Bulletin: December 31, 2023

EPIPHANY

December 31, 2023 | 11:00am

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Prelude       

Welcome

Call to Worship
Leader: The Star still beckons.
We follow the Light
that was before, is now, and ever will be.
People: The Star still beckons.
We seek the Light
that is God’s continuing gift.
Leader: We awake to the Light
in our world, emerging anew each day.
Let us stand as we are able to worship God.

*Gathering Hymn 
143  Angels, from the Realms of Glory  (Regent Square)

Scripture Reading
Matthew 2: 1-12  (Pew Bible New Testament Page 1)

Sermon
Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany
Rev. Amanda Osenga

The Feast of Epiphany imagines the journey of the Magi and what they experienced on the long walk to meet the newborn that would change the course of their lives. In this service, poetry and readings have been selected that illuminate these sacred steps, inviting us to reflect on the profound moments of revelations we encounter in our own life journeys.

Musical Reflection

RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE

First Revelation: Star of Bethlehem
Sandy Prouty
What incredible starlight has guided you thus far?  

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival. 

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor. 

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight. 

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in. 

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond. 

The Guest House by Jalaluddin Rumi 

Hymn 
135  There’s a Star in the East  (American Negro Spiritual)

This morning’s performance of “There’s a Star in the East” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. Congregants are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”). Contributions can also be made online at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.

Second Revelation: The Magi
George Moseley
How will you pay homage with your best/your broken self?  

It’s all I have to bring today— 
This, and my heart beside— 
This, and my heart, and all the fields— 
And all the meadows wide— 
Be sure you count—should I forget 
Some one the sum could tell— 
This, and my heart, and all the Bees 
Which in the Clover dwell.

It’s All I have to Bring Today by Emily Dickenson   

Hymn
151  We Three Kings of Orient Are, Verses 1-2, 5  (Kings of Orient)

Third Revelation: The Christ-Child
Rowan Glossy
Where have you encountered the sacred in the ordinary? 

The spirit
likes to dress up like this:
ten fingers,
ten toes,

shoulders, and all the rest
at night
in the black branches,
in the morning

in the blue branches
of the world.
It could float, of course,
but would rather

plumb rough matter.
Airy and shapeless thing,
it needs
the metaphor of the body,

lime and appetite,
the oceanic fluids;
it needs the body’s world,
instinct

and imagination
and the dark hug of time,
sweetness
and tangibility,

to be understood,
to be more than pure light
that burns
where no one is –

so it enters us –
in the morning
shines from brute comfort
like a stitch of lightning;

and at night
lights up the deep and wondrous
drownings of the body
like a star.” 

The Spirit Likes to Dress Up  by Mary Oliver 

Hymn  
145  What Child Is This  (Greensleeves)

Fourth Revelation: Unchartered Territory
Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Now that you’ve encountered love, where are you headed?  

Selected Readings from John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us

Hymn  
123  It Came Upon a Midnight Clear  (Carol)

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.

All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.