An Order of Worship for the Evening of the Epiphany
The Officiant greets the people with these words.
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
Officiant: If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. Psalm 139:10-11
Let us pray.
(Rev. John) Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Mo. Lou) O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.
(Rev. John) Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Mo. Lou) Collect for the Epiphany: O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn #128 We Three Kings
1. We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Chorus: O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign Chorus
3. Frankincense to offer have I: incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, gladly raising, worship him, God Most High. Chorus
4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a live of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb. Chorus
5. glorious now behold him arise, King of God and Sacrifice;
Heaven sings alleluia; alleluia the earth replies. Chorus
Psalm 72:1-7,10-14
1 Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son;
2 That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3 That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4 He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5 He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11 All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13 He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
Hymn #119 As With Gladness
1. As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light leading onward beaming bright
So most gracious Lord may we evermore be led to thee.
2. As with joyful steps they sped to the lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before him whom heaven and earth adore
So may we with willing feet ever seek the mercy seat.
3. As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare
So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ to thee our heavenly king.
4. Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way
And when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need to star to guide, where not clouds they glory hide.
5. In the heavenly country bright, need they no created light
Thou its light, its joy, its crown, thou its sun which goes not down.
There for ever may we sing alleluias to our King.
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12
In 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.
#78 O Little Town of Bethlehem
1. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie, above the deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light, the hopes and fear of all the years are met in thee tonight
2. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth and praises sing to God the King and peace to men on earth.
3. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given, so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
4. where children pure and happy pray to the blessed Christ, where misery cries out to thee, Son of the mother mild; where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door, the dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
5. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray, cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell, O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
The Apostles' Creed
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 power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers of the People for Epiphany
We pray for us, your faithful people, and those who lead us, that we may walk in your way of love and manifest your love to the world.
Shine your light on your Church, O Lord.
We pray for all the nations of the world, that those in authority will work toward peace and equity for all their people.
Shine your light on your Church, O Lord.
We pray for people everywhere, that their lives may be full, that their families may be secure, that their hearts be filled with your peace.
Shine your light on your Church, O Lord.
We pray for the community in which we live, that neighbors care for neighbors creating a truly caring community for all.
Shine your light on your Church, O Lord.
We pray for those who are suffering in ways that are known or hidden from us. We pray for those who struggle in this life and for those whose light is dimming. For those who are ill and those who care for them. For those who are born today and for those who will die. We pray especially for: (please add your own intercessions)
Shine your light on your Church, O Lord.
We pray for those who have been called into larger life with you, especially: (please add your own intercessions)
Shine your light on your Church, O Lord.
Deacon: Holy God, hear our prayers. Listen to the joy and loss and fear in our hearts. Help us to help one another because your love fills us. Amen.
Collect of the day: O God, by the leading of a star, you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: leas us, who know you now by faith to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all or your love's sake. Amen
Epiphany Blessing
May Almighty God, who led the wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also, in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. Amen
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon the Only-begotten at his baptism in the Jordan River, pour out that Spirit on you who have come to the waters of new birth. Amen
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts. Amen And the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen
Blessing and Dismissal
Mo. Lou: May the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you today and always.
Amen!
Deacon John: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God!
This Little Light of Mine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdsPbE9awKY
