FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
January 7, 2024 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Melodie (8:30am)
Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), arr. Golofeev
Welcome
*Call to Worship (Psalm 100:1-2)
Leader: Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
People: Worship the Lord with gladness.
Leader: Come into God’s presence with singing!
People: Let us enter God’s courts with praise.
Leader: Let us worship God!
*Gathering Hymn 33 Praise the Lord! God’s Glories Show, Vs 1 (Llanfair)
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we many perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response To Thee, Great One in Three
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
14 For the Beauty of the Earth (Dix)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children . . . . . Sandy Prouty
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (8:30am)
arr. Adam Waite (b. 1978)
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (11:00am)
John Gardner (1917-2011)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Lord, open our hearts and our minds
by the power of your Holy Spirit,
that as the Scriptures are read
and your Word is proclaimed,
we may hear with joy
what you say to us today. Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Luke 2:22-40 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 51)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Three Prophets and a Baby
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
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.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate.
Communion Music
Adagio from Six Spanish Airs (8:30am)
Charles de Beriot (1802-1870)
At the River (11:00am)
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
127 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (We’ll Walk In The Light)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
Amen, from Magnificat
Gerald Finzi (1901-1956)
Postlude
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Ian Cummins and Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Conductor/Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Viola: Leah Kovach (8:30am)
Viola: Kostadin Dyulgerski (8:30am)
Reader: Eric Muller-Girard (8:30am)
Reader: David Harder (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
The civilians caught in the war in Israel/Palestine; Sean Barclay and family, mourning the deaths of Sean’s mother and father, Jane and Jim Barclay; The Bofenkamp and Damon families, mourning the loss of Christian Bofenkamp; Dennis Cole and family, mourning the death of Linda Marrou-Cole; The Cummins Family; Madie Gustafson; Roger Headrick; Steve House; Mateo; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; Scot Sandoval, son of Juanita Martinez; Lynne Severson; Rev. JeanAnne Swope, mourning the death of her husband, Rev. Jim Mechem; Peggy Walker and Arne Binion; Jewel Wegs; Janet Wolfer
Deaths
December 30 | Rev. James Mechem
Flower Donations
The flowers in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by The Phil Kepner Family in loving memory of Rev. Nancy J. Kepner.
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am – 12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:30am
Co-Pastors’ Forum
Location: Sanctuary
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
Confirmation
Location: Gallery Room
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Preschool and Second Floors
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
Be prayerful for our high school youth as they are on retreat this weekend at Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
We are so glad your family is worshiping with us today. We also know that sometimes children tire of being in worship. We have a space for those times directly below the sanctuary. You can follow the service on a large screen there while your children enjoy toys, books and space. The ushers can direct you!
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org