If you feel called to contribute to the church and its mission, you can mail your donation to the address below, or you can make it through Tithe.ly by clicking on the GIVE button to the left.
Central United Church of Christ, 118 W. Ashley, Jefferson City, MO 65101

The Church Council has made the decision to close the church for in-person services and other activities at this time. With the rise in COVID cases in the community, the Council feels it best to return to virtual services. However, these services will be different than in th the Spring. The services will be livestreamed from the sanctuary on Sunday mornings on our website at our normal worship time of 10:00am. Rev. Scott will be preaching live, Shirley Klein will be on hand to provide live music, and Josh has graciously agreed to run the audio board and livestream equipment, with Allen providing technical assistance. A recording of the service will then be uploaded to Facebook as is done now. Audio CDs and bulletins will once again be made available for those members without internet access.

Once again, Central UCC has made the decision to halt in-person church services at this time, and we pray that everyone stays safe during this difficult time

Notice from the National UCC and our Conference Minister:
“While we are hesitant to raise the alarm and/or overreact, recent events compel us to inform you about possible threats that have come to our attention.  There are reports that ‘liberal’ churches will become targets of possible attack in the coming week, with the dates of Jan. 17 and Jan, 20 featured.more prominently.”

While the ‘liberal’ moniker does not describe Central in particular, it could describe the UCC generally, and the national leadership wanted to make us aware of any potential issue.  Our church is closed, which limits any potential interactions. 
In addition, the church office will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 20

Women’s Fellowship Workday on Feb. 9 has been canceled

The child presented for Baptism today is Molly Reese Stafford, born August 25, 2020.  Molly is the daughter of Kirk and Danielle Stafford, and sister to Kasen.  Our congratulations to the family on this blessed day.

JANUARY 17, 2021
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE         “How Brightly Shines the Morning Star”               – Pachelbel

OPENING HYMN   “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”

O Morning Star, how fair and bright

Thou beamest forth in truth and light!

O Sovereign meek and lowly!

Thou Root of Jesse, David’s Son,

My Lord and Master, Thou hast won

My heart to serve Thee solely!

Thou art holy,

Fair and glorious, All victorious,

Rich in blessing,

Rule and might o’er all possessing.

Thou heavenly Brightness! Light divine!

O deep within my heart now shine,

And make Thee there an altar!

Fill me with joy and strength to be

Thy member, ever joined to Thee

In love that cannot falter;

Toward Thee longing

Doth possess me; Turn and bless me;

Here in sadness,

Eye and heart long for thy gladness!

CALL TO WORSHIP

In the shadows of the night, God calls us.

Here I am, for you called me.

In the daylight, God calls us.

Here I am, for you called me.

God calls to each of us by name.

Here I am, for you called me.

GATHERING PRAYER

Creating God, how deeply you know us. In the mystery of your love, you see who we are and who we might become. Our bodies are your creation; they are wonderfully made. Our minds reflect your handiwork. Our spirits are a gift from you. You call us by name and invite us to follow. Lead us now into the depts of your love. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

John 1:43-51

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM – Molly Reese Stafford

SPECIAL MUSIC    “Precious Lord”      – Soloist: Roger Hager; Pianist: Gary Sanders

SERMON                            Rev. Dr. Judith Scott

THE NUNC DIMITTIS CREED

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”  KJV

The well-known “Nunc Dimittis” was spoken as an answer to the personal message delivered by the Holy Spirit to Simeon. Simeon was a devout, but otherwise ordinary man, not a priest or a prophet. He was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not taste death until after he had seen the infant Jesus, and was led to the Temple at the exact time, on the same day, that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus appeared for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of the Levitical law. Simeon thus fulfilled his own prophesized event as well as being one of two witnesses to fulfillment of the law by the Holy Family. This passage often is read just before interment at funerals.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

OFFERTORY SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 10:24  “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.”

CLOSING HYMN   “Brightest and Best”

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;

Star of the East, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,

Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;

Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,

Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE                “Prelude in G Minor”                              – Bach

Our WORSHIP is ended…our SERVICE now begins.

*************************
(All Hymns and Songs reprinted under CCLI)