Is Your Church Guided by Scripture or by Stars?

[00:06:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Thank you.

[00:07:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Good morning Central!
[00:07:32] Happy New Year!
[00:07:33] That was weak.
[00:07:34] Good morning Central!
[00:07:37] Happy New Year!
[00:07:39] It is a great time to be together and worship God.
[00:07:42] Thank you so much for being here.
[00:07:44] My name is Anita.
[00:07:45] I'm the pastor here at Central.
[00:07:46] I welcome you in Jesus' name.
[00:07:48] If you are still traveling for holidays and you are joining us online from wherever you are, welcome.
[00:07:53] We're glad that you're part of this community this morning.
[00:07:56] If it's your first time in worship with us, we invite you to take a Connect card that's there in front of you in the pew and fill it out.
[00:08:03] Leave it on the desk in the lobby on your way out or in the offering plate as it comes by and just let us know who you are and how we can help you follow Jesus better.
[00:08:13] In 2026 we would love to be part of your faith journey and for you to be part of this community of faith so thank you so much for being here it's going to be a great year together and coming right up very soon is something you need to put on your calendar hey guys happy new year uh if you haven't been super active or haven't uh been around you know for the past year or so you know we have a very important event coming up

[00:08:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
In the next six weeks, it's called the Cake Auction!
[00:08:47] Woo-hoo!
[00:08:49] Just so y'all know, so we'll start getting ready and prepared for that.
[00:08:52] You know, it's a wonderful event that we use to help raise funds for our youth and specifically looking into Cross Connection, which is our summer mission trip that we do with the youth.
[00:09:05] This year, we're planning on going to good old Missouri.
[00:09:08] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:09:22] Amen.
[00:09:26] and that way we can auction them off to raise funds for our youth and for our summer mission trip and just wanted to kind of get everybody a little bug in their ear over this upcoming event it's great fun if you haven't been to it and be expecting to have lunch and then just lots of fun and lots of sweets okay all right it's time to worship let's stand up and sing God's praises this morning

[00:09:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Through every battle Through every heartbreak Through every circumstance I believe that you are my fortress You are my portion You are my hiding place I believe you are the way
[00:10:22] The truth, the life, I believe you are the way The truth, the life, I believe you're every blessing, every promise, every breath I take
[00:10:54] I believe that you are provider, you are protector, you are the one I love I believe you are the way, the truth, the life I believe you are the way

[00:11:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
We're going to sing this part twice.

[00:11:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Sing it.
[00:11:41] It's a new horizon that I'll set on you And to meet me here today with mercies that I knew
[00:11:52] All my fears and doubts, they can all come true Because they can stay long when I'm here with you It's a new horizon and I'm set on a new day With mercies that I knew
[00:12:14] All my fears and doubts They can all come to me Because they can't stay long When I believe you are The way The truth The life I believe you are The way The truth

[00:12:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I believe you are the way, the truth, the life I believe you are

[00:13:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
God, you are the way, the life, the truth, the gateway to our hearts, Lord.
[00:13:12] Help us to open up those hearts here in this place as we worship you.
[00:13:15] Help us to keep ourselves focused on you, your word, and your message today, Lord, which is love.
[00:13:22] We love you.

[00:13:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
All throughout my history Faithfulness has walked beside me The winter storms fade away for spring In every season from where I'm standing Help me remember when I
[00:14:11] Fear may come but fear will leave You lead my heart to victory You are my strength and You always will I see I see the evidence of Your goodness all over my life
[00:14:44] I see Your promises in fulfillment all over my life, all over my life I see the cross, the empty grave, the evidences endless, all my sin rolled away
[00:15:07] I see the evidence of your goodness all over my life
[00:15:39] I see your promises in fulfillment all over my life, all over my life So why should I fear?
[00:16:00] Oh, the evidence is clear So why should I fear?
[00:16:09] All the evidence is here.

[00:16:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Alright, have a seat.
[00:16:18] Please be seated.
[00:16:22] As we pray together this morning and step into a new year, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, had a service
[00:16:32] For the beginning of the year so that we might renew our covenant with God as we step into a brand new season together.
[00:16:41] And there was a prayer that's part of that.
[00:16:42] I mean, it's a whole long service, but there's a prayer that's part of that service that is a hope.
[00:16:48] Something you've heard, and if it's not, I want it to be a guiding prayer for us for 2026.
[00:16:54] So I want to open for requests, for praises and prayers, and then I want us to pray that prayer together.
[00:17:03] Is there anybody, anything, any situation you'd like to lift?

[00:17:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Lynn Ramsey's father is in the hospital.

[00:17:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Okay, Lynn Ramsey's father is in the hospital, so we will pray for him.
[00:17:16] Yeah.
[00:17:25] The Wilson family lost a one-year-old.
[00:17:32] Your next-door neighbor, Danny.
[00:17:37] Wow.
[00:17:38] So Danny, we'll pray for Danny's family.
[00:17:42] Well, happy birthday, Deborah.
[00:17:44] Happy birthday.
[00:17:46] Others?

[00:17:46] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Yeah.

[00:17:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Wow.

[00:18:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Community is the place to be when you need that support, right?
[00:18:09] And grandkids, wow, the best, for sure.
[00:18:13] Others?
[00:18:16] Before we pray, if we have kids who want to go to kids worship, our new director of children's ministry, Melissa.
[00:18:28] And Vicki's going to help today, so you guys can head on to kids worship.
[00:18:33] We give thanks for the way that you will worship as we continue to worship here.
[00:18:38] Would you join me in this prayer?
[00:18:40] Then we'll have a time of silence and close with the Lord's Prayer.
[00:18:46] I am no longer my own but yours.
[00:18:50] Put me to what you will.
[00:18:52] Place me with whom you will.
[00:18:55] Put me to doing.
[00:18:57] Put me to suffering.
[00:18:59] Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, praised for you or criticized for you.
[00:19:08] Let me be full.
[00:19:10] Let me be empty.
[00:19:12] Let me have all things.
[00:19:15] Let me have nothing.
[00:19:17] I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
[00:19:24] And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you are mine and I am yours.
[00:19:35] So be it.
[00:19:37] And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it also be made in heaven.
[00:19:44] Amen.
[00:19:45] Let us continue in the spirit of prayer.
[00:19:56] God, that is a bold prayer.
[00:20:00] We come before you with maybe hearts that feel bold here on the first Sunday of the new year, and maybe hearts that are wandering and questioning and afraid.
[00:20:17] Remind a constant disarray.
[00:20:21] We pray for innocent people
[00:20:24] who get hurt in the name of power we ask for your mercy and your peace and your justice to be in the hearts of all who lead our nations show us your way and give us the courage to walk in it with every neighbor we meet remind us that we are looking
[00:20:54] We offer them in the name of Jesus who taught his followers to pray.
[00:21:14] 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom
[00:21:41] and the power and the glory forever.

[00:22:27] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:23:13] In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
[00:23:32] Amen.
[00:23:43] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:23:50] Amen.
[00:24:12] The Gospel of the Apostles

[00:24:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:25:11] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:25:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The Word of the Lord.

[00:25:59] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:26:22] Amen.
[00:26:24] Noel, Noel, Noel, where art thou?
[00:26:51] Born is the King.
[00:26:52] Born is the King.

[00:27:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
I really wish I could jump and scale that rail sometimes.
[00:27:43] Thank you choir and thanks for letting me be part of that.
[00:27:49] So we have a tradition
[00:27:52] And I think of a tradition as something you've done more than one time.
[00:27:56] So, we have a tradition here at Central where we choose a star word on the first Sunday of every new year.
[00:28:07] It's a time for us to reflect on how the Holy Spirit might be speaking to us and how God might be revealed to us through this word that we choose.
[00:28:19] To begin 2026.
[00:28:20] So in a few minutes, I'm going to invite everybody to come and choose a star word from the bowl.
[00:28:28] But first, I want to have just a little bit of time of devotion.
[00:28:33] and Reflection before you come.
[00:28:37] And I want to share with you a devotion by Hannah Brencher.
[00:28:40] And a colleague shared it with me.
[00:28:43] And you know I'm not one to just use somebody else's devotion.
[00:28:48] I like to write my own stuff.
[00:28:49] But this was so poignant, it stuck with me.
[00:28:52] And I wanted to share it with you as you prepare to come and receive your Star Words.
[00:28:58] So in a spirit of prayer, just lean in and listen for God through this short devotion.
[00:29:05] In Matthew's account of Jesus' birth, wise men from the East come to Jerusalem and ask King Herod, Where is the baby who was born?
[00:29:14] We saw his star rise and we want to go worship him.
[00:29:18] As we read further, we learn how much this birth announcement intimidates King Herod.
[00:29:23] He begins to interrogate the wise men and bids them to go and find the child.
[00:29:28] He tells them he wants to worship the baby when they find him.
[00:29:33] But let's pause for a moment and look back at the whole picture unfolding.
[00:29:37] Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
[00:29:40] The first sign of his birth is a bright star that rises in the sky.
[00:29:45] A birth, then a star.
[00:29:48] A birth, then a star.
[00:29:51] There's no doubt that Mary and Joseph, in the face of great darkness, exhibited remarkable courage and unwavering faith leading up to the birth of Jesus.
[00:30:01] There had to be significant uncertainty and fear on both their parts.
[00:30:05] Before any great light, there is usually some darkness.
[00:30:10] As the prophet Florence and the Machines once sang, it's always darkest before the dawn.
[00:30:17] Do I wish it were this way?
[00:30:19] No, not exactly.
[00:30:21] If I had my way, then there would be no darkness whatsoever.
[00:30:25] But I see the purpose in the darkness.
[00:30:28] I know firsthand what comes out of the dark night.
[00:30:31] It's the resilience of the human spirit, the determination to find light in the darkest of times.
[00:30:39] Today I think about this season and how it's meant to stir feelings of great joy in us.
[00:30:44] There are miracles, lights, gifts to give and receive, and gatherings, but even in all the fa-la-la that we just experienced, there is still so much darkness in our world.
[00:30:57] There is still sickness.
[00:30:59] There is still war.
[00:31:01] There are still hospital beds.
[00:31:04] There is still death, loss, and injustice.
[00:31:08] There is trafficking, unspeakable tragedies.
[00:31:13] There is still grief, still layoffs, still overdosing.
[00:31:19] There is still depression, heartbreak, and unanswered questions.
[00:31:24] The world is so dark that we cannot ignore it just because it's the most wonderful time of the year.
[00:31:31] I find hope in this notion that the story of Jesus begins with darkness and that a great light announces his birth.
[00:31:39] The announcement of Jesus' birth could have begun with any great sign, an army, a parade, horns blaring through the night, and yet God chose a star.
[00:31:52] He chose something simple yet hopeful, something we can all access.
[00:31:58] This choice of a star as a sign of hope makes us all part of the story, all part of the journey towards light, a light shining in the darkness.
[00:32:10] Come in a little closer, all the way back to the book of Isaiah.
[00:32:15] This light was embedded into the story hundreds of years before it even happened through the prophet.
[00:32:21] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
[00:32:24] Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shone.
[00:32:29] It is through Jesus' coming, his shaking up the story, that light pours through and gives us hope that something better is on the way.
[00:32:41] and even closer than that, go back to the very first chapter of Genesis.
[00:32:46] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
[00:32:49] Now the earth was formless and empty.
[00:32:51] Darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
[00:32:58] The word darkness used here isn't the same kind of word you'd use to describe a room with no light or the darkness you encounter when the sun goes down.
[00:33:07] It means misery.
[00:33:09] Death, Sorrow, Destruction, Wickedness The author of this holy scripture says to the reader, Now the earth was formless and empty.
[00:33:18] Something terribly wicked and wrong was over the surface of the deep.
[00:33:24] Before God ever formed anything, the text says something was wrong from the very beginning.
[00:33:29] A strange kind of darkness hovered over the earth's surface.
[00:33:34] Of all the things he could have done or said first to sculpt the earth, he chose to name the one thing that would combat the wicked darkness.
[00:33:46] God declared first, let there be light.
[00:33:51] And there was light.
[00:33:52] His first act of creation was clearing out the darkness.
[00:33:56] Our God is so many things.
[00:33:59] But today I'm rejoicing in this.
[00:34:01] He is a light bringer.
[00:34:03] He speaks light into us.
[00:34:05] He keeps our lamps burning.
[00:34:07] He calls us out of darkness.
[00:34:09] He calls us children of light.
[00:34:12] Remember, great lights only gain power when placed against the darkness.
[00:34:19] And stars, though they're present in the sky at all times, they only have the night to show travelers the way home.
[00:34:32] Stars.
[00:34:34] They dispel the darkness.
[00:34:36] They light the way.
[00:34:37] They provide direction.
[00:34:38] They show us a path.
[00:34:40] It was a star that pierced the darkness and guided the wise ones to Jesus.
[00:34:47] So today as you come and choose your star, there are a couple of rules.
[00:34:53] Sorry, it's just the way it is.
[00:34:56] No peeking.
[00:34:57] That's rule number one.
[00:34:59] No digging around to find the word you want.
[00:35:04] Second rule, no givesies backs.
[00:35:09] No givesies backs.
[00:35:11] Don't trade your star in for a different one.
[00:35:13] You may not understand what it means right now.
[00:35:16] You may not even like the word you choose.
[00:35:18] That's okay.
[00:35:19] Don't you know the wise men felt the same way?
[00:35:23] They took such a risk to follow this brand new star in the sky to who knows where, trying to find the Messiah.
[00:35:32] Whatever you choose, hold on to it.
[00:35:35] And throughout the year, ask God to shed his light on what that word means for you and your spiritual journey with him.
[00:35:46] So as you come, choose a star from the bowl.
[00:35:50] Go in either direction.
[00:35:52] And if you would like to have a magnet to put on the back, I put mine on the fridge.
[00:35:58] I've got them all lined up from the last four Januaries.
[00:36:03] If you'd like to have a magnet, they're laid out here on the altar and you can just pick one up.
[00:36:07] You're invited to stop and pray if you would like.
[00:36:09] If the altar happens to be full, don't not stop because the altar's full.
[00:36:14] Just wait a second.
[00:36:16] Wait for a place to clear and then come and pray.
[00:36:23] I realized as I was preparing for this morning that Central has a star word for 2026.
[00:36:33] And I realized that that word had been sitting on my fridge all year.
[00:36:43] It was Brian's word for last year.
[00:36:47] Invitation.
[00:36:50] And I feel like for our congregation, for our community, that that is the word that is laid out before us as a church.
[00:37:01] To be a place that invites people to Jesus intentionally, with joy, and often.
[00:37:13] So, I've already struggled with God about that word.
[00:37:19] I'm like, I don't know, is that right?
[00:37:22] But I'm going to hold it, like I'm going to invite you to do with your word.
[00:37:27] And remind you all throughout this year that our word for central is invitation.
[00:37:33] What does it mean for us as believers and followers of God to invite other people into this beautiful relationship with Jesus?
[00:37:44] So I invite you to come now, choose a star, and wonder how that word might be God revealing God's self to you.
[00:37:56] Would you come?
[00:42:33] So whether you're excited or disappointed or challenged right now, God is with you.
[00:42:41] May you hold to this word and let it be a source of strength and hope and guidance throughout the coming year.
[00:42:52] So we give our gifts this morning.
[00:42:55] I'm not going to ask you to get up and come again.
[00:42:57] We're going to pass the plates to you this morning.
[00:43:00] So would you give those gifts, starting a new year, with hope in your heart and joy on your face, and may God be praised.

[00:43:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
And like always, whenever I'm doing a special music piece, please sing along if you feel led to do so.
[00:43:26] You might know this one.

[00:43:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Well I've heard a thousand stories of what you think you're like But I'm a tender whisperer of love
[00:43:46] The dead of night and you tell me That you're pleased and that I'm never alone You're a good, good Father It's who you are It's who you are It's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am
[00:44:15] It's who I am, it's who I am I've seen many searching for answers Far and wide, but I know We're all searching for answers Only you provide your answers
[00:44:54] It's who you are It's who you are It's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am It's who I am It's who I am You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways
[00:45:24] You are perfect in all of your ways to us You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways
[00:45:54] Love so undeniable I can hardly speak Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think as you call me Deeper still as you call me
[00:46:26] Deeper still in the love, love, love you're a good, good Father It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are and I'm loved by you It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am and you're a good, good Father
[00:46:55] It's who you are.
[00:46:58] It's who you are.

[00:47:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
It's who you are.
[00:47:03] I'm loved by you.
[00:47:06] It's who I am.
[00:47:09] It's who I am.
[00:47:11] It's who I am.

[00:47:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Matthew 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.
[00:47:49] They asked, Where is the newborn King of the Jews?
[00:47:52] We have seen his star in the east, and we have come to honor him.
[00:47:56] When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him.
[00:48:01] He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born.
[00:48:07] They said in Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote, 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.
[00:48:24] Then Herod secretly called for the Magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared.
[00:48:31] He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search carefully for the child.
[00:48:35] When you found him, report to me, so that I too may go and honor him.
[00:48:41] When they heard the king, they went.
[00:48:42] And look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them, until it stopped and stood over the place where the child was.
[00:48:52] When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.
[00:48:54] They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother.
[00:48:58] Falling to their knees, they honored him.
[00:49:01] Then they opened their treasure chest and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[00:49:08] Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
[00:49:16] This is God's word for God's people.
[00:49:19] Thanks be to God.
[00:49:22] Lord, help us to see your light through your word and guide us
[00:49:32] Each and every step of our journey with you.
[00:49:37] Amen.
[00:49:39] Today's a special day on the church calendar.
[00:49:41] It's a brand new season.
[00:49:43] Christmas is finished, or it finishes on Tuesday.
[00:49:48] And we celebrate Epiphany.
[00:49:50] We remember the journey that the wise men took to find and to worship baby Jesus.
[00:49:57] The word epiphany means to discover something brand new, to shed new light on something.
[00:50:03] It's like an aha moment that changes your future.
[00:50:09] The wise men had followed a star in search of the Messiah.
[00:50:14] With all their knowledge and with all their faith in this new star that had appeared in the heavens, they didn't quite follow the GPS to the right place.
[00:50:26] They get close.
[00:50:28] They go to Jerusalem.
[00:50:30] Surely the king of the Jews would be there, right?
[00:50:33] In the city that is the center of Jewish life?
[00:50:38] So they show up asking the current king where the new king is to be born.
[00:50:46] Not the most politically savvy move for the old wise men for sure.
[00:50:52] They get everybody all stirred up and the chief priests, they have a called committee meeting in the parking lot.
[00:50:59] Yeah, you're supposed to laugh.
[00:51:02] And they send them off to Bethlehem with strict orders to come back and tell Herod, give him a report so that he too can go and worship this new king.
[00:51:16] Corrupt, power-hungry leaders aren't new in the world, are they?
[00:51:20] They've been around for centuries.
[00:51:23] So the king set out to Bethlehem, and the star appears in the sky and guides them right to Jesus.
[00:51:29] They give him gifts fit for a king, and they bow and worship.
[00:51:35] Can you imagine what it must have felt like for them to see the one that the heavens had told them about?
[00:51:46] To realize that this really was true?
[00:51:49] To get to lay eyes on the Savior of the world?
[00:51:57] The wonder of it all, the joy of it all, brings them to their knees in worship.
[00:52:02] It is an aha moment, an epiphany that will change every future day that they live.
[00:52:13] And then,
[00:52:14] Then they're warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they disobey a direct order from King.
[00:52:22] And they head home by a different way.
[00:52:30] God communicates profound messages to many characters in the Bible through dreams.
[00:52:39] And when God is revealed in dreams, He invites the dreamers into brand new realities.
[00:52:47] So to start 2026, we're going to hang out with some folks in the Scripture who heard from God through a dream.
[00:52:56] And we're going to consider this question.
[00:52:58] How is it that God is being revealed to us?
[00:53:04] and calling us to live into God's dream for our lives in this year.
[00:53:13] For the wise men, God's message to them in their dream was to go in a new direction.
[00:53:20] They couldn't retrace their steps.
[00:53:22] They couldn't listen to Herod.
[00:53:24] Jesus would be in danger if they did.
[00:53:28] So they listened to God's revelation and they go home
[00:53:33] By Another Road And I'll tell you, I don't dream much.
[00:53:39] I know they say, you know, you dream and you don't remember and all that.
[00:53:44] But I don't remember dreams very much.
[00:53:46] But I guess God was really working on me as I was preparing for this series because this week I dreamed about Central.
[00:53:54] And I can tell you honestly that that is the first time I have remembered a dream about Central since I came here in 2022.
[00:54:03] I just don't remember dreams.
[00:54:05] But I dreamed about Central.
[00:54:07] And here's my dream.
[00:54:09] It's the closest thing to a vision from God that I think I've ever experienced.
[00:54:14] There were eight babies in the nursery.
[00:54:19] Eight.
[00:54:21] And for some reason the handbell foam was laid out in the nursery.
[00:54:27] And Duane was having a seat there on the handbell foam.
[00:54:32] And there were four babies in the cribs and no place to put the other four.
[00:54:37] And Duane had to get up and move so we could lay those babies on the handbell foam.
[00:54:42] So they'd have some place to be.
[00:54:50] That's a weirdo dream.
[00:54:54] But there's something to it, I believe.
[00:54:59] Is there something in that that tells us how we should be living into this invitation spirit that God has called us to?
[00:55:12] Dreams are unsettling.
[00:55:17] We don't often know what to do with them.
[00:55:19] The wise man's dream was an unsettling thing to them.
[00:55:22] Remember that they had been traveling for months.
[00:55:25] They're in a foreign land and they cannot program the GPS to get the fastest or the most fuel-efficient route home for their camels.
[00:55:35] Paying attention to God's leading through this dream meant a brand new, probably frightening journey.
[00:55:45] that they'd never walked before.
[00:55:49] My, my.
[00:55:51] What a lesson for us, isn't it?
[00:55:54] As followers of the light here on January 4th, 2026 in Mooresville, paying attention to and living into God's dream for us at Central will mean living with the courage of those wise men to go where God leads us next by a new road.
[00:56:16] We can't retrace our steps.
[00:56:17] The future is not in what used to be.
[00:56:20] The future is in front of us and it is brand new and probably frightening to journey into that place that we have never walked before.
[00:56:37] One example.
[00:56:39] If you will buy with me that the church's star word is invitation.
[00:56:44] What if
[00:56:45] What if we set a goal that we invited and welcomed a brand new family, a brand new guest into worship every single Sunday in 2026?
[00:57:03] Every single Sunday.
[00:57:05] How is that gonna happen?
[00:57:08] I can tell you this, it's not gonna happen with just your pastor inviting people.
[00:57:12] It's gonna take every single one of us
[00:57:16] Living into invitation often.
[00:57:20] And our reason for that spirit of invitation is not just to grow a church attendance, but it's to believe deeply that this truth, this joy that these wise men felt should be shared.
[00:57:34] And to believe that the church that we love and the Jesus that we love is something we cannot wait to invite people to be part of.
[00:57:47] And some of us, we've been coming to church for years, and we have never invited anybody to come sit beside us.
[00:57:58] We've got to go by another road, friends.
[00:58:04] And it may be a journey that we have never walked before, but that's okay.
[00:58:09] Because we learn from these wise men that God's dreams send us down new paths with good news.
[00:58:18] Not with empty hands, but with good news.
[00:58:20] The wise men set out for a future on a new path, on an uncertain route, but they go filled, filled with the good news that the Messiah has been born.
[00:58:31] The good news that changes everything and makes every step on that uncertain road worth it.
[00:58:43] They have seen the Messiah.
[00:58:47] Well, friends, we too have seen the Messiah.
[00:58:51] We too have given gifts in His name.
[00:58:53] We too have been brought to our knees in worship at the wonder of it all.
[00:58:58] Do you remember Christmas Eve candlelight?
[00:59:02] We too step into 2026, setting out for a future on a path that is uncertain.
[00:59:10] And we too live in the promise that God's dream sends us down this new path, not empty-handed but with the best news in the world to share.
[00:59:20] Christ has come.
[00:59:25] Jesus the light of the world is with us and he has come to forgive to save to redeem to give life it is good news that is worth embracing for yourself and it's good news worth inviting others to be part of so central as we go into 2026 by another road that we've never traveled before
[00:59:55] Hold on to this truth with courage and with hope.
[00:59:59] The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot extinguish the light.
[01:00:08] The epiphany of our Lord is true.
[01:00:13] It is an aha moment that will change our future if we let it.
[01:00:19] It is good news that changes everything.
[01:00:25] Thanks be to God.
[01:00:28] Amen.
[01:00:32] As we start this new year, we have the blessing of coming to God's table to celebrate.
[01:00:46] You can't start on a new road without some nourishment.
[01:00:54] So we come to this table to find that grace and to find that nourishment.
[01:01:02] We come looking forward, trusting in the light of the world, trusting his presence to light the path before us.
[01:01:12] We come responding to the truth that Jesus invites us to his table just like we are.
[01:01:20] We confess that we have done nothing to deserve a place here.
[01:01:26] We remember, Holy One, that you sent a star to guide wise men to where Jesus was born.
[01:01:32] And in your signs and your witnesses throughout all of time, you have led your people from far places into his marvelous light.
[01:01:43] Let this holy meal lead us anew into your light today.
[01:01:48] We rejoice in God's forgiveness and grace that frees us from sin, lights up our darkness, and makes a brand new way for us.
[01:01:57] And as we gather, we give thanks for that holy night.
[01:02:01] As Jesus gathered around the table with his friends and he took bread, he gave thanks to God and broke it and said, Take and eat.
[01:02:10] This is my body which is given for you.
[01:02:12] Do this in remembrance of me.
[01:02:15] And when the supper was over, he took the cup
[01:02:18] He gave thanks and he shared it with his disciples and said, Take and drink from this, all of you.
[01:02:24] For this is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin.
[01:02:30] Every time you drink it, remember me.
[01:02:33] God, we do remember with thankful hearts.
[01:02:36] And we ask that you would pour out your Holy Spirit on all who are gathered here and on these gifts of bread and cups.
[01:02:44] That they might be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we might be for the world the redeemed body of Christ, sharing his light until he comes again in final victory and we feast at his heavenly table.
[01:02:59] As we come, O God, to receive this nourishment for the journey, we ask for your blessing and we are careful to give you all the praise and all the glory.
[01:03:21] We eat from one loaf because we are one body.
[01:03:26] Thanks be to God.
[01:03:31] And we give thanks over one cup because we are one body.
[01:03:37] Thanks be to God.
[01:03:40] I need five people who are willing to help me serve this morning if you would come forward.
[01:03:49] We do have gluten-free elements if you need those.
[01:03:53] And please know that we practice open communion in the United Methodist Church.
[01:04:01] That means if you are here, you are welcome.
[01:04:07] You don't have to be United Methodist.
[01:04:09] You don't have to be a member of this church.
[01:04:12] If you want to receive, Jesus is the host of this table and he invites you to come.
[01:04:22] We'll receive by intinction, meaning you'll be offered a piece of bread.
[01:04:26] Take that bread, dip it into the cup, and take both elements together.
[01:04:31] Everything is ready.
[01:04:33] Would you come and feast?

[01:05:02] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[01:05:19] Let us pray.
[01:06:05] Let us pray.
[01:06:37] Let us pray.
[01:07:11] ... ... ... ... ...
[01:07:55] The Gospel of the Lord.
[01:08:26] Let us pray.
[01:08:54] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[01:09:23] Amen.

[01:09:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Let us pray.
[01:10:06] God, thank you so much for being so close to us in this holy meal.
[01:10:14] May it be fuel for our journey into this new year, reminding us always that you are near to seek us out, to call us forward, to set us free, to give us life.
[01:10:32] Thank you.
[01:10:35] Amen.
[01:10:36] Would you stand and let's sing as we go.

[01:10:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The kings of Oriental, bearing his we traverse afar, build a fountain, pour a fountain, following yonder star.

[01:11:18] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Oh, star!

[01:11:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
and Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Reconciliation,
[01:12:22] Proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

[01:12:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns the deity nigh.
[01:12:49] Fair and praising voices, praising, worshiping God on high.

[01:12:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
of the Holy Ghost, Star of wonder, Star of light, Star of royal beauty bright, Westward leading, Zero ceiling, Guide us to thy perfect light.
[01:13:27] Praise the life of gathering new, Time, time, waiting, pining, telling,
[01:13:45] Star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Blessed were he in general singing, Highest to thy perfect light.
[01:14:42] Guide us to thy perfect light.

[01:15:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
That is our prayer, isn't it?
[01:15:06] So go in that peace, knowing that God goes before you.
[01:15:11] To lead you into 2026 on a new road.
[01:15:17] May the Lord bless you and keep you.
[01:15:19] May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
[01:15:23] May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you His peace now and forevermore.
[01:15:29] Amen.

[01:15:58] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.