United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street • Cadillac, Michigan

Phone 775-5362 • Fax 775-6475


January 4, 2009

Epiphany Sunday

Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.


Ancient promises made good in the newborn babe.
And all of us invited to the gala now. Christ, you have touched us,
changed us forever. Let us shine like stars.


PRELUDE


BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST................................................by the Acolytes


WELCOME AND PARISH NOTES


CLIP BOARD MINISTRY FOR FEBRUARY


GATHERING WORDS

One:..We gather wondering, 'Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?'

All:.....We will find the Babe in the laughter of children,
…......in the wisdom of grandparents.

One:..We gather asking, 'where will we find the Child of Christmas?'

All:.....We will find the Child where the needy are gifted with hope,
…......where the oppressed are set free.

One:..We gather wanting to know, 'where will we find the Christ who has come …......for us?'

All:.....We will find our Hope where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
…......where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
…......where all people are overwhelmed by joy.

*OPENING HYMN...................................................................................................#219

What Child Is This?”


*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST


UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We search for your light, Star Caster, but too often end up settling for the dimness of temptation. Our motives for seeking to find Christ are not always pure, for we expect him to fulfill our desires, rather than your hopes for us. We want the gifts of wealth, health, success, fulfillment, rather than those of servanthood, of compassion, of peace.

Forgive us, Shaper of our lives, that we are so foolish to put our needs ahead of your grace. Help us to be like those wise people of so long ago, who found hope, instead of a destination; who found grace, instead of gratitude; who found salvation, instead of a sign. As we journey with Jesus, fill us with the light of your joy and love. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor:..Up, on your feet! Grace has been poured into our hearts, love has …..........flooded our souls, the light of hope shines in us.
All:........This is the light which has come to all, the light we will carry and give to ….........everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.


PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE


CHORAL ANTHEM.................................................................................Chancel Choir

They Had Joy” Arr. Tom Fettke


CHILDREN’S TIME


SCRIPTURE READING..................................................................................N.T. pg.2

Matthew 2:1-23


MESSAGE............................................................................................Pastor Tom Ball

The Worldly Wise Men Meet The Soon-To-Be Worldly Jesus”


OFFERTORY INVITATION


PRESENTING OUR GIFTS TO GOD


ORGAN OFFERTORY


*DOXOLOGY............................................................................................Tune: Old 100th

O God, may we who bear your name

by gentle love your grace proclaim,

Christ’s gift of peace on earth declare

and your anointing Spirit share. Amen.


*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)

Instead of gold and frankincense and myrrh, we bring to you, O God, the treasures you have first given to us - our hearts, minds and bodies, to be used in your service. We offer these gifts - of money and our lives - as signs of our total giving, praying that they will be used to herald the coming of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table


A Great Thanksgiving for Epiphany


Pastor:..People of Advent: the Lord be with you!

All:......And also with you!

Pastor: ..People of Christmas, lift up your hearts.

All:......We lift our hearts overwhelmed with grace
…........to the One who was born for us.

Pastor: ..People of the Star, offer your songs of joy and thanksgiving to God.

All:......We will sing our praises to the One who has revealed glory …........and hope in the Babe of Bethlehem.


We give you thanks, O God,
for making your love evident
since the very beginning of time
when you spoke the word

which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light.

A light which has nurtured generations of people,

and plants and creatures, great and small.

A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness

caused by corrupt and evil actions.
And so you spoke the Word
which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives.
Through your love for the world the Word
became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth.
The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens
and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them

and with all people to praise your holy name:


All:......Holy Lord, God of endless love,

........heaven and earth are surely full of your glory.

........The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it.

........Blessed is One who was born that we might have life.

........Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us.

For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us.


On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the

table and broke bread with his friends, he said:

‘‘Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you.

Remember me each time you do this.’’
After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said:

‘‘Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life,

poured out for you - the beginning of a new relationship

with God.’’

Holy One, send down your Spirit of hope

upon those gathered around this Table,

and on the gifts of the bread and the cup,

that they might make us
your faithful and loving children.
Feed us with the bread of hope,

that when we leave,

we will travel another road,

to defend the weak,

to speak for the voiceless,

to assist those cast aside.
Refresh us with the sweet nectar of grace,

so we, overwhelmed with joy, would go forth

to enter the houses of the strangers in our midst;

to enter the despair of the lonely and forgotten;

to enter the hearts of everyone we meet.

As Jesus taught the disciples of old, so now we pray

Our Father . . .


SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP


Holy Communion will be served by intinction. You will receive

a piece of bread which can be dipped into the cup and received. Please come by the center aisle and return by the side aisle.


PRAYER OF THANKS (in unison)

Lord God, the bright splendor whom the nations seek:
may we who with the Magi have been drawn by your light
discern the glory of your presence in your Son,
the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN...................................................................................................#254

We Three Kings”


*COMMISSION AND BLESSING

*POSTLUDE


*All who are able, please stand.


One of our Parish Nurses will be available in the Church Library next Sunday morning, January 11 beginning at 9:30 a.m. to check your Blood Pressure or to answer any health questions you may have regarding a health issue. You are invited to stop in.


Sunday Volunteer Ministry, January 11, 2009

Organist/Pianist: Virginia Pulford

Acolyte: 11:00 a.m. - Carissa Mitchell & Ethan Myers

Nursery: Gary & Alice Silvers

Sermontime: Kelly Ball

Coffee Hour: 8:30 - Open

11: 00 - Open

Power Point: Open

Greeters and Ushers 8:30 a.m. - Open

Greeters 11:00 a.m. - Open

Ushers 11:00 a.m. - Open


Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, January 4 - Epiphany Sunday

Coffee Hour Follows Both Worship Services

8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship

9:30 a.m. - Church School

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship


Monday - January 5

7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts in Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, January 6

7:15 a.m. - Prayer Group

7:15 p.m. - Missions Committee

Wednesday, January 7

8:30 - 10:30 a.m. - ICC in Corbin Room

6:30 p.m. - Staff Parish Relations

7:30 - Chancel Choir practice

Thursday, January 8

9:00 a.m. - Wesley Fellowship @ Big Boy’s

11:30 a.m. - Prayer Meeting

Noon - Project Christmas Follow-up Meeting in Corbin Room

2:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Grief Support in Wesley Room

6:30 p.m. - Grow Group in Wesley Room

Friday, January 9

9:30 p.m. - Ski Trip Overnight Lodging for Boy Scout Troop #35


Sunday, January 11 - The Baptism of Our Lord

Coffee Hour Follows Both Worship Services

8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship

9:30 a.m. - Church School

9:30 a.m. - Blood Pressure Clinic

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship


Wesley Fellowship will meet for Breakfast at the Big Boy Restaurant on Thursday, January 8 at 9:00a.m.. All are welcome and invited to attend. Questions or for more information, call Tom and Dorothy Dean. See you there!


Thank you all for your cards, expressions of concern and prayers. They have been a great source of encouragement as I recuperate from major heart surgery. I miss everyone and look forward to returning soon. Love, Pat Davis


The 2009 Flower Chart is available on the bulletin board in the office hallway. You may sign-up to honor or remember a person (s) or special occasion. The flowers are $15 - simply remit through your regular offering envelope or a pew envelop.


If you are leaving for a warmer climate, please notify the Church Office at 775-5362 with your leaving and returning dates and forwarding instructions. This helps to alleviate postage due charges for the church. Thanks so very much!!


The 12 week winter sexual abuse support group called "Grow Group" will begin Thursday, January 8, and will meet every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church in the Wesley room. All classes are confidential. Men and women of all ages are welcome. If you have a friend or relative who needs help, bring them. With God's help we can heal, and live the life we were created to live. All facilitators have experienced sexual abuse and are trained to help others begin the healing process. Decide to make 2009 a better and healthier year. To register call Teri Fall at 231- 743-6213, cell 231- 388-1461. Please pass the word. Don't let shame keep you away. The sexual abuse was not your fault. Let the healing begin!


Today’s Worship Ministry . . .

Liturgist : Judy Coffey

Organist/Pianist: Virginia Pulford

Acolytes: 11:00 a.m. - Collin Hinkston

Nursery: Kathy Green

Sermontime: Jeff & Laura Marion

Coffee Hour: 8:30 - Open

11:00 - Carol and Dick Jones

Power Point: Create & 8:30 - Laurie Kinney

11:00 - Jeff Hinkston

Greeters/Ushers 8:30 a.m - Open

Greeters 11:00 a.m. - Open

Ushers 11:00 a.m. - Open


The Flowers on the Lord’s Table are given

In Honor of The 50th Wedding Anniversary

of Dick & Carol Jones


Join Dick and Carol Jones during the Coffee Hour following the 11:00 worship service TODAY for a celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Blessings on this special occasion!!


The next Equal Exchange Coffee (decaf and regular) Sale will be held TODAY following both worship services. Please note that this will be the last Equal Exchange Coffee Sale until Easter Sunday, April 12.


Year-end giving statements for 2008 are available for pickup today in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in electronic giving, application forms are available on the table. If you have any questions or find any errors on your statement, please contact financial secretary, Dan Kinney, or leave a message at the church office.