Sunday, January 4, 2026 -- 10:30am Worship Service
Welcome to Maxwell Street! We hope you will consider wearing a nametag so that we might get to know one another better. They can be found in the lobbies outside the sanctuary. You can find more helpful information inside this bulletin.
Introit 151 - We Three Kings of Orient Areverse 1
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!
Greeting & Announcements
Prelude - Kyrie for the Christmas Mass, César Franck,
Call to Worship - Inspired by Isaiah 60.1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
The light of the Lord has risen upon us, and God’s glory has shone around us.
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.
The Light of God’s love shines upon us. Our hearts thrill and rejoice. We have come bearing the gift of our lives and to lift up our voices in praise.
Let us worship God together.
Hymn 86 - The People Who Walked in Darkness
Confession
God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace. In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and pour out the gifts of your Spirit, that, forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Hear now our silent prayers of confession.
Assurance of Pardon
Response to Forgiveness: 581 Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
Prayer for Openness
Holy One, giver of all light, lift up our hearts and minds to Christ, the morning star that never fades. By the light of your Holy Spirit reveal to us your saving Word and lead us to offer our lives to you in service and in love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading: 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.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Offering
Offertory - Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love, arr. Lein/Weaver, Chancel Choir
Bring we the frankincense of our love to the feet of the holy child, ever remembering God’s great gift of a love that is undefiled. Holy the Infant and holy the mother and holy and precious the gifts that we bring; praise to the Father and praise to the Spirit and praise to Christ Jesus our King. Bring we the myrrh of humility to the throne of the Son of God, ever recalling the purity of His life when the earth He trod. Ever secure in His changelessness, though the kingdoms of earth may fall, bring we the gold of our faithfulness to the King who is Lord of all.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3.1-12
This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you gentiles, for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Sermon - “The Mystery Made Known” - Rev Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - The Confession of 1967 (Inclusive Language)
God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God ’s love.
*HYMN 141 - On This Day Earth Shall Ring
Invitation
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise…
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
The congregation is invited to come forward to take a piece of bread and dip it in the cup. There is gluten-free bread on the table. If you would prefer to receive Communion in your pew, an elder or deacon will serve you. After consuming the bread and the cup and returning to your seat, turn your mind to what God is inviting you to consider in this moment of stillness.
Prayer after Communion
Loving and gracious God, from east and west, from north and south, you have gathered us at your table, called us your beloved, and fed us from your body. Transform us to be your body in the world, and fortify us by your Spirit, so that we may serve you and our neighbors with great joy. Amen.
Hymn 744 - Arise, Your Light Is Come!
Charge
Benediction
Response - Hymn 151 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
Glorious now behold him arise,verse 5
King and God and Sacrifice:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
sounds through the earth and skies. (Refrain)
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!
Postlude - The First Noel, arr. Bish
Introit 151 - We Three Kings of Orient Areverse 1
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!
Greeting & Announcements
Prelude - Kyrie for the Christmas Mass, César Franck,
Call to Worship - Inspired by Isaiah 60.1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
The light of the Lord has risen upon us, and God’s glory has shone around us.
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.
The Light of God’s love shines upon us. Our hearts thrill and rejoice. We have come bearing the gift of our lives and to lift up our voices in praise.
Let us worship God together.
Hymn 86 - The People Who Walked in Darkness
Confession
God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace. In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and pour out the gifts of your Spirit, that, forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Hear now our silent prayers of confession.
Assurance of Pardon
Response to Forgiveness: 581 Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
Prayer for Openness
Holy One, giver of all light, lift up our hearts and minds to Christ, the morning star that never fades. By the light of your Holy Spirit reveal to us your saving Word and lead us to offer our lives to you in service and in love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading: 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.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Offering
Offertory - Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love, arr. Lein/Weaver, Chancel Choir
Bring we the frankincense of our love to the feet of the holy child, ever remembering God’s great gift of a love that is undefiled. Holy the Infant and holy the mother and holy and precious the gifts that we bring; praise to the Father and praise to the Spirit and praise to Christ Jesus our King. Bring we the myrrh of humility to the throne of the Son of God, ever recalling the purity of His life when the earth He trod. Ever secure in His changelessness, though the kingdoms of earth may fall, bring we the gold of our faithfulness to the King who is Lord of all.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3.1-12
This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you gentiles, for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Sermon - “The Mystery Made Known” - Rev Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - The Confession of 1967 (Inclusive Language)
God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God ’s love.
*HYMN 141 - On This Day Earth Shall Ring
Invitation
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise…
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
The congregation is invited to come forward to take a piece of bread and dip it in the cup. There is gluten-free bread on the table. If you would prefer to receive Communion in your pew, an elder or deacon will serve you. After consuming the bread and the cup and returning to your seat, turn your mind to what God is inviting you to consider in this moment of stillness.
Prayer after Communion
Loving and gracious God, from east and west, from north and south, you have gathered us at your table, called us your beloved, and fed us from your body. Transform us to be your body in the world, and fortify us by your Spirit, so that we may serve you and our neighbors with great joy. Amen.
Hymn 744 - Arise, Your Light Is Come!
Charge
Benediction
Response - Hymn 151 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
Glorious now behold him arise,verse 5
King and God and Sacrifice:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
sounds through the earth and skies. (Refrain)
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!
Postlude - The First Noel, arr. Bish