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January 4, 2008
Epiphany
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Focus: Through the darkness that covers all the
earth, God's light goes out to all nations. All peoples will reflect God's
face as they come to the light and become radiant.
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Gathering
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Prelude
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Welcome and Announcements
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Lighting the God Candle
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Call to Worship
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Leader
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Arise, shine, for your light has come.
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People
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It's been dark for
so long,
the kind of
darkness you can feel in your bones.
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Leader
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But now the light has come.
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People
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God's glorious
light is rising over our heads.
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Leader
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Open your eyes and let them adjust to this new
reality.
God is illuminating the landscape and now we begin to see
God's goodness.
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People
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The light is moving
out across boundaries and barriers, filling the whole earth.
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All
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The light of Christ is a light to all
peoples.
We rejoice in God's justice and mercy made
visible among us.
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Song
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16
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God is here among us
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Opening Prayer
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Song
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218
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As with gladness men
of old
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Confessing
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Prayer of Confession
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Song
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204
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Gloria
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Praising
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First Scripture Reading
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Isaiah 60:1-6
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Tithes and Offerings
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Pass concerns and praises
toward the center for collection after the offering.
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Children's Story
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Jeanette Harder
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Songs of Praise
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216
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Christ, whose glory
fills the skies
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My soul cries out
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Younger children are dismissed to the nursery.
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Hearing God's
Word
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Second Scripture Reading
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Matthew 2:1-12
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Sermon
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Worshipped by Magi
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Responding to
the Word
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Song
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220
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Worship the Lord in
the beauty
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Song
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591 vs. 1 & refrain
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Lo, a gleam from
yonder
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Prayers of the Congregation
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Song
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591 vs. 1 & refrain
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Lo, a gleam from
yonder
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Sending
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Song
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434
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Thuma mina
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Sending
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Assisted listening devices
are available at the audiovisual desk.
Please stand and use a
microphone during announcements and sharing
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Worship Leader:
Anita Breckbill
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Music Leaders:
Harwood House
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Greeters: Marlin
& Betta Kym
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Drivers This Month:
Kevin & Lynnae Troyer
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Children's Story Next Week: Amanda Balzer
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Nursery Today: Brenda & Megan McLey
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Nursery Next Sunday:
Dave & Sheri Nitzsche
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Snacks Next Sunday:
OPEN
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Record
for December 28
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Attendance: 65
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Calendar
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Mon. Jan. 5, 7:35 pm
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Basketball Team A (Red) - Park
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Mon. Jan. 5, 7:35 pm
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Basketball Team B (Green) - Irving
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Wed. Jan 7, 7:00 pm
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Baptism Exploration Group
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Thurs. Jan. 8, 12:00 pm
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Women's Lunch - Spaghetti Works
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Sat. Jan. 10, 9:30,12:30
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"Baking with Betta" - church
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Sun. Jan. 11, 7:00 pm
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Baptism Exploration Group
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Wed. Jan. 14, 7:00 pm
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Annual Congregational Meeting
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Announcements
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WOMEN'S LUNCH - Women, you are all invited to a lunch this
Thursday, January 8 at 12:00 p.m. at Spaghetti Works (228 N. 12th). Our only agenda is food and good conversation. Join us!
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THANK YOU! - Thank you to First Mennonite Church for
supporting local families by investing your time and donations in Gifts of
Love. Through your support, families were able to have a wonderful
Christmas. Over 1,475 children received new gifts purchased by over 550
parents, and over 100 children who are enrolled in City Impact programs
purchased items for loved ones using earned vouchers. Thanks to all who gave
and volunteered!
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PRAYER SLIPS - Today we will not hold our regular sharing
time. Instead we will collect brief praises and concerns on prayer
slips included in the worship bulletins.
Complete your slips before or during the service. Pass them toward the center of the
sanctuary immediately after the offering.
They will be collected by the ushers at that time.
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JUNIOR YOUTH! - The Junior Youth Group (grades 6-8) will
meet on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. We will be
having an evening of fun & games and planning our next activity.
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VALENTINE INVITATION - Be watching your mailboxes
carefully in the next couple of weeks. There will be a special Valentine
invitation from the Junior Youth Group. You won't want to miss it!!
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BAKING WITH BETTA
- Betta Kym has agreed to share her zwiebach-baking talents with
us on Saturday, January 10 at First Mennonite Church. There will
be a morning session (beginning at 9:30) and an afternoon session (beginning
at 12:30). Anyone 11 years old and up is invited to attend.
Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board by the
kitchen. You should bring $2.00 (ingredient charge), 2 cookie sheets
and 1 large mixing bowl.
CONDOLENCES - We extend our sympathies to Gordon and
Rhonda Brubacher. Gordon's mother
passed away this week. Gordon and
Rhonda flew to Ontario on Friday.
Condolences also to Steve and Angela Nitzsche and Cecil
and Sharon Kennel on the deaths of Ruby and Mahlon Kennel, Cecil's uncle and
aunt, Angela's great uncle and aunt.
They died Monday in a car accident near Strang.
COMMUNION - Next Sunday we will mark the beginning of 2009
with the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - Our annual congregational meeting
to receive reports and act on the proposed 2009 budget will be held at 7:00
p.m. on Wednesday, January 14.
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