Forest Hill United Church'open doors, open hearts, open minds'

Epiphany SundayJanuary 3, 2016 at 10 am

"Carry us in your moonbeam. Guide our hearts withyour star. Carry us through the winds of change. Carry us to your son. Carry us..."

Carmel Boyle, Irish Singer-Songwriter"Carry Us"

WELCOME to worship! It is good that you are here. This morning, we finish our Christmas story with the arrival of the Magi to the scene. As we reflect on their journey to Bethlehem, guided by a star, we consider our own journeys through life. What is guiding our steps? Where is it that God is leading us? As we begin this new year together, we hope you find your time here to be inspirational and warm. After worship, please join us for a time of fellowship with coffee, tea, juice and cookies.

Our greeters this morning are Lorna McKnight and Joe Rideout,our tellers are William Hughes and Diane Robinson,

our hospitality host is Norma Reid,our Sunday School teachers are Jula Hughes

and Margie Roxborough,and our music is led by Deborah Park and the FHUC Choir.

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GatheringAt the **, you are asked to rise in body or in spirit.

Prelude: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J. S. Bach

Welcoming the Light

**Response: (Sung Together) Tune #59 MV

In the light, we gather now. In the light, we gather now.God's holy flame will ignite us somehow.

In the light, we gather now.Words by Ali Smith, 2016.

Welcome & Church News

Call to Worship:

One: We gather.All: We gather to celebrate the light.One: We gather to absorb the shine God puts in us.All: We gather to shine forth the light that is ours.One: We gather to light a path and enable a way.All: We gather to illuminate our scars and our strengths.Our: We gather to worship.

Adapted from David Lander in Gathering A/C/E 2015-16.

Gathering Prayer: (Spoken Together)

Holy One of Wisdom, God of the Epiphany Star,we come before you in search of peace, in search of new life,in search of the extraordinary.In this time of worship, we yearn to find you,like the Wise Ones of old.We have seen your star; we have heard rumours of your arrival, and we gather in anticipation and excitement as you reveal yourself to us. Amen.

By Nora Vedress in Gathering A/C/E 2015-16.

-2-Opening Hymn: I Saw Three Ships English Carol

1 - I saw three ships come sailing inon Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

I saw three ships come sailing inon Christmas Day in the morning.

2 - Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,

on Christmas Day in the morning?

3 - They sailed into Bethlehem...

4 - And all the bells on earth shall ring...

5 - And all the souls on earth shall sing...

6 - Then let us all rejoice again...

Exploring

Story Time: "And the Star Shone Brighter" by Martha Spong

Listening Song: Winter Star by Johnny Reid

Winter Star up in the sky looking down on earth tonight,how I wonder do you see the way your light has guided me.

For you were there when he was born on that first Christmas morn.You led three kings to Bethlehem and you still lead us to him.

You’re the light of love and peace,shining bright for the world to see.When the nights get cold and dark,

lead us home, Winter Star.

I remember as a child keeping warm by the fireand there you were up on the tree always watching over me.

-3-First Reading: The Visit of the Wise Ones

(Matthew 2:1-12 and #91 VU The First Nowell)

SUNG BY ALL: The first Nowell the angel did saywas to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,

in fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep,on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

One: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the East came to Jerusalem, asking:

All: "Where is the child who has been bornking of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."

SUNG BY ALL: They look-ed up and saw a star,shining in the east, beyond them far;and to the earth it gave great light,

and so it continued both day and night.

One: When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him:

All: "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is a shepherd my people Israel.'"

SUNG BY ALL: And by the light of that same starthree wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent,and to follow the star wherever it went.

One: Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learnedfrom them the exact time when the star had appeared.Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying,

continued-->

-4-All: "Go and search diligently for the child;

and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."

SUNG BY ALL: This star drew nigh to the northwesto'er Bethlehem it took its rest,

and there it did both stop and stay,right over the place where Je-sus lay.

One: When they heard the king, they set out; and there ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

All: When they saw the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.

SUNG BY ALL: Then entered in those wise men three,full reverently upon their knee,

and offered there in his pres-encetheir gold and myrrh and frankincense.

One: On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

All: Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

SUNG BY ALL: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,born is the King of Israel.

**Song of Praise: We Three Kings J.H. Hopkins

We three kings of Orient arebearing gifts we traverse afar.

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,following yonder star.

Refrain: O-o star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright.Westward leading, still proceeding guide us to thy perfect light.

-5-Born a King on Bethlehem's plain.Gold I bring to crown him again.

King forever, ceasing never,over us all to reign. Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I.Incense owns a deity nigh.

Prayer and praising, all men raising,worship him, God most high. Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume.Breathes of life of gathering gloom.Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Refrain

Words from Our Bible: Marilyn Lohnes

Psalm 72 - All Parts Page 790 VU (with Refrain)Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, for Your Light has Come

One: These are the words that bring us light.All: Thanks be to God!

Special Music: Brightest and Best by F. Mendelssohn

Reflection: "Wise Ones Still Seek Him"

**Hymn of Reflection: #55 VU In the Bleak Midwinter

ScatteringPresentation of Our Gifts

**Offering Verse: (Sung Together) #171 MV Refrain

Christ has no body now but yours,no hands but yours. Here on this earth,

yours is the work, to serve with the joy of compassion.

-6-**Prayer over the Gifts By Kate Crawford from Gathering A/C/E 2015-16

Prayers of the People From "the Light of Christ" on Liturgy Alive Website

**Closing Hymn: #81 VU As with Gladness Men of Old

**Sharing the Light

**Blessing By Neil Gaiman

**Choral Response: (Sung Together) #220 VU

Hope shines as the solitary star,faith is the inner light.

You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,and illumine the pathway home.

Postlude: Recessional on "St. Anne" by Gordon Young

OFFICE INFORMATION

(506) 455-0988 | foresthillunited.com

Administrative Assistant - Kris Yarych Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:45 - 3:45 pm

foresth.office@bellaliant.com

Minister - Rev. Ali SmithMondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays from 9 am - Noon

revalismith@gmail.com(506) 292-2369

For notices from the larger community, check out our bulletin boards or visit foresthillunited.com, clicking COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

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Church News

Epiphany Cafe - What are our Christmas gifts?Monday, January 11 from 7 - 8 pm

Just like with our Advent Cafe, you are invited to join us in the Parlour. Over coffee/tea, we will explore a question that will help us, with the

Wise Men, to reflect on Christmas.

COMING UP @ FHUC

Choir Practice Wednesday at 7:00 pm in the Choir Room

Quilt Group Mondays 10 am – Noon Upper Room

Forest Hill Book Club January 5th at 12 noon, Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

Storm Policy Reminder: In the event of a serious storm on a Sunday morning, a decision will be made by 8 a.m. as to whether a cancellation is necessary. If a service is cancelled, a message will be placed on the church answering machine, sent out via email, and passed on to CBC radio.

Ushers/Greeters needed for 2016: Please check your schedule to see if you are available for one or more Sundays to help out with set up and greeting our congregation on Sunday mornings. Signup sheet is on the back table. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. Many thanks. Lorna McKnight

Fair trade coffee, tea, sugar, and chocolate are available every Sunday here at Forest Hill. Make your selection and support the

outreach efforts of our congregation!

-8-Potential Scripture Readers are invited to see the new Date Chart and to indicate their availability for any particular Sunday. Please note the manner of indication given at the top of the Chart. New Readers are most welcome. A copy of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (which is the version of the “Pulpit Bible”) is available to loan for practice, with helpful instructions included. If you have questions, please talk with Patricia Powell (455-8602).

Campbell Soup Labels: We are once again collecting Campbell Soup Labels. Please slit the label near the seam on the can and put the entire label in the appropriate drawer of the white unit on the back windowsill. Unless someone else has something else to do with them, they will be donated to Bliss Carman Middle School to buy books for the library.

The Interchurch Refugee Committee (supported by Forest Hill) is looking at a possible two families of Syrian refugees coming in the next several months, with the possibility of more if the funds are available. We have a commitment from an anonymous donor for matching funds up to $6500. Donations should be made to Forest Hill and earmarked for Interchurch Refugee. We will send the money directly to the group and Forest Hill will issue the tax receipt.

To December 31st. Donations to the Refugee Council have totaled $6,915.80. Congratulations and Thank you very much.

The World Day of Prayer Planning Meeting - Monday, January 11, 2016 at 10:00AM at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton. This year the women of Cuba have prepared the World Day of Prayer. Any women of all denomination of faith are encourage to come to help plan for the World Day of Prayer which will be held in March 2016. For the Fredericton Women’s Inter-Church Council.

Just a friendly reminder that Forest Hill United Church is a scent-free environment. Strong scents, aftershave lotions and perfumes have an effect upon others with allergies and asthmatic problems. No scents make good sense.

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Minute for MissionLos Quinchos

Since the early 1990s, Mission & Service has partnered with Los Quinchos School in Managua, Nicaragua. Los Quinchos strives to rehabilitate and reintegrate street children through a wholistic, educational approach.

Mission & Service goes to support the ongoing quality breakfast and lunch program that is a significant contribution to children’s nutrition in the San Judas barrio.

About 900 students were expected to register in the day program this year. Three hundred of them receive full scholarships. Other primary students pay 20 córdobas per month (about $1); secondary students pay 85 córdobas (about $4). Afternoon students pay a higher fee (300 córdo-bas, or $15), which subsidizes other activities, such as additional staff, water, security, electricity, and so on. Salaries for 35 of the 45 teaching staff are paid by the government.

A number of United Church groups have visited Los Quinchos to see firsthand all the wonderful work our partner is able to achieve through our gifts for Mission & Service. Principal Luis Fariñas celebrates the ar-rival of these groups as a way to celebrate the partnership.

We are thankful for our Mission & Service gifts that support the min-istry of the Los Quinchos School, which feeds and supports street chil-dren in Nicaragua’s capital city, Managua!

Please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith.

Loving God, we are called to be your colours in the world, to walk with each other, to share in love through our gifts for Mission & Service.

Guide us to shine brightly in the world. Amen

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