Preparation/SilentMeditation

“Let’s make one resolution this year: to anchor ourselves to God’s grace.”
– Chuck Swindoll

PRELUDE

LIGHTING OF CHRIST CANDLE

CALL TO GATHERING
Liturgist: For the lessons learned, pains that strengthened us, struggles that mold us and for the grace of God that sustains us…

People: God of life, we thank you.

Liturgist: As we come close to the end of 2020, drawing near to the newness of life and to the surprises it brings, may the God, ever-loving, accompany us through 2021…

People: Abiding God, we trust in you.

Liturgist: Like these green shoots and fresh leaves, we long to start a life anew and we long to be guided by You…

People: We come before You o Lord, ever-praising and praying for a new beginning!

Liturgist: Let’s celebrate the new life in Jesus Christ, the hope of all the world. Faithfully and collectively let us celebrate and rejoice!

HYMN OF PRAISE:
“Come, Christians Join to Sing” HOFG,342
Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, before his throne rejoice;

Praise is his gracious choice. Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high, Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!

He is our Guide and Friend; to us he’ll condescend;
His love shall never end. Alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet our Christ again, Alleluia! Amen!

Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore, His goodness we’ll adore, Singing forevermore, “Alleluia! Amen!”

Opening Prayer (All)
O God of life and of new beginnings,
we come into this holy space asking for Your blessing, only to find out that the abundance of Your love is already around us. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. As your gathered people, we pray that through Your empowering love and sustaining grace, we may become a community flourished in love and thriving in mission as we are ever-united in You. Please be with us Lord we pray, guide us and bless us;
mold us and move us, in the name of Christ,
to whom our hope is anchored, Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION
Liturgist: Eternal God, who can make all things new, we humbly bring before you the record of our lives in the year now ending.

People: When life has been good to us, we give you thanks and praise.

Liturgist: When we have been good to others,
may our reward be your smiling face.

People: When we have fallen short of your good pleasure, forgive us and free us from our sinful past.

All: Holy God, cleanse us by your mercy, guide us by your truth, fill us with your love, and lead us forward in hope, through the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Silent Moment of Confession (with soft music)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Psalms 103:2-4)
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion…”

Beloved in Christ,
let’s take hold of this beautiful promise
of forgiveness and restoration. Restored and forgiven, let us also forgive and be agents of renewalto our families and communities, Amen.

Response: Thank you Lord for saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

COMMUNITY PRAYER
Song Response:
“Forward Through the Ages” HFJ,267
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
Move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
Gifts in diff’ring measure, hearts of one accord,
Manifold the service, One the sure reward;

Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
Move the faithful spirits at the call divine.

SCRIPTURE READING
Song Response
“I Love To Tell The Story” HFJ,309
I love to tell the story, it’s pleasant to repeat,
what seems each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation, from God’s own holy word!

ANTHEM

MEDITATION

CALL TO OFFERING: (Liturgist)
By God’s grace, we rejoice to share in the church’s life of mission and ministry;
and now we are called to offer our talents
and material possessions to God, through the church. With faithfulness and joy, let us offer our gifts…

Offering of Life and Labor

DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
With joyful praise, we promise to use these gifts for good, O generous God. We promise to use these resources in furthering Your Kingdom, in love and mercy for others, for the glory of Your name, Amen.

HYMN OF FAITH:
“We Look Behind at All You’ve Done”
(Tune: All Creature os Our God and King)

We look behind at all You’ve done.
We trace the path on which we’ve come.
Holy Father, You are mercy!
Lord, everywhere we see Your hand,
The pattern of Your loving plan.
Holy Father, You are mercy!
Holy Father, You are mercy!
You are mercy!

Through all the wanderings of our lives,
You daily lead us in the light.
Loving Father, You are faithful!
Through all the sin we cannot hide,
You claim us as Your holy bride.
Loving Father, You are faithful!
Loving Father, You are faithful!
You are faithful!

We look ahead, O Lord, and see
A glimpse of all that is to be.
We exalt You! Alleluia!
Almighty God, Eternal Truth,
All life is always only You!
We exalt You! Alleluia!
We exalt You! Alleluia!
Alleluia!

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

BENEDICTION
Forward, let us go with renewed faith and strength…Onward, let us move with hope anew…Beloved, this new year…in God’s abiding presence, working love and bountiful mercy
May we ever dwell, in the name of the Triune God: Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,
Amen.

Postlude