January 5, 2025

Epiphany Sunday (White)

Prayer Focus: God’s Guidance and Direction

Welcome to worship at Central!

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. Our clergy, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, and Rev. Meg Jiunnies, are grateful you’ve chosen to make Central a part of your day! If it is your first time worshiping with us, please fill out a Connect Card and bring it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!

Music Note

JOEL RANEY (b. 1956), arranger of today’s Offertory, started playing the piano sometime between learning to walk and learning to read. His taste for gospel music began in a rural Baptist church in Alabama, an influence that shows strongly in his work to this day. After completing his degree in choral conducting at the University of North Alabama, he went on to sharpen his keyboard skills, earning a master’s degree in piano performance at The Juilliard School. Since 1999 he has taken the church music scene by storm, with over 250 titles in print. His innovative style and inspired arranger's instincts inform his numerous choral anthems, musicals and cantatas, handbell compositions, piano solos, and instrumental music. Since 1988 he has worked as a composer and producer of commercial music in Chicago and has written soundtracks for more than 2000 television and radio commercials, plus numerous scores for short films.

Sermon Note

On the Epiphany, we remember the Magi coming to visit Jesus. The fact that they are from the east speaks to the idea that Jesus is the universal Savior for everyone. No one is excluded from God’s offer of grace.

Lead Central

All members of our lay leadership will come together to launch the new year on Sunday, January 12 at 12:00 PM in the Davis Christian Life Center. We will have a light lunch, discuss Central’s overall ministry plans, and take a group photo. It’s an important time to connect, set schedules, and think through goals. All teams and committees will have their first meeting of the year following the large group meeting. We hope to see you there!

Order of Worship

GATHERING The People Come Together in the Lord’s Name

PARISH CONCERNS

(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered for the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)

OPENING VOLUNTARY .......................................................................... J. S. Bach/arr. Harold Bauer

*CHIMING OF THE HOUR

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

(*All who are able are asked to stand.)

*GREETING

Leader: To you, O Lord, we lift up our souls.

People: O God, in you we trust.

Leader: Your steadfast love, O God, is before our eyes,

People: And we walk in your faithfulness.

*HYMN IN PROCESSION 254 ............................................................................... KINGS OF ORIENT

We Three Kings COLLECT

Lord Jesus Christ, by your love you have shown us the way to heaven. So cleanse us from our sin and deceitfulness that we may be renewed with faith and, thereby, become heirs of eternal life; Hear us, O Blessed and Holy Trinity, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 ..................................................................................... Apostles’ Creed

*GLORIA PATRI 71 ........................................................................................................... GREATOREX

Glory Be to the Father RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP

CHILDREN’S CHURCH DISMISSAL

(Children in 3K - 1st grade are now dismissed for Children’s Church and may be picked up in room #145 or #147 after the service.)

PROCLAMATION

ANTHEM .....................................................................................................

God’s Word is Shared

Jakob Hintze/arr. J. S. Bach Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise. Manifested by the star to the sages from afar; branch of royal David’s stem in thy birth at Bethlehem; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest. Manifest at Jordan’s stream, prophet, priest, and king supreme; and at Cana, wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest; manifest in power divine, changing water into wine; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest. Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting soul; manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil’s might; manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest. Manifest on mountain height, shining in resplendent light, where disciples filled with awe thy transfigured glory saw. When from there thou leddest them steadfast to Jerusalem, cross and Easter Day attest God in man made manifest.

SCRIPTURE LESSON ................................................................................................... Matthew 2:1-12

Leader: The Word of the Lord!

People: Thanks be to God!

SERMON ..................................................................................................................

Everyone’s Baby PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Rev. Thomas Smith

OFFERTORY ............................................................................................ Adolph Adam/arr. Joel Raney

O Holy Night

*DOXOLOGY 95 ...................................................................................................................... OLD 100th

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*COMMUNION HYMN 256 ................................................................................................ CUSHMAN

We Would See Jesus CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION 12 THE LORD’S PRAYER

GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP HYMNS DURING COMMUNION (sung by all)

*HYMN 247 .................................................. WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

*HYMN 248 .................................................................................................. PERSONENT HODIE

On This Day, Earth Shall Ring

*HYMN 251 ......................................................................... GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN Go Tell It on the Mountain PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

*HYMN 245 .................................................................................................................. THE FIRST NOEL

The First Noel

*BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY ............................................................................................ Robert J. Powell

On this Day earth Shall Ring RESPONDING IN FAITH

Meg Bryce Jiunnies Organist/Choir Director .......................................................................................................

Don Grice Organist /Choir Accompanist .......................................................................................

Pianist ......................................................................................................................... Dr. Benjamin Woods

Communion Servers ............................................................................... Jason and Mary Murphey Hyman

Acolyte................................................................................................................. Anna Reaves Yarborough

Crucifer ................................................................................................................................. Coleman Jones

ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR DECEMBER 29, 2024

IN MEMORY OF

COURTNEY GRAHAM SHELTER

John McGinnis .................................................................................................................................... by Bebe & John Frank

EPWORTH CHILDREN'S HOME

June McCaskill ............................................................................................................................... by Bettie & Frank Alford GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET

Mike Ballenger, Ken Burdette, Gloria Coldren, Butch Davis, Harry Glover, Mary Virginia Cannon Moody, John Orr,

Betty Searcy, Mary Ann Snow ............................................................................................................ by Bebe & John Frank HANDBELLS

Joyce Collins, Roger Malfatti, Jack Parker, Nancy Player, Vennie Sanders, Nell Starks ....................... by Bebe & John Frank LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES

Bonnie Bundy ................................................................................................................................ by Bettie & Frank Alford

SANTAHATCHIE MISSION

Roger Cooke ................................................................................................................................. by Zilphy & John DuRant

STEPHEN MINISTRIES

Wilson G. Crone ......................................................................................................................... by Eileen & Bill Blackwell

UMCOR

Charlotte Berry, Leo Elvington, Tom Whiteley .................................................................................... by Bebe & John Frank

IN HONOR OF

Sylvia & Rudy Hughes, Jeanette & Wayne Jackson, June Jenkins ..................................... by Carolyn & Rev. Leon Wagnon

Sarah Blanton Class Teachers, Pastors and Staff ........................................................................... by Eileen & Bill Blackwell Renae Chadwick, Charles M. & Billie D. Sisco .................................................................................. by Julia & Robby Sisco LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES

Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, Rev. Meg Jiunnies ....................................................... by Ann & David Wansley SANTAHATCHIE MISSION

Margaret, Julia & Jean Cates .......................................................................................................................... by Florie Ervin

Anna Frances Falcone .................................................................................................................................... by Anonymous

Wayne Jackson ........................................................................................................................................ by Jeanette Jackson

Rick Knight ................................................................................................................................................. by Sandra Sturkie

Nancy & Cliff Lewis ................................................................................................................................ by Salley Davidson

Our Grandchildren .................................................................................................................. by Susan & Charlie Williams

Leila Rogers ......................................................................................................................................................... by Joy Poole

STEPHEN MINISTRIES

W.S. Flanagan Family ................................................................................................................. by Eileen & Bill Blackwell UMCOR

Rev. and Mrs. Richard Rogers-Berry, Rachel Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. Mary Berry, David Rogers-Berry & Keri Ann Moskowitz ................................................................................................................................................................. by Salley Davidson

by Kriste & Chuck Lindler