ABINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Founded 1714

1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001 Phone: (215) 887-4530 Fax: (215) 887-5988 E-mail: leslieda@apcusa.org

Web Site: www.apcusa.org

The Reverend Leslie Dobbs-Allsopp, Interim Pastor The Reverend Diane J. Fitch, Associate Pastor

The Reverend Stanley T. Wherry, Minister of Visitation Ruth Ideen-Sall, B.M. Director of Children’s Choirs and Ministries

John Sall, M.M. Director of Music Ministries Ethel Geist, M.A. Organist

Janet Tebbel, M.M. Director of Handbells Gary Koch, Business Manager

Lectionary Lessons for Epiphany:

Isa. 63:7-9; Ps. 148, 10-14; Heb. 2:10-18; Matt. 2:13-23

Lectionary Lessons for January 8, 2016

Isa. 42:1-9; Ps. 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matt. 3:15-17

* POSTLUDE Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Paul Manz

Worship Leaders:

Preacher: The Rev. Diane J. Fitch

Liturgist: Ray Rife

Organist: Ethel Geist

Recorders: Heidi Bardsley and Katie Krall

We are glad you are worshiping with us and invite you to participate in the

ministry and service of Abington Presbyterian Church.

Greeters today are: Nancy Bell and Blaine Cloud.

In need of special prayers this week: Clem Brown, Al Foster, Stewart

Boerner, Shirley Palmer, Jack Waite, Linda Lonsinger, Janice Lufkin, the

Shuttleworth family, Ned & Bobbie Leiby, Pete Rydlewski (father of Sherry

Aikens), Jeni Sneberger, Linda Gustafson, Kristin Erbst (daughter of Julie

and Guy Rothfuss), Jane Thomson, Nyssa Weber-Reikow, Lesley Meinel, Jim

Kelly, Crissi Verros (mother of Terri Porter), Hiroko Dean (mother of John

Dean), Cliff Boggs (cousin of Thomas Boggs).

During Today’s Worship: If you need assistance, please ask an usher to assist

you.

Child care for infants and toddlers is provided in the nursery (Rooms 110,

112). Travel through the door to the left of the chancel and down the steps.

For Pastoral Care: To notify the church of an illness, hospitalization,

death, or to request prayer, contact a minister or call your Deacon or the Church

Office at (215) 887-4530.

For information regarding baptisms, weddings and funerals, please call the

Church Office at (215) 887-4530.

Holy are you, and…… mystery which is our faith:

Christ died, so sin would have no more power over us;

Christ rose, destroying death's grip on us;

when the new heaven and new earth come,

Christ will make all things, including us, new.

In these sacred moments, …. now and forever. Amen.

THE DISTRIBUTION All of the bread used for communion is gluten free.

VOLUNTARY Suite IV Pieces Joseph Bodin de Boismortier

5. Doucement

6. Gavotte 1

7. Gavotte 2

PRAYER AND 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.

SENDING

* HYMN 145 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

* THE SENDING

Let us go from this time of silence and song, to be God's voice,

to speak out for the oppressed of our communities and world.

Let us go from this time of community, to be Jesus' faithful,

to feed the hungry, to visit the sick, to be a friend to the prisoner.

Let us go from this sacred space, to share the peace of the Spirit,

to work for reconciliation in our neighborhoods,

to share love with all God’s children.

May this year be filled with blessings for all. Amen!

ORDER OF WORSHIP

The Epiphany of the Lord

January 1, 2017

10:00 am

GATHERING We gather to praise God, in God’s sanctuary, to rededicate our lives to the service

of God through music, spoken word and discipleship.

REFLECTION BEFORE WORSHIP A time for quiet preparation before worship

God says: “Behold, I am making everything new!” In this new year, let

us move forward with the confidence our new name gives, with a new

song in our hearts and on our lips, with the new way before us, and

with our eyes fixed on the horizon when Christ will return and make a

new heaven and a new earth.

PRELUDE Morning Star Rebecca Owens

LIFE AND WORK OF THE CHURCH

* CALL TO WORSHIP This is the day that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the year that the Lord has begun.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for the Lord’s

compassions never fail. They are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to those who seek him.

Great is your faithfulness, O Lord. Amen! —from Jeremiah 3:22-25

* HYMN 147 The First Nowell THE FIRST NOWELL

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Faithful God, you call us to be saints, but we are more comfortable

with the role of sinner. You call us to be your servants, but we worry

that we lack the skills to do your work. You put a new song of praise

in our mouths, but we stumble on unfamiliar words. You show us

the work to be tackled, but we turn away defiant, insisting we have

more important things to do.

Put your song on our lips and in our hearts, and remind us of the joy

that awaits us when we put our trust in you. Guide us into the light

of your unwavering, never-ending, and grace-filled love.

SILENT PERSONAL CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON It's over - last year is gone. Our words, our thoughts, our deeds are in

the past. Today, we begin anew. Today, and every day, God offers us

life and hope.

Here, now, forever - we are forgiven and healed. This year, let us live

as forgiven and healed people. Thanks be to God! Amen.

* RESPONSE Good Christian Friends Hymnal 132, v.3 Good Christian friends, rejoice

with heart and soul and voice;

now ye need not fear the grave:

Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all

to gain the everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!

Christ was born to save!

* THE PEACE OF CHRIST Greet one another with the sign of peace.

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

WORD God’s Word is read and its message is proclaimed in

scripture, music and interpretation.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 60:1-6 Bible OT: Pg. 690

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 148 Bible OT: Pgs. 582-583

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

MEDITATION

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-12 Bible NT: Pg. 2

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:13-23 Bible NT: Pg. 2

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

MEDITATION

* HYMN 154 Jesus Entered Egypt KING’S WESTON

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by

the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius

Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the

third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from

thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in

the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of

saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and

the life everlasting. Amen.

THANKSGIVING After the proclamation of God’s Word, we respond by offering prayer and

returning our tithes and offerings.

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY Suite IV Pieces Joseph Bodin de Boismortier

1. Prelude - Gravement

2. Peysane

* DOXOLOGY Joy to the World Hymnal 134, v. 1

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her king;

let every heart prepare him room,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

* PRAYER OF DEDICATION

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER THE INVITATION

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

May the God of new beginnings be with you.

And also with you.

People of God, lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the One who makes all things, including us, new.

Children of God, sing praises to the One who gives you new life.

We praise the One who continues to surprise us with hope and

grace.

Before there was time ... our sisters and brothers on earth, who sing of

Your glory: