We Gather as God’s People peace which can conquer our fears, & flood us with faith;

peace which can enter our lives

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
CAROL We Three Kings UMH 254 vss. 1-2 and overwhelm us with hope. stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw
that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
CALL TO WORSHIP On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his
mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then,
We gather wondering,
‘Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?’
We Listen for God’s Word opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold,
We will find the Babe HEBREW SCRIPTURE Isaiah 60:1-5a frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream
not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by
in the laughter of children, in the wisdom of grandparents. Arise, shine; for your light has come,

another road.
We gather asking, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

‘where will we find the Child of Christmas?’ For darkness shall cover the earth,
 CAROL We Three Kings UMH 254 vss. 3-5
We’ll find the Child where the needy are gifted with hope, and thick darkness the peoples;

where the oppressed are set free. but the Lord will arise upon you,

We gather wanting to know, and his glory will appear over you.
 We Respond to God’s Word
‘where will we find the Christ who has come for us?’ Nations shall come to your light,

REFLECTION Magi Imagination
We will find our Hope and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
Lift up your eyes and look around;
 HYMN Carol of the Epiphany FWS 2094
where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
they all gather together, they come to you;

where all people are overwhelmed by joy.
your sons shall come from far away,
 WESLEY’S COVENANT SERVICE
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.

CAROL A Star Shone Bright W&S 3051
Then you shall see and be radiant;
 HYMN Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence UMH 626
PASSING THE PEACE your heart shall thrill and rejoice
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem OFFERTORY & DOXOLOGY
of Judea, some Magi, astrologer priests from the East, came to
CAROL Love Has Come W&S 3059
Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born COMMUNION FWS 2257
king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and
PRAYER OF CONFESSION have come to pay him homage.”
We have heard-
We have heard of your Grace, Shaper of stars;
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all
Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests
We Are Sent Into God’s World
from those set free from injustice; and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the ANNOUNCEMENTS
from our children who whisper of your joy; Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of
from greeters of dawn's fresh start; Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: BENEDICTION
from late risers who listen to the stories of the needy.
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, The earth gave you a cave,
We have heard-
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; the skies gave you a star,
We have heard of your Light, Bright Star of the morning: for from you shall come a ruler the angels gave you a song.
which can illumine the shadows of our lives; who is to shepherd my people Israel. At this feast we will give you our love.
which can show the path to God's heart;
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from The love that Mary gave her Son,
which can point the way
them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent may we give to the world.
to where we become servants of the gospel. them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the The love that you give us through your Son,
We have heard- child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may we give back to you. Amen!
We have heard of your Peace, Wisdom's Radiance: may also go and pay him homage.”
peace which can end war, as well as heal our hearts;
RESPONSE What Child Is This UMH 219 vs. 1
 Birthdays Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Jan 1: Linda Deming Jan 3: Claire Noble Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
Jan 7: Sherry Marcoux Jan 10: Marlene Hodgdon

Magi Imagination
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont.
Jan 11: Charlotte Evans
Arlitha Don Canady
Jan 12: Sandra Sinkewicz; Moses Cleveland
Callie Harley
Anne Kennison Michael Parker
Mary Willard Joyce Moore
Office Hours Norma Strickland Dorothy & Alex
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11:30 am Judy & Diezel Doug
Thursdays: Church Office 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Matthew C. Carolyn V, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Madeline
Elissa & Leif Natalie and Joseph B.
Greg
Calendar Paula DeMichele
Don Strickland
Mon, 6 Jan: Monday Companions at Eve’s, 7:00 pm
Ellie Uckele Lifted Up Last Sunday
Tue, 7 Jan: Mansfield Bible Study Resumes, 2:00 pm. Cole Kathryn - nephew was able to stand
Gordon Mitchinson Barb - Deirdre, whose father passed on
Wed, 8 Jan: The Bible Project (Animated Bible Study) Susan Christmas; for those who felt the loss of
resumes. Luke-Acts. 7:00 pm. Tim someone at Christmas
Mitch - traveling mercies for all
Sat, 11 Jan: Lay Speakers Meeting

Tue, 14 Jan: Mt. Mansfield Bible Study, 2 pm

Admin Board 7 pm

Wed, 15 Jan: Mission Team Meeting

Thurs, 16 Jan: Thursday Companions, 2 pm Essex Center Un-Tied Methodist Church

A Reconciling Congregation
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
Sat, 18 Jan: Food Shelf. Essex UMC in charge! www.essexumc.com

Tue, 21 Jan: Mansfield Bible Study, 2:00 pm. Co-Lay Leaders: Joshua Knox & Donna Paffrath
Trustees Mtg, 7 pm. Ministers: entire congregation Equipping Pastor: Mitchell Hay
cell/text: 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net Jan Richardson

Tue, 28 Jan: No Nest; Clergy Cluster Mtg, St. Albans 9 am Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen
Mansfield Bible Study, 2:00 pm. Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
4-7 Feb: Board of Ordained Ministry Interviews Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Bob McLane

Wed 26 Feb: Ash Wednesday; Lent Begins

Nursery Helper Jody H
Parent Helper: Dorothy B
next week: Gail G
next week: Danielle S
Essex Center
Pulpit and Altar Coverings - given in memory of
Greeters: Kristine E
Ushers: Dawn HF, Liz & David R
next week: Gail G
next week: Donna P and Paula P
Un-Tied Methodist Church
Peggy Thompson by Norm Thompson. 5 January 2020 Second Sunday of Christmas