“The Way to Go Home”
Psalm 24:1-7 (Common English Bible)
A psalm of David.
24 The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too. 2 Because God is the one who established it on the seas; God set it firmly on the waters.
3 Who can ascend the Lord’s mountain? Who can stand in his holy sanctuary? 4 Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart; the one who hasn’t made false promises, the one who hasn’t sworn dishonestly. 5 That kind of person receives blessings from the Lord and righteousness from the God who saves. 6 And that’s how things are with the generation that seeks him—that seeks the face of Jacob’s God. Selah
7 Mighty gates: lift up your heads! Ancient doors: rise up high! So the glorious king can enter!
Matthew 2:1-12 (Common English Bible)
Coming of the magi
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. 4 He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” 9 When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. 11 They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
Sunday School:
10:30 – 11:30 AM – in the Parish Hall Lower Level. A Children’s Church program is available weekly on Sunday mornings.
Nursery Ministry:
10:30 – 11:30 AM – in the Parish Hall Lower Level. Available every Sunday morning during the worship service.
Sunday Morning Worship:
10:30 AM – in the Sanctuary. Join us today for Pastor Tom Hendershot’s sermon “The Way to Go Home.”
Christmas Eve Service:
Tuesday Dec. 24th 6:30 PM – in the Sanctuary. A service of scriptures, carols, communion, and special music with a candle light finale. We hope to see you there!