BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH Worship Meaningfully; Grow Spiritually; Serve Purposefully; Share Fellowship; Witness Intentionally.

SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS/EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD January 4, 2015

GGATHERING

The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Word made flesh, the Lord and giver of life. Amen.

Let us come into the light of Christ, confessing our need for God's mercy.

The assembly kneels or stands. Silence is kept for reflection.

God of peace, we confess that we are not at peace - with others or with ourselves. We bring to you all that tears us apart: discord in our families, violence in our world, our own conflicted hearts. In your mercy, mend us. Reconnect us to one another and to you. Let peace reign over all the earth, through the Prince of peace, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

In the Word who has come to dwell with us, God has given us grace upon grace: forgiveness that is stronger than our sins, love that can heal every broken heart. Hear this word of God's pardon and peace: in the name of + Jesus our Savior, you are free from all your sins. Rise, shine, for your light has come. Amen.

The assembly stands.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Please use the prelude as a quiet time to prepare yourself for worship.

Let Our Gladness Have No End Hymn #291 GATHERING HYMN

GREETING Response: And also with you.

(continued)

Riu, Riu, Chiu We Three Kings

PRELUDE R. Lind

KYRIE

The assembly stands.

Response before Gospel: Glory to you, O Lord.

WORD

PRAYER OF THE DAY Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The assembly is seated.

FIRST LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 Holy Bible p. 2 (NT)

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SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:1-6 Holy Bible p. 205 (NT)

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

HYMN OF PRAISE Brightest and Best of the Stars (verses 1-3) Hymn #303

1. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant redeemer is laid.

2. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining; low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; angels adore him in slumber reclining, maker and monarch and savior of all.

3. What shall we give him, in costly devotion? Shall we bring incense and off'rings divine, gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?

FOLLOW THE STAR (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.) All children are invited to follow the star to the front of the Sanctuary and remain there for the Children’s Message.

MEAL Alsa Bayona (8:00 a.m.)

Virgin’s Slumber Song (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.) OFFERING N. Guinaldo

M. Reger

GOSPEL John 1:1-4, 14, 16-18 Holy Bible p. 94 (NT)

Hymn #310 HYMN (Please stand) Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

“Beginnings, Again” SERMON

APOSTLES’ CREED (8:00 & 9:00 a.m.) Page 105

PEACE Response: And also with you.

The assembly is seated.

The assembly is seated. Response after Gospel: Praise to you, O Christ.

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The assembly stands.

GREAT THANKSGIVING (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Response: Lord, in your mercy...Hear our prayer.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM (10:30 a. m.) Page 227 Dominik Tyler Lee Myers Garcia, son of Rhonda Myers & Samuel Garcia, born April 26, 2009

OFFERTORY RESPONSE (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.)

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

SENDING The assembly stands.

BLESSING Response: Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.) Response after prayer: Amen.

WELCOME TO THE LORD’S TABLE Bethany welcomes all baptized Christians who have celebrated their first communion to join in receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion. An usher will direct you when to come forward for the distribution. You will receive the wafer in your hand which you may then dip in the wine. Communion stations with alcohol free wine (orange communion set) and gluten free wafers (blue communion set) are available at every communion service at the center aisle. You may return by the opposite aisle of your section. Those who would like to come forward but do not wish to commune may ask the server for a blessing.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Page 107

THE LORD’S PRAYER Page 112

What Feast of Love COMMUNION HYMN Hymn #487

COMMUNION MUSIC O Morning Star (8:00 a.m.) Schlafendes Jesuskind (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.)

P. Manz H. Wolf

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SANCTUS (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.)

LAMB OF GOD

PREACHER Pastor Debra Engquist

PRESIDERS Pastor Paul Svingen Pastor Russ Britton

ASSISTING MINISTER

Pastoral Intern Stefanie Fauth-Lemke

GUEST ORGANIST

Kathy Singh

MUSICIAN Elizabeth Murphy, vocalist (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.)

LECTORS Sylvia Boedeker (8:00 a.m.) Mike Chessnoe (9:00 a.m.) Elton Winters (10:30 a.m.)

SACRISTAN Dave Malucky

ACOLYTES Elizabeth Aldrich, Margret Molke (8:00 a.m.) Nathan Daniel, Walker Sparling (9:00 a.m.) Joseph Kuzminski, Ryan Schiel (10:30 a.m.)

Holiday for Pedals G. Young POSTLUDE

WORSHIP LEADERS JANUARY USHERS

Bev Beattie, Jeff Finnin, Ken Griepentrog, Noel Hasselgren, Mark Mertz (8:00 a.m.)

Colton Clark, Andy Gift, David Laverty, David Malucky, Diane McAllen, Eric Oss,

Brian Rulla, Don Westphal (9:00 a.m.) David Clausen, Kenneth Hansen, Gail Luttinen,

Andrew Rogge, Steve Rogge (10:30 a.m.)

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

Sylvia Boedeker, Jeanette Manos, Bev Van Kirk (8:00 a.m.)

Larry Daub, Vicky Daub, Jeanette Manos, Lori Roenfeldt (9:00 a.m.)

Deb Bayles, Brenda Greenwald (10:30 a.m.)

SOUND TECHNICIANS

Rob Kelly, Andrew Wiggans

JANUARY ALTAR GUILD

Dottie Colton, Helen Han, Neal Helland, Twila Helland, Gail Hipke, Jean Lindsey, Carol Rankin

NURSERY ATTENDANTS

Kathy Shearer, Lori Braden

SENDING HYMN Hymn #290 Go Tell It on the Mountain

DISMISSAL Response: Thanks be to God.

BENEDICTION

Liturgical Text, Worship Notes and Music: From Sundays and Seasons.com (c) 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26681

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WORSHIP NOTES Second Sunday of Christmas/Epiphany of Our Lord

Today we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus as well as the revealing (epiphany) of Christ to all nations. Some Christians traditionally celebrate the three great epiphanies all together on January 6: the magi's adoration of the Christ child, Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changed water into wine.

Riu, Riu, Chiu is a Spanish carol translating:

This one that is born is the Great King, Christ the Patriarch clothed in flesh. He redeemed us when He made himself small, though He was infinite, He would make himself finite.

I saw a thousand angels go singing making a thousand voices while flying, telling the shepherds of glory in the heavens and peace to the world since Jesus has been born.

We Three Kings was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. Each verse was initially written for a male voice representing each king, describing the gift he was bringing. The first and last verses were sung by all three “kings” as verses of praise.

Alsa Bayona is a Spanish carol describing that a child has been born in Bethlehem. The shepherds bring wood to keep him warm and jump for joy.

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BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES January 4, 2015

TODAY AT BETHANY… We welcome any guests worshipping with us today! Please fill out a Connection Card found in the pew rack.

A Gift for Epiphany Pick up an Epiphany House Blessing kit from one of the ushers following each service. (One per house-hold please.)

Diapers for DenUM Bethany is again partnering with Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) to provide diapers for young families. We are collecting diapers TODAY and next Sunday, January 11. There is a need for sizes 4, 5, and 6 although any donation is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in sorting diapers at DenUM on Sunday, January 18 from 11:30-1:30, please contact Tammy Craven 303-771-2813.

Adult Faith Formation Join us at 9:00 a.m. in Room 210 for the next in our Animate series, FAITH: Church.

Sunday School Classes Christmas Break; no classes TODAY. Classes resume next Sunday, January 11.

King Soopers, Safeway, Starbucks and Tony’s Gift Cards are available in the Narthex TODAY. Your purchase helps sup-port our own Bethany Early Childhood Center! You receive the dollar amount on the gift card and BECC receives 5%. Thanks for your support!

Good Coffee for a Good Cause The Global Mission Ministry Team is selling fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate in the Nar-thex TODAY. Proceeds help small farmer growers in Latin America, Africa and Asia through Lutheran World Relief, Equal Exchange and SERRV International.

Theater & Theology The first play in 2015 is “Appoggiatura”. It is Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. in The Ricketson Theatre. In a time-bending magical drama, three closely related Americans, each nursing a hunger and a hard-to-heal wound, travel to the romantic city of Venice seeking sol-ace. Tickets are $35 each and can be paid for at the Welcome Center. Deadline for ticket purchase is TODAY. Contact Sarah Hulslander at sarah@bethany-denver.org or 303-758-2820 with any questions.

Transition Team The team would like your input and ques-tions regarding the transition process. Please email us! General inquiries: BethanyTransitionTeam@gmail.com. Bethany’s mission: BethanyTTMissionVision@gmail.com. Staffing requirements: BethanyTTStaffingNeeds@gmail.com. How we will realize our vision for mission: BethanyTTSelfStudy@gmail.com.

THIS WEEK AT BETHANY... God’s Word for the Week Bible Study, Room 210. Mondays at 9:00 a.m. & Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m.

XYZ Senior Center Join us each Tuesday beginning at 9:30 a.m. for fellowship, a brief worship service and lunch. Menu for January 6: fried chicken, potato salad, garden salad, vege-table, rolls, dessert.

Beyond Divorce: Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends begins Tuesday, January 6 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. The seminar is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday through March 10. It provides healing for those experiencing the loss of a love relationship through edu-cation, support and optional social activities. Complementary child care is available. For more information please contact Beth Walker at 303-694-2967 or bethdwalker@gmail.com.

Centering Prayer The Centering Prayer groups meet on Tues-days at 6:00 p.m. in Room 404 downstairs and on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Bethany Library next to the office. We have begun a new book, The Cloud of Unknowing, an anony-mous work on Christian mysticism and contemplative prayer believed to have been written in the late 14th century, which describes contemplative prayer techniques used by the medie-val monastic community. We will read the book over the com-ing weeks and discuss it during one-hour weekly sessions that begin with a 20-minute period of silent prayer. We welcome new participants!

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets at Bethany the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 9 - 11:30 a.m. Sep-tember-May. Childcare is provided. Join us on January 7th! For more information, please contact Stephanie Davy at 303-324-5120 or bethanylutheranmops@gmail.com.

Deborah Circle Bible Study is open to all women and meets on Wednesdays from 4:45 - 6:00 p.m. in the library. We are using "Transforming Life and Faith". Please contact Susan Wiggans at 303-355-0372 or susanpw4@gmail.com if you have questions.

Save the Date! On Wednesday, January 7, from 7-8:15 p.m. Rev. Jonathan Swenson of Paraphrase Theatre will offer his performance “Witnesses” in the Sanctuary. Freewill offering.

Thursday Women's Study Group Join us on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in Room 208. We are using James W. Moore’s book, "Attitude Is Your Paintbrush; It Colors Every Situa-tion". We’ll be on hiatus until January 15. If you have ques-tions, please contact Ginny Miller at augerdogger@aol.com.

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MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES, continued... January 4, 2015

Young at Heart Want to meet new friends or catch up with old ones? Join us in the Fellowship Hall around 11:00 a.m. on the second Friday of the month from September - June for socializing and lunch followed by a program. On Friday, January 9, lunch includes brisket, roasted potatoes, vegetable, rolls, salad and dessert. Our program follows in Room 314 featuring Art Junge sharing his photos from his trip to Africa.

NEXT SUNDAY… Scripture Readings January 11: The lessons are from Genesis 1:1-5 and Acts 19:1-7. The Gospel is from Mark 1:4-11.

Baptism of Our Lord/Anniversary of Baptism Sunday, Janu-ary 11. Too often we think of our baptism as an event, rather than a way of living one’s life, but baptism is the foundation for how we live as Christians. If you or your child was bap-tized in 2014, please join us next Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service to celebrate and remember that living our baptism is a lifelong journey. A light brunch follows the service. Contact Janice Lyon at janice@bethany-denver.org or 303-758-2820 if you have any questions and to RSVP.

Sunday School Teacher Training Sunday, January 11, 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall. (Make-up date, January 18.)

Middle School Youth Gathering Meeting Sunday, January 11 for all participants, parents and chaperones. We’ll meet in the Soul Schopp at 10:15 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD… Membership Interest Session, Saturday, January 17, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. or Sunday, January 25, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. Thinking about joining a church but just not sure where to start? Come find out what Bethany is all about! In order to prepare lunch appropriately, RSVP to Janice at janice@bethany-denver.org or 303-758-2820. Please feel free to attend even if you haven’t RSVP’d to learn the valua-ble content.

Theater & Theology On Tuesday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m. in The Space Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company pre-sents “Benediction”. This adaptation of Kent Haruf’s novel is a powerful drama about three souls searching for meaning-ful connections despite separation, loneliness and the race against time on the high plains of Colorado. Deadline for ticket purchase is Sunday, January 18. Reserve your tickets at the Welcome Center. Tickets are $35 each. Contact Sarah Hulslander at 303-758-2820 or sarah@bethany-denver.org with any questions.

Fiddler on the Roof Join the pastoral staff for a Bethany social event on Sunday, January 25 as we head to Boulder Dinner Theatre’s excellent offering of the classic musical Fid-

dler on the Roof. 5:00 p.m. departure from Bethany, 6:15 p.m. dinner, 7:00 p.m. show. The cost is around $45/person. Sign up at the Welcome Center or email Pastor Russ at russ@bethany-denver.org; payment confirms your spot. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, January 11.

Mental Health First Aid Training returns on January 31st. Vicky & Larry Daub will be facilitating Mental Health First Aid at Bethany in the Great Hall on from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Similar to ‘First Aid’ and CPR, ‘Mental Health First Aid’ teaches individuals how to help those experiencing men-tal health challenges or crises. To register, go to http://mhfaco.org/find-a-class. Questions? Please contact Janet Mortinsen at janet@bethany-denver.org or 303-536-5448.

Lenten Retreat Friday, February 20 - Sunday, February 22. Mere Christianity-Time spent in C. S. Lewis’ pivotal work led by Pastor Russ. We will be returning to the Highlands Retreat Center near Allenspark. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Payment confirms your registration. Questions? Con-tact Sarah at sarah@bethany-denver.org or 303-758-2820. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, January 11.

How to Help… Altar Flowers Would you like to honor or remember a spe-cial person or event? Sign up for altar flowers at the Welcome Center. $35.00 donation.

Be The Blessing Planning for our day of service to the com-munity for 2015 begins on January 11 at noon in the office conference room. There are lots of moving parts to arrange prior to the event and we are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping a little or a lot. Join us at the meeting or contact Sarah Hulslander, sarah@bethany-denver.org or Mark Lacy, marklacy@outlook.com if you have questions.

Chapel Update Thank you to the 300+ families who have donated to the new Chapel. Construction is on schedule and further details for the anticipated February 2015 dedication will be forthcoming. The Chapel is a much needed and long anticipated addition to our worship and spiritual spaces at Bethany. Funding opportunities are still available. Check online for ways to contribute or contact Joel Halvorson at joel@bethany-denver.org.

Bethany Fund Update: Received

December 28 $ December MTD $

Fiscal YTD $

Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 East Hampden Avenue

Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113 303-758-2820

www.bethany-denver.org

“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” Matthew 2:2