The Epiphany Of Our Lord

January 6, 2008 9:00am

Thank You for sharing this time of worship with us. We're glad you're here! Do come again! If you do not have a local church home, we invite you to make your home with us. You will find Christian love, opportunities for spiritual growth, warm friendships, and an appreciation of being part of God’s family.

Please Don’t Rush Off After The Worship Service. Stick around for some refreshments and a little conversation. We hope you are able to stay!

Large Print Hymnals and personal sound devices are available at the usher's station to help make worship more meaningful for those who may appreciate such assistance. Just ask one of the ushers before the service.

The Lord's Supper is being celebrated today. This special meal, instituted by Christ, unites us with Him and our brothers and sisters in the faith. This sacrament is intended for those who are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; trust in Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven; and believe that the true body and blood of Jesus are present with the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Guests who share this faith are invited to speak with the pastor before joining us in this holy meal.

Assisting Us In Worship This Morning

The Michael Arps family, greeters

Linda Henkel, organist

John Mueller, communion assistant

We Gather To Worship The Lord

Order of Service: The Common Service, page 15 in front of the hymnal, and

Liturgy for the Family of God, insert in front of the hymnal

Hymns: 80 83 70 87

Message: Matthew 2:1-12

“Sheep Grazers and Star Gazers!”

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 60:1-6

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

"Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

EPISTLE Ephesians 3:2-12

Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

This mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this Gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of His power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

This Week At Mt. Olive

Today: 8:45am Prayer Time in the Fireside Room

9:00am Family Worship Service with Holy Communion

10:00am Refreshments and Social Time

10:30am Education Hour

Monday: 6:00pm Outreach Committee Meeting

6:30pm Bible Information Class

7:00pm “Beautiful Feet” Bible Study

Wednesday: 5:30pm Confirmation Class

7:00pm Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting

Thursday: 10:00am “Explorers of the Word” Bible Study

Saturday: 5:30pm Progressive Dinner

Next Sunday: 9:00am Family Worship Service

10:30am Education Hour for Children and Adults

7:00pm Coordinating Council

Visitors: Please include your email address in the Friendship Register information. Thanks!

You Are Cordially Invited to attend our Mt. Olive Progressive Dinner this Saturday, January 12^th, at 5:30pm. This year's dinner will be somewhat different from the norm and will follow a Peruvian theme. Instead of going house-to-house, we will progress from the Mt. Olive Fireside Room to the Mt. Olive Fellowship Hall, and back to the Fireside Room for dessert and our always popular "white elephant gift exchange." We'd like everyone to feel comfortable coming out on a winter Saturday evening without having to drive from one house to another, and we'll even furnish transportation to those who wish it. We are using this as an opportunity to raise money for the Peruvian church family and friends of Pastor Terry and the Peruvian national pastors (the money will be matched up to $800 by Thrivent - please see poster in narthex). You will not have to cook any of the food for this year's Progressive Dinner. Pam and Darryl Folkens and Linda and Lee Petersen will be cooking the entire meal. The food will not be spicy, but will be some of the most-loved Peruvian dinnertime staples. Since you will not be spending money on ingredients, and you will not be spending time on cooking, we are hoping that all who participate will feel generous with their donations to these very needy Peruvian people. Please consider joining us for this year's Peruvian Progressive Dinner. Don’t forget your white elephant gift!

Christian Life Ministries invites you to its Annual Dinner on January 20^th at SCLHS. A door offering for CLM will be taken here at Mt. Olive on that day for those who would like to support the cause but can’t attend the dinner.