In the past, all our Christmas banners and decorations just disappeared after Christmas. But this year we extended the season by planning a joint Epiphany hymn festival with the Ann Arbor Campus Chapel. It was a first for us but one I'm sure will become a tradition since it provided such an appropriate closure to the Christmas cycle.
For the candle-lighting, the two pastors lit their candles from the Christ candle, and then each proceeded down one of the aisles. The growing light gradually filled the sanctuary during the singing of "Light of the World."
—Charlotte Larsen
The Coming of the Light of the World
Prelude
Sinfonia from "Christmas Oratorio"
J. S. Bach
"Unto Us a Boy is Born" Young
"The Three Kings" Cornelius
Call to Worship
God's Greeting... and we greet one another
Hymn: "Once in Royal David's City" Alexander stanzas 1,2, 5
Prayer of Adoration and Illumination
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
Choral Response: "Shepherds' Farewell" Berlioz
Divine Epiphanies in the Life of Jesus Christ
The Magi
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Hymn: "Arise, Shine, for Your Light Is Come" Grotenhuis
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Choral Response: "Lovely Child, Holy Child" Berlioz
Jesus as a Child
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40
Hymn: "Song of Simeon" Bourgeois
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52
Hymn: "Once in Royal David's City" Alexander stanzas 3 4
The Baptism
Scripture Reading: John 1:29-34
Hymn: "Spirit, Working in Creation" Richards
Choosing the Disciples
Scripture Reading: John 1:35-42
Hymn: "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" Bonar stanzas 1, 3
Scripture Reading: John 1:43-51
Hymn: "Oh, I Know the Lord Laid His Hands on Me" Boatner
Offering
Offertory: "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" Cherwien
The First Miracle
Scripture Reading: John 2:1-11
Hymn: "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" Wordsworth
The Transfiguration
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36
Hymn: "Of the Father's Love Begotten" Prudentius
stanzas 1, 2: all
stanza 3: solo
stanza 4: choir
stanza 5: all
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:37-43
Hymn: "Come and Stand Amazed, You People" Hart and Grotenhuis
stanza 1: choir
stanzas 2, 3: all
You Are the Light of the World
Scripture Reading: John 8:12; Matthew 5:14
Candle Lighting
Duet: "Light of the World" Lee
A Time for Quiet Reflection
God's Blessing
Hymn: "As with Gladness Men of Old" Dix stanzas 1, 4, 5
Postlude: "How Lovely Shines the Morning Star" Manz
[Please remain seated for postlude]
