OF OUR LORD EPIPHANY - January 9, 2022 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church
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EPIPHANY
OF OUR LORD
January 9, 2022
ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
2
WELCOME TO ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
We are happy you have joined us for worship today. Wherever you are on your journey with or
toward God, you are welcome here—you are a blessing to this assembly.
We welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes
all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or
relationship status. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health,
imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. Our unity
is in Christ.
Lutherans believe, teach, and confess that in, with, and under the bread and wine in Holy
Communion we receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the
forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation. All who are drawn in faith are welcome to join in this
confession and receive the Sacrament.
We invite and encourage your full participation in our worship this morning. With this service
bulletin you can follow and participate in this morning’s liturgy.
New to St. Paul? Ready to make it your own? Questions about St. Paul, including transferring
membership from another Lutheran church, or for beginning the process for baptism,
confirmation, reception, or transferring from one of the other Christian traditions, may be
directed to the Church Office at 781-646-7773 or parishadmin@stpaularlington.org.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
The following guidelines are in place to keep all of us safe and healthy. Thank you for your
cooperation in showing love to our neighbors. Adjustments will be made as needed moving
forward.
Masks: Everyone (except children age 2 and under) are required to wear a face covering.
Physical Distancing: Maintain physical distancing (six feet or more) between households while
inside the building. Do not congest or linger in hallways. Offerings may be left in the Narthex.
At the end of the service, you will be dismissed row by row, from both the front and the back.
Please remain seated during the postlude and follow the directions of the clergy and ushers.
Ventilation: Windows will remain open while the building is in use. As colder weather
approaches, please remember to dress warmly. Coffee Hour will be held outdoors after the
10:30am service.
Singing: Masked, fully vaccinated attendees are welcome to sing at the 10:30am service only.
The 8:15am service will be a spoken service with no singing.
More details about our Covid-19 Protocols can be found on our website.
3As we prepare for God’s presence in worship, please be aware that some prefer to be quiet at this time.
When the instruction for standing * appears, please stand as you are able and as seems comfortable.
At the ☩, you may make the sign of the cross, which reminds us of our baptism.
The congregational responses are printed in bold.
GATHERING
PRELUDE
Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 192 Dietrich Buxtehude
(1637–1707)
WELCOME
* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who sends the word with angels, who is made flesh
among all peoples, and who breathes peace on all the earth.
Amen.
In Christ, we are bold to name our sin and cry out for peace.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy God,
we confess our sin before you. We replace compassion with competition. We seek what is
mighty while ignoring the meek. We are quick to anger but slow to forgive. We have not
put on love in harmony with you. Wrap us in the grace of your powerful Word. Swaddle
our hearts with your peace, that all we do, in word or deed, may reflect your love born
among us. Amen.
I bring you good news of great joy for all people: God has come among us in the child born
of Mary, Christ the Lord. ☩ In Christ your sins are forgiven and you are clothed in peace.
Amen.
4* GATHERING HYMN
“As with Gladness Men of Old” ELW 302
* GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
And also with you.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us
now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of
your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
5WORD
FIRST READING Isaiah 60:1–6
A rise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For
darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise
upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to
the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons
shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then
you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the
sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of
camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall
come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 72:1–7, 10–14
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king’s son;
that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice;
that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
Let him defend the needy among the people, rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor.
May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.
Let him come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth.
In his time may the righteous flourish; and let there be an abundance of peace till the moon
shall be no more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles pay tribute, and the kings of Sheba and
Seba offer gifts.
May all kings bow down before him, and all the nations do him service.
For the king delivers the poor who cry out in distress, the oppressed, and those who have
no helper.
He has compassion on the lowly and poor, and preserves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their lives, and precious is their blood in his
sight.
SECOND READING at 10:30am Ephesians 3:1–12
T his is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me
for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a
few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery
of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has
now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have
become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus
through the gospel.
6Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given
me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace
was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to
make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all
things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made
known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the
eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to
God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
* GOSPEL ACCLAMATION at 10:30am ELW 169
* GOSPEL Matthew 2:1–12
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
I n 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 gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S TIME and CHALKING OF THE DOOR at 10:30am Pastor Liz Senft
7SERMON Pastor Liz Senft
* HYMN OF THE DAY
“We Three Kings”
Three kings from the Ea - st we are;
* APOSTLES’ CREED
In response to the gospel, let us confess the faith of the church:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and
was buried; he descended into hell. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into
heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
8* PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Joining our voices with the heavenly host and Christians throughout time and space, let us pray
for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
God of wanderers, you sent the magi from afar to witness the mystery and majesty of your birth.
Send us into the world with your will in our hearts and on our lips. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You created heaven and earth. Through your Spirit, send your all-encompassing love over the
cosmos. Bless the stars that guide our way and the night sky that invites the earth into slumber.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You sent the magi to follow the star into an uncertain future. May all leaders and peoples seek
your face, especially when paths are not clear, conflicts rage, tyrants oppress, and fears abound.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You sent your Spirit to dwell with Paul in prison. Send your Spirit to those who are imprisoned
and enslaved. Give courage and wisdom for building roads that lead to justice and freedom.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You protect us through the fires and troubled waters of this life. Assure us that we will not be cut
off from you by illness or despair, anxiety or pain, confusion or weakness. Comfort all who are
in need, especially Anne-Louise, Beverly, Dan, Ed, Elna, Heikki, Janna, Jeff, Jeffrey, John, John,
Kip, Lois, Lorraine, Lynn, Meredith, Paul, and Phyllis. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You sent the holy family to seek safety in a new land. Protect all who make similar journeys.
Send your guiding Spirit to asylum seekers, refugees, and all who journey toward safety.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Your glory is shown to the saints. We give thanks for those whose earthly journey has ended and
now dwell with you forever. Give us signs of your continual presence until that day when we
arise in you. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Rejoicing in your Word made flesh among us, we commend these prayers to you, confident of
your grace and love made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
9* PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
MEAL
* OFFERING PRAYER
Gracious God, your Word-made-flesh brings harmony to the earth. As we offer ourselves
and these your gifts, prepare us to receive the grace and truth you offer at this table and
renew in us the song of your salvation, in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
* GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give
thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In
the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new
and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to
love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on
earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the
highest.
Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God. The universe declares your praise:
beyond the stars, beneath the sea, within each cell, with every breath.
We praise you, O God.
Generations bless your faithfulness: through the water, by night and day, across the
wilderness, out of exile, into the future.
We praise you, O God.
We give you thanks for your dear Son: at the heart of human life, near to those who suffer,
beside the sinner, among the poor, with us now.
We praise you, O God.
In 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
10all 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.
Remembering his love for us on the way, at the table, and to the end, we proclaim the
mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We pray for the gift of your Spirit: in our gathering, within this meal, among your people,
throughout the world. Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus,
by your Spirit, in your church, without end.
Amen.
* LORD’S PRAYER
Feel free to say this prayer in the language in which you first learned it, or in one of these translations:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, hallowed be your name,
thy kingdom come, your kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; Give us today our daily bread.
and forgive us our trespasses, Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those as we forgive those
who trespass against us; who sin against us.
and lead us not into temptation, Save us from the time of trial
but deliver us from evil. and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, For the kingdom, the power,
and the power, and the glory, and the glory are yours,
forever and ever. Amen. now and forever. Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (said by online attendees)
Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength. I believe that
you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and since I cannot at this time receive
communion, I pray that you come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself with you and
embrace you with all my heart, soul, and mind. Let nothing separate me from you until,
by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom of unending peace. Amen.
COMMUNION
All are welcome to receive the bread and wine. An usher will collect your cups.
* TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his
grace.
Amen.
11* PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank you, wondrous God, for Jesus, God with us, in these gifts of bread and wine. As
we have shared this feast of love, strengthen us to share your love with all the world. In
Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
SENDING
* BLESSING
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
12* SENDING HYMN
“Brightest and Best of the Stars” ELW 303
* DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Rejoice in Christ our Savior.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Vidimus stellam ejus in Oriente Gerald Near
(b. 1942)
1314
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Below are highlights from our announcements this week. For more information, please see our
Weekly Update email. You can subscribe from our website (stpaularlington.org—click SUBSCRIBE in
the navigation menu at the top of the page) or like us on Facebook! Please send announcements via email
to parishadmin@stpaularlington.org by noon on Wednesday for inclusion in the coming Sunday’s
bulletin. Announcements received after that will be published the following week.
Education Hour Updates: Sunday School is postponed for the duration of January due to the
Covid-19 surge. We hope to return in February. Confirmation will occur in-person with the
option to participate virtually in January, resuming Sunday, January 16. Luther League for this
Sunday, January 9 is cancelled. Adult Forum will occur in-person as planned.
Adult Forum | Sundays at 9:15am in the Fellowship Hall
January 9 | Bible Study for Epiphany: The Magi Visitation with Pastor Liz
January 16 | MLK's Theology of Service, and an Introduction to Vicar Roger's Intern
Project with Vicar Roger
January 23 | Desmond Tutu and our Public Ministry in the Global Church with Clifford
Green
January 30 | To Be Announced
Millennial/Gen-Z Adult Fellowship Group | Meeting for the first time Saturday, January 15 at
5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. The game night will be BYOBG: Bring Your Own Board Games!
We will also have Uno, Connect 4, and Scrabble. There will also be Jackbox Games, starting at
6pm, with a remote option for those who are unable to attend in-person. Please RSVP to Vicar
Roger at stpaularlingtonvicar@gmail.com and indicate if you will be attending in-person or
virtually. Future meetings and events for the Millennial/Gen-Z Fellowship Group will also
feature childcare/CYF activities for those with children.
Acolyte Training | The Acolyte training has been postponed. More information forthcoming.
Our Whole Lives | We are proud once again to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a
comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curriculum for 8th-9th graders. This is open to the
community; if you have youth or know youth who’d like to participate, please see the Weekly
Update for a registration form. The parent meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January, 16.
15929 Concord Turnpike
Arlington, Massachusetts 02476
Web: www.stpaularlington.org | Office Phone: 781-646-7773
ST. PAUL STAFF
The Reverend Ross Goodman, Pastor
The Reverend Liz Senft, Pastoral Associate
W. Roger Randolph III, Vicar
Ryan Patten, Director of Music & Organist
Kourtni Patten, Director of Children, Youth, & Families
Toni Sacco, Interim Parish Administrator
Paul Ricci, Business Administrator
Dennis O’Brien, Church Property Manager
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Friday, 9am–3pm
Liturgical materials and visuals reproduced by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS003024.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Music reprinted under OneLicense #A-709763. All rights
reserved. Psalm reprinted from St. Martin’s Psalter by Thomas Pavlechko. Copyright © 2010 St. James Music Press.
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