First Sunday of Christmas CALL TO WORSHIP P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin. Silence is kept for reflection. P: God of life, C: you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen. P: Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In + Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God. C: Amen. HYMN “In His Temple Now Behold Him” PRAYER OF THE DAY “The Year Ahead” May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding us from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening us to bear it, as it comes; Not by making our path easy, But by making us sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from us, But by taking fear from our heart; Not by granting us unbroken sunshine, But by keeping our face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making our life always pleasant, But by showing us when people and their causes need us most, and by making us anxious to be there to help. God's love, peace, hope and joy to us for the year ahead. C: Amen. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. HYMN “The Bells of Christmas” Instrumental ANNUAL EXAMEN The daily Examen is a prayer practice that originated in 1522 by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is a way to look back on your day and see God at work in the big and small things that took place. Today we will take some time to do an Annual Examen. This is likely a new practice for you. And spiritual practices…take practice. Follow this link for a guided Annual Examen by Becky Eldredege: https://soundcloud.com/beldredge98/annual-examen?utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=social_sharing&utm_medium=widgetutm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fbeldredge98%2Fannual-examen Read more about this prayer tool at BeckyEldredge.com/category/examen/ The Examen ends by saying the Lord’s Prayer LORD’S PRAYER C: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION after each petition P: As children of God and heirs of the promise, let us pray to the Lord. P: For the holy church of God, that all who have been baptized into Christ may shine like the dawn, bear witness to the Good News of Jesus, and light the way of salvation in Jesus’ name, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For the nations of the earth, that governments and those in authority may protect the vulnerable, shelter the oppressed, and pursue the way of peace, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For our town [Ruskin] and for all places of human interaction and livelihood, that kindness may abound, compassion prevail, and harmony endure, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For the planet earth, our home, that we may honor her gifts, respect her limitations, and protect her resources, let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: For those troubled with illness, hardship, or conflict, that they may receive healing for their bodies, release from their burdens, and mending of their brokenness. (We pray especially for Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, and Eileen.) Let us pray to the Lord: Loving God, C: hear our prayer. P: Hear us, O God, for our eyes have seen your salvation. Let your light shine through us and fill the world with the radiance of your love revealed in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns in glory. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church P: God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. C: Amen. BENEDICTION P: God bless you and keep you, + Jesus grant you grace and truth, and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts, now and forever. C: Amen. HYMN “Cold December Flies Away” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Present! So that you can better love and serve God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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