Blog

January 4, 2026
Epiphany Sunday
Communion Service
Union-Congregational Church

Gathering Music                                         

Welcome and Announcements                       

Sharing the Peace of Christ

Introduction to Theme
Liturgist: Many of you have probably heard of “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” It is a condition in which the lack of sunlight, often during winter months, can affect our moods and ability to cope effectively. Millions of people live with some sort of anxiety or depression disorder. If you do not, chances are you are close to someone who does.

Pastor: For the next few weeks, we will talk about another way of understanding this reality—“Spiritual Affective Disorder”— considering how the uncertainty and pace of life can keep us from the spiritual and emotional wellbeing that God desires for us. But instead of focusing on typical spiritual practices as an antidote, we will simply focus on how everyday life activities could become spiritual practices—deepening our experience of a meaningful life and helping us shine a light on the “blahs.”

Liturgist: This morning, we hear the scripture reminding us to “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” This is your invitation to “flip the switch” and see waking up each day as a simple reminder that we can start fresh.

Pastor: Feeling afraid, uncertain, down, and depressed is no sin, my friends. It doesn’t mean you are separated from God. May we lean on those who are right there and ready to be a cradle of God’s love for each of us.

Call to Worship                             
One: People of faith, look! In our darkness a light shines: the star is love.
All: Alleluia! In gratitude we follow the star of love.
 

One: The star moves ahead of us, and leads us faithfully.
All: Alleluia! In wonder we follow the star of love.
 

One: The star hides itself in each of us: in everyone we meet, in all God’s people.
All: Alleluia! In devotion we follow the star of love. Alleluia!

Opening Prayer (unison)                    
Waking God, we give you thanks for the chance to start fresh every day. Open our hearts to the light of possibilities, even when the day ahead holds difficulties. Be with us, near us, beside us. Amen.
 

Opening Hymn: #231 Arise, Your Light Is Come! (OL #08411)

Reading of Scripture                       
Isaiah 60: 1-6
60 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 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. 3 Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 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.

5 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. 6 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.

After reading, please say, “Here end the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”

Media: “Shine” by Collective Soul (Lyric video, YouTube)

Message: Waking Up

Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns 
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.” 
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)

We Offer Our Gifts

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Leader: Radiant God, you have revealed your dwelling among us—in bread shared, in mercy offered, in justice imagined and begun. We thank you for the gifts that flow like rivers, for the abundance that rises from the sea, for the courage to give and to receive. Bless now these offerings and the hearts from which they come. Let them join the caravans of compassion moving through this world, bringing joy where despair has lingered, and peace where fear has taken root.
 

All: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. May our lives shine with the glory of God, our hands carry God’s grace, and our gifts become good news for all creation. Amen.

Sharing Holy Communion
One: The Holy Healing God be with you.
All: And also, with you.
 

One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift our breaking hearts to God.
 

One: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Pastor: It is right, and good thing, to give thanks to you, Holy One. You pierced the dark night of the cosmos with the light of a rising sun and set in motion the growth of all that exists. You created us in your image, with the capacity for navigating joy as well as the depths of sorrow. You set a rainbow in the clouds after devastation, and you continue to provide us with signs of life renewed when all feels like destruction. When we can’t seem to find you when our light grows dim, you abide. You stay. You are. For you have promised to be with us always, until we can lift our heads and sense your presence once again. Because of this, you help us sing with all the saints, all those who have gone before us and have borne the weight of life and death. They help us raise our voices with the ancient song:

All: Holy, holy, holy One God of mercy and light. Heaven and earth are full of your shining glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are they who come near for respite, for hope, for healing, for comfort. Blessed are they who come in your name.

Pastor: Holy are you and blessed is your son, Jesus, who came as your flesh in this world, showing us that all of life is sacred, is good, even though difficult at times. Life is full. Jesus lamented injustice. Jesus cried with loss. Jesus sought solace in solitude. Jesus found comfort in friends. And he promised to always be with us in the healing waters and groaning Spirit.

Pastor: On his last night with loved ones, he gathered them together for a meal. He broke bread and poured wine and spoke of brokenness.  He did not hide his anguish. He did not tell them to flee difficulty. He offered sustenance for the trying times ahead.

[lift the bread and cup (adapt for more traditional Words of Institution if need be)]

Pastor: Whenever we gather around his table, especially in turbulent times like these, we break the bread and pour the cup and remember him, just as he told us. And we remember that he is constant friend, covenant-maker, companion, always. We are not alone.”

[replace the bread and cup on the table]

Pastor: And so, remembering his invitation, we gather at this family table and we proclaim this mystery of faith:

All: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ comes again.

Pastor: And so, Holy Spirit, bless this bread and cup that they may become for us symbols of your love for us. And bless us, that we may be ambassadors of your holy spirit for all.

Sharing the Elements

Prayer after Communion
Friends, I invite you to open your hands as a sign of opening your hearts. Imagine the light shining out from your palms or a beam going into your palms, whichever you need at this moment. Light out or light in.
[pause for a moment]

Pastor: Spirit of God, shine upon us and within us, making your way to shine from us. We pray that you will transform us as you come to us in these elements of bread and fruit of the vine. Though you do not require that we be whole in order to be at your table, may our coming to this table suture our wounds until we can be whole again. In the same way, Spirit, heal this world and help us be part of that healing. Make us one in suffering and healing. In your holy name, Loving God, through your son, Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, now and forever.

All: Amen.

Closing Hymn: #229 The First Noel (1,2,4,6)

Mission and Vision Statements (unison)
We go now to Love God's Creation, Share in Fellowship, and Live Christ's Example, while seeking God's blessing on our lives and on our communities. Living our Core Values, We the family of Union-Congregational Church seek to deepen our own spirituality with acceptance of all through love and a commitment to Christ.

Benediction
 

Now go into the world, feeling the wrap of love around your shoulders, the embrace of well-being encompassing your heart, the confidence that only requires one foot in front of the other, and the assurance that you are not alone. The world needs you and will patiently wait for your light to shine, illuminating just one small corner, speaking even a little bit of hope. We’re in it together,
along with the One who created us, the One who redeems us, the One who sustains us. So be it. Amen.

Sending Music                               

Attributions:
•    Call to Worship by Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes
•    Prayer of Dedication by Rev. Michael Anthony Howard for UCC Worship Ways
•    Other liturgy and theme by Dr. Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio