Feast of the Epiphany
A Service of Ordination
Bob Veile, Jeanette Veile, Gabriel Martinez
January 6th, 2026

Opening Acclamation
I will make you as a light for the nations,
That my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Processional
Come Thou Fount (Robert Robinson)

Come, thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.

The Presentation of the Candidates
Danny Bryant, Bishop in the Church of God, on behalf of the clergy and people of the Order of Berrigan and Day, we present to you Bob Veile, Jeanette Veile, and Gabriel Martinez to be ordained deacons in Christ's holy catholic Church.

Have they been selected in accordance with the canons of this Church? And do you believe their manner of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry?

We certify to you that they have satisfied the requirements of the canons, and we believe them to be qualified for this order.

Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?

We are willing and ready to do so; and we solemnly declare that we do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and we do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Free Fellowhip.

Dear friends in Christ, you know the importance of this ministry, and the weight of your responsibility in presenting Bob, Jeanette, and Gabriel for ordination to the sacred order of deacons. Therefore if any of you know any impediment or crime because of which we should not proceed, come forward now, and make it known.

Is it your will that Bob, Jeanette, and Gabriel be ordained deacons?
It is.

Will you uphold them in this ministry?
We will.

The Litany for Ordinations
In peace let us pray to the Lord.

God the Father,
Have mercy on us.

God the Son,
Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

We pray to you, Lord Christ.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the Day of your Coming, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all members of your Church in their vocation and ministry, that they may serve you in a true and godly life, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For Danny Bryant, our Presiding Bishop, and for all bishops, priests, and deacons, that they may be filled with your love, may hunger for truth, and may thirst after righteousness, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For those in positions of public trust, that they may serve justice and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.


The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Almighty and everliving God, you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Ministry of the Word

First Lesson                       Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
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.
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; they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
    and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms.
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.
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.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm               Psalm 72

Give the king your justice, O *God,
and your righteousness to a king's *son.
May he judge your people with *righteousness
and your poor with *justice.

May the mountains yield prosperity for the *people,
and the hills, in *righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the *people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the o*ppressor.

May he live while the sun en*dures
and as long as the moon, throughout all gene*rations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown *grass,
like showers that water the *earth.

In his days may righteousness *flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no *more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him *tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring *gifts.

May all kings fall down be*fore him,
all nations give him *service.
For he delivers the needy when they *call,
the poor and those who have no *helper.

He has pity on the weak and the *needy
and saves the lives of the *needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their *life,
and precious is their blood in his *sight.

Glory be to the Father and to the *Son,
and to the Holy *Spirit.
As i was in the be*ginning,
is now and ever shall be world without end. A*men. 

Second Lesson                  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.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

The Gospel Reading          Matthew 2:1-12

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

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 Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Gospel Acclamation

O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Homily          

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
+ the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

The Examination of the Deacons
My brothers and sisters, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.

As deacons in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. You are to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.

My brothers and sisters, do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to the life and work of a deacon?
We believe we are so called.

Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility?
We do.

Will you respect and be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your bishop?
We will.

Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures?
We will.

Will you look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need?
We will.

Will you do your best to pattern your life in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people?
We will.

Will you in all things seek not your glory but the glory of the Lord Christ?
We will.

May the Lord by his grace uphold you in the service he lays upon you.
Amen.

The Consecration of the Deacons
Trinity Song (Sandra McCracken)

Holy Father, Son and Spirit
Holy Communion, Three in One

Come with your peace, with your invitation
Bind us together in holy Love.

O God, most merciful Father, we praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ, who took on himself the form of a servant, and humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. We praise you that you have highly exalted him, and made him Lord of all; and that, through him, we know that whoever would be great must be servant of all. We praise you for the many ministries in your Church, and for calling these your servants to the order of deacons.

Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to Bob, Jeanette, and Gabriel; fill them with grace and power, and make them deacons in your Church.

Make them, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant, to observe the discipline of Christ. Let their lives and teachings so reflect your commandments, that through them many may come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be served but to serve, may these deacons share in Christ's service, and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Receive this Bible as the sign of your authority to proclaim God's Word and to assist in the ministration of his holy Sacraments.

The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Song of Preparation
How Can I Keep From Singing (Robert Lowry)

My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing!

What though the tempest ‘round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness ‘round me close, songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love prevails in heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing!

When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing!
To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging;
When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing!

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love prevails in heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing!

Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise him, all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen

About Communion
On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Jesus.

Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.

Celebrating at the Lord’s Table
Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ our risen high priest; make yourself known in the breaking of bread.
Amen.

The 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.

Father, Lord of all creation, we praise you for your goodness and your love. When we turned away you did not reject us. You came to meet us in your Son, welcomed us as your children and prepared a table where we might feast with you. In Christ you shared our life that we might live in him and he in us.

He opened wide his arms upon the cross and, with love stronger than death, he made the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Lord Jesus Christ, our redeemer, on the night before you died you came to the table with your friends. Taking bread, you gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

Lord Jesus, we bless you: you are the bread of life.

At the end of supper you took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me.

Lord Jesus, we bless you: you are the true vine.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ:
Dying, you destroyed our death, rising, you restored our life; Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Holy Spirit, giver of life, come upon us now; may this bread and wine be to us the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.

As we eat and drink these holy gifts make us, who know our need of grace, one in Christ, our risen Lord.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity: with your whole Church throughout the world we offer you this sacrifice of thanks and praise and lift our voice to join the song of heaven, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Thanks be to you, our God, for your gift beyond words.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, so we pray:

The Lord’s Prayer          

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.

The Breaking of the Bread
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We being many are one body, for we all share in one bread.

The Invitation
Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Remember that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Communion Music
Take My Life and Let It Be (John W. Peterson, Frances Ridley Havergal)

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be,
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.

Narrow Little Road (Mo Leverett)

I believe in the love of God
It is an orphan's wildest dream
It is a narrow little road
It is an ever-widening desert stream

Oh I, and I
I will leave this road
For the narrow

It is portrayed in the bread and wine
Let it fortify my bones
It is more than just a sign
It is the fountain from that desert stone

Oh I, and I
I will leave this road
For the narrow

It is the path where the humble go
It is the narrow not the broad
It is the pathway down the hill
To the graveyard of the living God

Oh I, and I
I will leave this road
For the narrow

The love of God is the hymn of hope
Let the needy join the throng
Let the widow hear and cope
Let the crippled rise to sing this song

Oh I, and I
I will leave this road
For the narrow

The Great Silence

The Prayer After Communion
Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that Bob, Jeanette, and Gabriel may be to us effective examples in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with them, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his face toward you, and give you peace. And the blessing of God, in the name of the + Father, Son, and Spirit be with you now and remain with you always.

The Recessional
Here I Am Lord (Daniel Schutte, John Weissrock, and Michael Pope)

I, the Lord of the sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.

I who have made the stars of the night,
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of the snow and rain,
I have born my people’ pain
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.

I will break their heart’s of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

The Dismissal
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.