PRELUDE

LIGHTING OF CHRIST CANDLE

GREETINGS

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: When Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph,

Response: God is there.

Leader: When they present Jesus at the temple,

Response: God is there.

Leader: When Simeon holds Jesus in his arms,

Response: God is there.

Leader: When Anna recognizes Jesus as the answer to prayer,

Response: God is there

Leader: This very morning,

People: God is here.

Leader: In the future we cannot see,

Response: God is there. Let us worship God!

INVOCATION
O God, in the sweetness of the story we tell today, the encounter of old and young–Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus to the elders–
We feel the movement of your Spirit making all things new. Awake us to your presence in this moment As we seek Christ in our midst: Let us recognize God-with-us, A light to the nations, your glory revealed. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen .

HYMN OF PRAISE: “Oh worship the King”
Oh worship the King, all glorious above;
oh gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love,
our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise.

Oh tell of God’s might, oh sing of God’s grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is God’s path on the wings of the storm.

The earth, with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, thy power hath founded of old,
hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air; it shines in the light;
thy mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, De fender, Redeemer and Friend.

O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
while angels delight to hymn thee above,
thy ransomed creation, in glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to thy praise.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Leader: Holy God, we know that you have been present to us throughout all of history, even throughout our own histories. We know you will be with us in our future. Yet often we don’t live as if we know that. As Simeon recognized in Jesus the salvation of his people, we recognize in Jesus’ Way our own wholeness and health, yet we often fail to follow. As Anna recognized in Jesus the redemption of her people, we recognize in Jesus God’s saving grace for us, yet we often fail to rejoice and to share this good news.

All: Forgive us, make us wise and joyful and strong so that we live in the understanding of your never ending love. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Minister)
The scriptures promise that God will make all things new. As God makes the year new, may we also be made new by God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus. Amen.

Response: “Thank you Lord”
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

CHURCH CONCERNS

PASTORAL PRAYER
Response: “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”

SCRIPTURE READING

ANTHEM

MESSAGE

CALL TO OFFERING
God, you call us to give as we have received in this Christmas Season when you have shared your Child with us, help us to share our blessing with those in need.

OFFERING OF TITHES , PLEDGES AND OTHER OFFERING

OFFERTORY SONG

DEDICATION PRAYER (In unison)
God of Vision,
Take these offerings of money
and turn them into vision;
vision of all people fed,
vision of all people safe,
vision of all people housed,
vision of all people educated. Amen.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

INVITATION

HYMN OF PREPARATION:
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” [HFJ 256]
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descending,
Our full homage to demand.

CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS

SHARING

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

HYMN OF DEDICATION
“Count Your Blessings” [HFJ 221]
(EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY)

When upon life’s billows
you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged,
thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings,
name them one by one,
And it will surprise you
what the Lord hath done.

Refrain: Count your blessings,
name them one by one,
Count your blessings,
see what God hath done!
Count your blessings,
name them one by one,
And it will surprise you
what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened
with a load of care?
Does the cross seem
heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings,
every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing
as the days go by.

When you look at others
with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised
you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings.
Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven,
nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict
whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened,
God is over all;
Count your many blessings,
angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you
to your journey’s end.

CLOSING PRAYER

BENEDICTION
Send us into the world refreshed in hope,
Awake, alert, attuned to your presence
ready to join your work of blessing for all.
Amen.