ, we pray. Amen.