Pine Street Presbyterian Church
in the City of Harrisburg
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
January 4, 2026
P
RAYER OF PREPARATION
Epiphany of the Lord
Jesus of the guiding star, defender of the defenseless, let us revere no human leader, bow down to no king but you, who relinquished your crown to live among your people. As we seek you, illuminate our way until we realize your guiding light shining out of every face we meet and proceed to worship you by loving them. Amen.
G ATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
RINGING OF THE CARILLON
SALUTATION
One: Arise, shine; for your light has come!
Many: The glory of God has risen upon us.
VOLUNTARY Go Tell It on the Mountain Robert Lau
(Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
† CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The glory of God has now appeared
Many: through Christ our light, in flesh.
One: The reign of God has now arrived
Many: through Christ our king, our eternal ruler.
One: The mystery of God has been revealed
Many: through Christ our peace, ever reconciling.
One: With the stars to lead us, and the magi to teach us,
Many: we come, bringing our gifts to worship God. Amen.
† Those able are invited to stand. Bold text is read or sung by all
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy Refugee of Israel, we would like to believe that we would be like the magi, that we would protect the innocent child, that we would stand up to power. But too often we have turned away from those who need us. Too often we have bent to the powers that be, resigning ourselves to the way it has always been. Forgive our lack of action, guide us back to your purposes, and help us be brave enough to do your will.
SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
KYRIE
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: God calls to us from wherever we are.
Many: God’s love shines like a beacon.
One: God’s voice echoes in our souls, telling us: Many: we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
† GLORIA GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6
One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.
Old Testament Page 660
† HYMN 149 All Hail to God’s Anointed ROCKPORT
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:1-12
THIRD LESSON Matthew 2:1-12
New Testament Page 193
New Testament Page 2
SERMON ”Your First Warning” The Rev. Seelman
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from the PC(USA) Brief Statement of Faith
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
† THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Many: And also with you.
WELCOME AND PARISH LIFE
(Please sign the Friendship Register)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
ANTHEM Let Us Break Bread Together Christopher Ruck
Let us break bread together on our knees, let us break bread together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees, let us drink wine together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us praise God together on our knees, let us praise God together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me.
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SEALINGTHE WORD
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
… who forever sing to the glory of your name:
The prayer continues.
… dedicated to your service:
I
NTERCESSION
, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION
One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.
… now and forever.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP
One: The gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the feast.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE WORLD
† HYMN 147 The First Nowell THE FIRST NOWELL
† BENEDICTION
† CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
VOLUNTARY In Dulci Jubilo
J. S. Bach
L EADING IN W ORSHIP T ODAY
The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor
David Binkley, guest organist
Pam Bauer, Lector
Amy Chick, Liturgist
Sunday,January4
9:00 am- Café Conversations
9:00 am- Faith Formation
The Chancel Choir
Chris Earhart, baritone
Maddie Felix, piano
DATESFOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday,January11
9:00 am- Café Conversations
9:00 am- Faith Formation
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
11:30 am- Stephen Ministry Supervision
11:30am- Lector/Liturgist Training
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
11:30 am- Deacon Meeting
4pm- MAPS Concert (Pianist Talon Smith)
C OPYRIGHT N OTICE
Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net # A-743343. All rights reserved. Liturgy was reprinted and adapted with permission from Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion copyright 2013, and from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.
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