Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship

January 3, 2010

Pastors:  Anita Kehr and Dan Schrock

Phone:  (574) 534-2398           e-mail: 

Web-Site:  www.berkeyavenue.org

Christmas 2:  Epiphany

Prelude and Processional of Wise Ones

Welcome

Call to Worship

      Leader:     God is here among us.

                        Arise, shine, your light has come!

      People:      Let us come, one and all, to worship our Lord.

                        Let us remember our story of faith.

                        Let us discover the stories we have to share with       

                        our neighbors.

      Leader:     Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for your birth,

                        for showing us the way to God.

      People:      May all the world receive this gift with joy.

Congregational Singing

      I owe my Lord a morning song (STJ 112)

      Arise, your light is come! (bulletin)

      O Lord, our Lord, how majestic (HWB 112)

Candle Lighting                                     Abe Thorne, Olivia Wenger

Children’s Time                                                                Beth Berry

Readings from the Prophets

      Isaiah 60:1-6

      Micah 5:2, 4-5a

Song:   The first Noel, the angel did say (HWB 199)

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 2:1-12                               J. D. Nafziger

Sermon:  “A Long Journey of Nine Miles”                   Dan Schrock

Walking Reflection and Offering:

      What nine miles do you need to walk?

      What gifts are you carrying and to whom are you giving them?

Litany of Response:

      Leader:     Lord, on this celebration of Epiphany, we rejoice in your presence.  We give thanks for the paths that have led us to you; and we confess that sometimes the stars we follow are made by human hands.

      Men:         We have tried many paths.

      Women:    Our wandering has made us weary.

      All:            Forgive us, O Lord.

                        Teach us your ways.

                        Guide us as you guided the magi.

      Leader:     We come looking for your grace,

                        not because we deserve it,

                        but because of your merciful love for all people.

      All:            May your kingdom come, O Lord.

                        May righteousness flourish and peace abound.

Sharing

      Pastoral Prayer                                                            Anita Kehr

Announcements

      Please pass the friendship registers.

Closing Song:  Heart with loving heart united (HWB 420)

Benediction

Childcare is available for infants and toddlers in the nursery during worship.

Worship Participants:

Worship Leader:  Jennifer Schrock

Song Leader:  Greg Smucker

Accompanist:  Patsy Sherer

Prelude/Offertory:  Emily Grimes 

Sound/Projection:  Michael Sherer

Ushers:  Dave and Bev Krabill

Quilt (as banner):  Created by Roxanna Sommers; on loan from Malinda Berry

Visuals:  Anne, Beth, and Malinda Berry

Pre-Service Slides:  Phil Bauman

Advent Planning Committee:  Beth Berry, Terri Plank Brenneman, Lori Good, Aaron Krabill, Paul Leichty (chair), John Rempel
Nurture Hour begins ten minutes after the end of worship.  Re-gather in the meetingroom for these opportunities:

Please attend the intergenerational adult class of your choice:

*   The Sermon Discussion Class led by David Heusinkveld and Kirk Stiffney meets in the northeast corner of the meetingroom.

*   A women’s class meets in the Jubilee Hall after the children have finished singing.

*   A long-term discussion-based group meets in the southeast corner of the meetingroom.

*   The College-Age Class led by Joe Liechty, John Roth, and Jan and Peter Shetler, meets in the library.

*   Uniform Lesson Series led by Ginny Martin meets in the northwest corner of the meetingroom.

Children from preschool through fifth grade gather after worship for singing in the Jubilee Hall (the large room north of the fellowship hall).  Younger children may go directly to their classroom (see the room assignments below).

*    Infants and 2-year-olds meet in the Nursery.

*    The preschool class meets in “Joyful.”

*    The primary class meets in “Peace.”

*    The middler class meets in “Forgiveness.”

Youth:

The JYF (grades 6-8) and MYF (grades 9-12) meet in their classrooms off of Jubilee Hall.

Newsletters are available on the literature rack in the fellowship hall.