Before the worship service begins, please turn off your cell phone. God may be calling YOU, but probably not on your cell phone. Please turn off your cell phone, or put it on vibrate.

We are so glad you are here! Welcome! We are so glad you are here!

CALL TO REFLECTION PRELUDE: In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst

PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

* HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful # 41 in the Blue Hymnal

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, Born the King of angels!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation! Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all Glory in the highest!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS – (in unison)

We confess, O God, that we are not ready to come down from the Christmas “high.” So much time was spent in gathering, wrapping, and delivering gifts; in preparing for family gatherings and times with friends; in decorating our homes.

But somehow, right after Christmas Day, we feel a letdown But somehow, right after Christmas Day, we feel a letdown. We don’t want that “high” to be over. We want to feel the “peace on earth” feeling, but we let it go.

ready to be people of compassion and hope. We push it aside when we begin our journey of complaining and blaming others for everything that is going wrong. We ignore the blessing of the gift when we refuse to help those in need. Shake us up, Lord! Get us ready to be people of compassion and hope.

Wake us up, Lord! Help us see the beauty and possibilities of peace around us. Fill us up, Lord! Fill us to overflowing with joy. Let our words, our thoughts, and our actions speak of your love for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

A TIME OF SILENCE  

Assurance of Forgiveness

Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

A TIME WITH THE Children

The News of the Community

Following worship, please join us on the patio for juice and coffee. Visitors, to First Church! Following worship, please join us on the patio for juice and coffee.

Please date, fill out, and pass the red Friendship Register to your neighbor.

The church and Learning Centers’ offices will be closed Monday, January 1st, for New Year’s Day.

Friday, January 5th, 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Share-A-Meal will meet in the church kitchen on January 6th at 11:00 a Share-A-Meal will meet in the church kitchen on January 6th at 11:00 a.m. to prepare lunch for the homeless in our area.

A Deacon’s Fund offering will be envelope provided in your bulletin. collected next Sunday. Please use the envelope provided in your bulletin.

hygiene supplies and gently used or new sneakers and Just a reminder — we continue to collect hygiene supplies and gently used or new sneakers and blue jeans for the Jubilee Center. The Center has an urgent need for non-perishable food items.

ANTHEM A Carol of Hope Don Besig

Long-Awaited Gift

Thanksgiving for the Word

O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

Scripture Reading— Luke 2:22-40 (New Testament, Page 86 in pew Bible)  

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”),

and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now 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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

Guided 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

Then 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 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—

and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There 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,

then as a widow to the age of eighty-four then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.

At 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.  

 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Long-Awaited Gift

* This We Believe The Apostles’ Creed (in unison) This We Believe (in unison) The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the -dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn of Commitment - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized # 70 The News of the Community (Sing 2 times) Holy Spirit, come to us, Kindle in us the fire of your love. Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us. Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer - (Debtors version) (front of Hymnal, pg. 16) Response - Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.

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; This We Believe (in unison) The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the -dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn of Commitment - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized # 70 The News of the Community (Sing 2 times) Holy Spirit, come to us, Kindle in us the fire of your love. Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us. Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer - (Debtors version) (front of Hymnal, pg. 16) Response - Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.

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. This We Believe (in unison) The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the -dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn of Commitment - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized # 70 The News of the Community (Sing 2 times) Holy Spirit, come to us, Kindle in us the fire of your love. Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us. Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer - (Debtors version) (front of Hymnal, pg. 16) Response - Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.

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. This We Believe (in unison) The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the -dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn of Commitment - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized # 70 The News of the Community (Sing 2 times) Holy Spirit, come to us, Kindle in us the fire of your love. Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us. Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer - (Debtors version) (front of Hymnal, pg. 16) Response - Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly *Hymn Infant Holy, Infant Lowly # 37 in the Blue Hymnal

Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging Angels singing, Noels ringing, Tidings bringing: Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping; Shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new Flocks were sleeping; Shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new. Saw the glory, heard the story, Tidings of a Gospel true. Thus rejoicing, Free from sorrow, Praises voicing Greet the morrow: Christ the Babe was born for you.

The Prayers of the People

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace.

The Lord’s Prayer (Debtors version)

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. Forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. Amen.

Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Melt me, Response Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Fall afresh on me.

OFFERING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS (Visitors, in the pew rack you will find a Guest Information card. Please complete the card, then place it in the offering plate.)  

Gentle Carols of Bethlehem ANTHEM Gentle Carols of Bethlehem arr. Joseph Martin

* The Response of Praise — Doxology ( #593) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Offering of Prayer (in unison) Blessed are you, God of all creation; through your goodness we have these gifts to share. Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom. Blessed be God forever. Amen.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing * HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing # 31 in the Blue Hymnal

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!“ Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!“ Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die. Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!“

Congregational Response: * CHARGE AND BLESSING - Congregational Response: God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, uphold you, With a Shepherd’s care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again. *Charge and Blessing Congregational Response: God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, uphold you, With a Shepherd’s care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again. *Postlude - Morning Has Broken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. H. Royce Eckhardt ~ ~ ~ Lay Reader - Marilyn McIntosh The flowers in the sanctuary are given by Jerry & Judy Gensel in memory of Jerry’s brother, Phil. LAST WEEK’S VITAL STATISTICS: Attendance: 146 AMOUNT RECEIVED AMOUNT NEEDED Offering: Operations $2,810 $5,361 Additional Income: Christmas Offering 275 Deficit 5 Major Repairs 100

Good Christian Men, Rejoice! Postlude Good Christian Men, Rejoice!  Arr. Gordon Young