Worship Service Bulletin
A Service for the Lord’s Day
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Christmas in July)
(*Please stand as you are able)
The Instrumental Prelude and time for Meditation
Pastoral Greeting, Rev. Hana Elliott
*Call to Worship:
Leader: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
Leader: For a child has been born for us, a Son has been given to us.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
Leader: He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
Leader: To us is born in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
Leader: And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
People: Glory to God in the highest!
*Hymn: #133 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
*Call to Confession: (Titus 2:11-12)
*Prayer of confession, In Unison
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord.
*Assurance of Forgiveness: (Titus 2:14)
Christ our Savior gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from our sin and claim us as his own people. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
*The Gloria, In Unison
Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, Is now and ever shall be, world without end.
*Passing of the Peace: (from A Wee Worship Book, 5th Incarnation)
The angels said it to startled shepherds and Jesus said it to frightened followers. And now these words that come from heaven are shared to make us whole and make us one: Peace be with you. And also with you.
Prayer for Illumination:
Children’s Time
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Message: “What a Mess”
Second Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-5
Hymn #143 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Third Scripture Reading: Luke 2:6-7
Hymn #128 “Away in a Manger”
Fourth Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-12
Hymn #122 “There’s a Song in the Air”
Fifth Scripture Reading: Luke 2:13-14
Hymn #132 “Angles We Have Heard on High”
*Affirmation of Faith: (by Bruce Prewer, www.bruceprewer.com)
I believe in God whose light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never smother it. I believe that on a night in Bethlehem there was born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. I believe in the Word who has become incarnate, our very flesh and blood, yet full of grace and truth. I believe in the blessed appearing of the salvation of our God, that is for the happiness of all people. I believe in his name as Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of peace; Of the increase of his rule and of his unique peace, there will be no end. The zeal of the God of hosts will do this. This I surely believe! Amen.
Call to Offering: (John 1:16)
Offering of our Volunteer Mission Hours
If you have completed any volunteer mission hours this week, fill out a slip of paper about them, and come forward to drop one piece of money (any size coin) in the birthday jar for each hour completed, and place your slip of paper in the offering plate. Monetary gifts may be placed in the offering plates by the door to the sanctuary or in the narthex.
Prayer of Dedication:
God of mystery and might, we behold your glory in the face of your Son, Jesus Christ. By your Spirit, make our hearts burn with thanksgiving, that we may give as we have received. Let our whole lives be gifts of praise to you, God of love and peace. Amen.
Doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving & Intercession:
…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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For this is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Choral Response:
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen.
*Hymn #139 “Go, Tell It on the Mountains”
*Charge & Blessing:
*Choral Response: “Joy to the World!”
Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
*The Choral Amen, In Unison
Amen, Amen, Amen.