Happy 2022! May God bless you and your family with the gifts of heaven and earth this year. Welcome to Grace at Home. Due to severe weather, in-person service will not take place today. Grace Community Christian Church will share in worship online only this morning.

Happy Epiphany! The Epiphany Sunday resources below open the way to recognize the “manifestation” or “showing” of Jesus as holy after he was born. In Matthew 2, we hear the story of travelers from the east bringing gifts to Jesus. Luke 2 describes the responses of the shepherds. Below are worship resources to sustain and strengthen our faith. Click on the pictures below to access the video content. Scriptures and prayers are located below the links.
"The Glory of Christmas: The Wise Man"
(video for reflection)
"Hark The Herald Angels Sing"
(Opening song)
"The Magi"
Children's Worship Moment
"Great Are You Lord"
(song of reflection)

"We are Disciples of Christ"
(Video about Disciples identity and community)
"In the name of Jesus:
Bold faith and presence in 2022"
(Sermon by Pastor Yvonne Gilmore)
Gifts of generosity and grace
You may give gifts, tithes, and offerings online below or mail in a check to Grace Community Christian Church.

Thank you for your heartfelt gifts and generous support. Thank you for making space for Grace to be shared between, among, and beyond our walls.

Your faithful tithes and offerings make a difference. We are grateful for your ministry.
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We are a part of something BIGGER...than ourselves, than time, than darkness. We are a part of God's movement for wholeness in this new time. Let us give in gratitude and commitment.

With the onslaught of Amazon boxes behind us, and the memory of “perfect” gifts fresh with us, we come to this first Sunday of a new year.  Did you write down new year resolutions?  Or, at least THINK about what you want to improve in your own life?

How about a resolution to give something of yourself and/or your resources EVERY day to build up God’s Realm on earth (“as it is in heaven”)?  It could be giving to a neighbor, a service organization, or here, through the life of this congregation. Or perhaps you have a “noisy” offering of change (i.e. coins) to contribute to a neighbor in need. Your time, your talent, your treasure; all are welcome!

For THIS day, we invite you to begin the new year with your own decision to make a daily offering to God and God’s Realm!  

Let’s start here and now: will you offer your first fruits to the Lord this year? Will you offer your tithes for the on-going work of our congregation?


Offering prayer

Generous God, for all these gifts, tithes and offerings, we give you thanks!  Please accept them, bless each giver, and multiply these resources, that we might be equipped to share Good News today and every day. Help us be molded into generous followers of Jesus, willing to share our gifts, even as the Magi did so long ago. Amen.
Click here to give online using Paypal or your credit card
Opening Prayer

God who ever and always shows up, 
you never give up, so today we thank you for bringing us to this new year, and blessing us by continuing to light up the dark places of our lives and of this world.

We’ve been busy; many things we wanted to do for Christmas, and then for New Year’s!  
2022 is now upon us, and your light guides us forward in this new year. Help us to place our trust in your guiding care. Walk with us, God, and renew us, by the remembrance of the birth of Jesus, and the anticipation of your Spirit calling us into the future. Accept our praise and lead us on! Amen.
Epiphany Prayer

By light and word, by presence and prayer, through the mystery of love and ministry, you come to us, so we can hear well enough
to see your songs all around us.

Through grace and truth, you teach us, so we come to know how grace alive in us is the gift we can offer to others.

In promise and hope, you call us, trusting that we will accept the joy delivered to us and count on the fulfillment of your dreams for us and for all creation.

As we face fear and uncertainty, enable us to walk as people of hope and service. As we face new possibilities, enable us to walk with wisdom and courage. As we face the force of sin in our lives, enable us to change and love as redeemed people that receive and give the gift of forgiveness.

All this we pray,
God in Community, Holy in One,
as we speak the words
Jesus teaches us to say together,
Our Father . . .
Some people write C+M+B+2022 in chalk above their doors as a way to express "May Christ Bless this House"
Scripture
Luke 2:15-21 (The Message)
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.
19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

21 When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
12 Days of Presence and Prayer

As we prepare to greet 2022 and face continued challenges to the health and safety of our communities, may the love and presence of God move among us in powerful ways through 12 days of prayer and presence in the service of our church and the surrounding community.

For 12 days in a row (beginning December 25 to January 5), please join us in praying on six days and sharing the presence of Christ in unique ways on six days, according to the list above.
Grace Community Christian Church
2770 Montgomery Road
Aurora, IL 60504
www.graceccc.org
630.898.7990