January 4, 2026

Jan 2

Written By Heath Nettles

Epiphany Sunday Worship + Holy Communion

January 4, 2026 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin

Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity

Prelude

Morning Has Broken arr. Greg Maroney

Welcome

Call to Worship

Arise, shine — for your light has come.
The glory of the Holy One rises upon us.

Darkness may linger in the world,
But God’s light cannot be extinguished.

Wise ones followed a star, trusting where it would lead.
We come ready to follow God’s light today.

Come, let us worship the God who reveals love, justice, and hope.
We come to worship, to listen, and to follow the light. Amen.

Hymn

Angels from the Realms of Glory UMH#220
Please sing stanzas 1, 3, 4

Reading from the Old Testament

Isaiah 60:1–6

Psalm of Response

Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14 UMH pp.796 & 796
Please sing Response 1

Solo

I Wonder as I Wander John Jacob Niles
Carol Kinsey

Reading from the Gospels

Matthew 2:1–12

Sermon

Following the Light We Are Given

Installation of New Leaders

Introduction
Presentation o f Leaders

I present to you these persons who have been chosen to serve as leaders in this congregation:

Members of the Council on Finance and Administration
Members of the Board of Trustees
Members of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Members of the Leadership Development / Nominations Committee

Questions to the Leaders

Dear friends,
You have been called to serve God and the church i n these roles.
Will you faithfully participate in the ministries o f this congregation by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness, so that God's love may be known in this community and beyond?

Leaders: I will, with God's help.

Will you carry out your responsibilities in a spirit of humility, collaboration, and faithfulness, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that you do?

Leaders: I will, with God's help.

Questions to the Congregation

People o f God, will you receive these leaders as servants of Christ, support them with your prayers and encouragement, and work together with them for the sake of the gospel?

People: We will, with God's help.

Prayer of Installation

Let us pray.
Holy and gracious God,
we give you thanks for calling these leaders to serve in your church.

Pour out your Holy Spirit upon them.
Grant them wisdom, patience, courage, and joy.
Help them lead with integrity, compassion, and faith.

Strengthen this congregation that together w e may follow the light of Christ and serve your purposes i n the world.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Reception of a New Member

Bryan Lyles: Transferring from Central United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia.

Introduction
Questions to the New Member

As a member o f Christ's universal church, will you be loyal to Christ through Mars Hill United Methodist Church and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

New Member: I will.

As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministriesby your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your

witness?

New Member: I will.

Questions to the Congregation

Members o f the household o f God,

I commend this person to your love and care.

Will you do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love?

People: We will.

Act of Welcome

All:

We welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant o support one another in discipleship and service.

Prayer o f Thanksgiving

Let us pray.
God of grace and new beginnings, we thank you for this new member and for the gifts they bring to this community.

Bind us together in love. Guide u s by your Spirit. And help us grow together as we follow the way of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Celebration of Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving and Communion

Musical Setting D UMH pp. 23-24

Holy and revealing God, we confess that we do not always follow your light.
We cling to familiar paths, resist change, and turn away when the journey feels uncertain.

We confess that fear sometimes guides us more than faith, that comfort can matter more to us than justice, and that we miss the holy moments unfolding around us.

Forgive us, O God. Reorient our hearts. Help us trust the light you place before us, even when we cannot yet see the whole way.
Amen.

Words of Assurance

Great Thanksgiving

Lord’s Prayer

Holy God,
Light beyond all light,
your name shines through all creation.

May your reign of love draw near.
May your justice and mercy take shape among us,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today the bread we need
for this journey —
food for our bodies,
hope for our spirits,
and courage for the road ahead.

Forgive us when we lose our way,
when fear dims our vision,
and when we turn from the light you offer.

As we forgive others
and choose grace over judgment.

Guide us when the path is unclear.
Protect us from the powers that harm,
and free us from all that keeps us from love.

For yours is the kin-dom,
the power that heals,
and the glory that shines in the darkness,
now and forever.

Amen.

Sharing of Bread and Cup/Distribution of Star Words

Thanksgiving after the meal

Breaking the Bread
Giving the Bread and Cup
The Prayer of Thanksgiving

Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part.
Yet what I can give him: give my heart.

Hymn

Go, Tell It on the Mountain UMH#251

Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light

Postlude

We Three Kings arr. Lynn Shaw Bailey