Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 01-04-26 FINAL
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. January 04, 2026
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Meeting ID: 235 223 715
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** For those with health concerns, masks and safe social distance are suggested within the sanctuary, especially so, when singing or responding in prayer! Masks are available at the rear of the sanctuary.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 01-04-26 –Epiphany with Holy Communion
Prelude (Ken Olsson, Music Minister)
(After entering Zoom or the Sanctuary, please use mute or observe silence to allow all to prepare for worship. Thank you & Blessings)
Angels from the Realms of Glory (Jonathan W. Lee)
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Mark Hayes)
O Little Town of Bethlehem. (Pepper Choplin)
We Three Kings of Orient Are (Matt Schinske)
The First Noel (Faye López)
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #151 “The First Noel”
1 The first Noel, the angel did say; was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
[Refrain] Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
2 They looked up and saw a star, shining in the east, beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night:
[Refrain]
3 And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country afar;
to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went:
[Refrain]
4 This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.
[Refrain]
5 Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense:
[Refrain]
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License #21383697
* Call to Worship Christmas
One: The prophet Isaiah calls us from deep in the past, saying, “Arise, shine; for your light has come.”
Many: We seek to find and follow the Light.
One: The Magi followed a star to find a small child, who is the Light of the World.
Many: We seek to find and follow that Light.
One: Dear God, reveal to us this day what our eyes look for but cannot see; what our ears hear and
cannot understand. Shine your light on the pages of our lives.
Many: Loving God, we pray that you will fill us with your light, that we may live as true disciples in
your name. We seek to find and follow your Light.
* Unison Prayer
O God of light and peace, whose glory shines in the Child of Bethlehem, dispel the darkness that shrouds our path, so that we may come to kneel before Christ in true worship, offer him our hearts and souls, and return from his presence to live as he has taught us. Amen.
*Response: (Hymn #151, Verse 5)
Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense:
[Refrain] Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
Scripture:
Isaiah 60: 1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together; they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses' arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Matthew 2: 1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem,
asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east, and have come to pay him homage."
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him,
and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
*Hymn #172 “We Three Kings”
1 We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar
field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
[Refrain (after 1 & 5 only)]
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
3 Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, gladly raising, worshiping God on high.
4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom,
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
5 Glorious now behold him arise, Christ and God and sacrifice:
alleluia, alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.
[Refrain]
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Reflection: “ Arise, Shine! ” Pastor C.J. King
Synopsis:. The Magi undertook a long and arduous journey to find the Light of God. How far will you go in this New Year? And what gifts will you bring?
*Hymn #173 “As With Gladness”
1 As with gladness sages bold did the guiding star behold;
as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright,
so, true Morning Star, may we evermore your splendor see.
2 As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before One whom heaven and earth adore,
so, may we with willing feet ever seek your mercy seat.
3 As they offered gifts most rare at that manger plain and bare,
so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to you from whom they spring.
4 Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way;
and when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed lives at last
where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
Holy Communion
(Ken Olsson Music Minister)
Let Us Break Bread Together (Paul Thurmond) [A]
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.
Offertory: (Music Minister Ken Olsson)
Gentle Mary Laid Her Child (Mark Hayes)
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The 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, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: (Music Minister Ken Olsson)
Go, Tell It on the Mountain (Marianne Kim) [A]
Please greet your neighbors on Zoom or at a “Safe Social Distance” in the sanctuary, as the postlude ends. On Zoom unmute your mikes, share greetings and the peace of this virtual space.
Masks are optional but available in the sanctuary for those with health concerns,
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Arthur Park *Norm Robertson *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Dennis Scharback *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Gayle Arbuckle *Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Sophie Field *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Sherry Brown & Family *Ed Gruelich *Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Flo & Tim Bosch
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Jerry Goldlust (Christine Tattersall’s close friend) *Family & friends of Bob Wright *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Donald F.M. Bolton *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather)
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
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Wishing You a Joyous New Year