Sunday December 29, 2024 - Bulletin
Dec 29, 2024
First Sunday after Christmas
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 148)
One: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
All: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
One: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
All: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
One: Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
All: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
One: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together!
All: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven. Praise the Lord!
*HYMN # 23 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Merciful God, we have been told to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience - and yet we can be unkind and proud, impatient and pushy. Forgive us, LORD. We have been told to bear with one another and to forgive one another as you have forgiven us — yet we often seek to be forgiven, without forgiving others. Pardon our selfishness. We are told to clothe ourselves in love which will bind everything together in perfect harmony, and yet we find ourselves in dispute and speaking ill of one another. Grant us wisdom; Grant us thankfulness. Help us to not lose sight of your Son — for he is the way, the truth and the life everlasting. Amen.
One: Now that we have confessed as a body, let us take the truths that have troubled our hearts to God silently. Let us not be worried about the awkwardness of silence, as we take some time to focus on speaking with our God.
SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
MUSICAL OFFERING
EPISTLE READING Colossians 3:12-17
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:41-52
SERMON “I Thought You Had Him!” Rev. Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN # 49 “Once in Royal David’s City”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. Let us offer them with joy in our hearts and a deep sense of gratitude.
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
Gracious God, thank you for sending us the amazing gift of your Son, Jesus Christ — who is the Light of the World. May the gifts that we offer today be used to share the light of Jesus Christ even into the darkest corners of the community so that the hearts of those who come to know will be filled with the deepest joy and comfort; and a peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
*HYMN #29 “Go, Tell it on the Mountain”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE