1. 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.

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

3. arr. Charity Book Putnam
CALL TO REFLECTION
PRELUDE:
A Christmas Medley
arr. Charity Book Putnam

4. Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.
16th Century Poet

5. Round our restlessness
And I smiled to think God’s greatness flowed around our incompleteness,
Round our restlessness
His rest….
Rhyme of the Duchess,
E.B. Browning

6. Most of us come to the church by a means the church does not allow.
Flannery O’Connor

7. In today’s culture, a person’s religious conversion is better viewed as a dynamic, organic, messy journey – complete with detours and dead ends and back alleys and U-turns – then as a moment that triggers a series of key decisions.
Dave Gibbons,
The Monkey and the Fish

8. but a hospital for sinners.
The church is not
a museum for saints
but a hospital for sinners.
Morton Kelsey

9. It is often said that the Church is a crutch.
Of course, it’s a crutch. What make you think
you don’t limp?
William Sloan Coffin

10. The church must be forever building, and always decaying, and always
being restored.
T.S. Eliot

11. The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians –  

12. when they are somber and joyless, when they are
self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.
Sheldon Vanauken,
A Severe Mercy

13. M. Craig Barnes, Searching For Home
Since the church finds its life in Christ, he is at its center, and a church defined by its center doesn’t have to worry about the boundaries.
M. Craig Barnes, Searching For Home

14. The church is God saying: “I’m throwing a banquet, and all those mismatched, messed up people are invited.
Here, have some wine.”
Rachel Held Evans,
Searching for Sunday

15. PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

16. Arise, Your Light Is Come!
HYMN
Arise, Your Light Is Come!
# 411 in the Blue Hymnals

17. Arise, your light is come! The Spirit's call obey; Show forth the glory
of your God, Which
shines on you today.

18. Good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door; Proclaim the captives' liberty,
Good tidings to the poor.

19. Arise, your light is come
Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born, Bind up the broken-hearted ones And comfort those who mourn.

20. Arise, your light is come. The mountains burst in song
Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing; God's power will make us strong.

21. Charles Haddon Spurgeon,
PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS –
(in unison)
Adapted from
Charles Haddon Spurgeon,

22. To come to you is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of our desires and the summit of our wishes. But Lord, how can a stone rise, how can a lump of clay come away?

23. O raise us, draw us. Your grace can do it
O raise us, draw us. Your grace can do it. Forgive us for the time when we miss the wonder of who you are. Send forth your Holy Spirit to kindle sacred flames of love in our hearts, and we will continue to rise until we leave life and time behind us, and indeed come away.

24. In the name of the One
who is the Way,
the Truth and the Life
we pray. Amen.

25. A TIME
OF SILENCE

26. Assurance of
Forgiveness

27. 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.

28. A TIME
WITH THE
Children

29. The News
of the
Community

30. 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.

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

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

33. 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.

34. Monday, January 8th: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30a.m.
Friday, January 12th: 9:00 a.m. – Noon

35. Jon Paige/arr. Joseph Martin
ANTHEM —
Your Light Has Come
Jon Paige/arr. Joseph Martin
The Anthem is a prayer.
Please, no applause.

36. Bringing It to Completion
Moving Toward
a Complete Life

37. Thanksgiving for the Word

38. 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.

39. Scripture Reading— Philippians 1:1-11 (New Testament, Page 196
in pew Bible)

40. servants of Christ Jesus,
Paul and Timothy,
servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ.

41. I thank my God
every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 

42. I am confident of this, that the one who began
a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of
Jesus Christ.

43. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation
of the gospel.  

44. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight

45.  to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

46. Bringing It to Completion
Moving Toward
a Complete Life

47. * This We Believe (in unison) Philippians 2:5-11
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.

48. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  
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.

49. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name which is above every name,  
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.

50. so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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.

51. Help Us Accept Each Other
*Hymn of Commitment –
Help Us Accept Each Other
# 358 in the Blue Hymnal
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.

52. Help us accept each other As Christ accepted us; Teach us as sister, brother, Each person to embrace. Be present, Lord, among us And bring us to believe We are ourselves accepted And meant to love and live.

53. Teach us, O Lord, Your lessons, As in our daily life We struggle to be human And search for hope and faith Teach us to care for people, For all, not just for some, To love them as we find them Or as they may become.

54. Let Your acceptance change us, So that we may be moved In living situations To do the truth in love; To practice Your acceptance Until we know by heart The table of forgiveness And laughter's healing art.

55. Lord, for today's encounters With all who are in need, Who hunger for acceptance, For righteousness and bread, We need new eyes for seeing, New hands for holding on: Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!

56. 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.)

57. Would I Miss the Miracle? Douglas Nolan/arr. Joseph Martin
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Would I Miss the Miracle?
Douglas Nolan/arr. Joseph Martin

58. * 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.

59. Offering of Prayer
(in unison)
Adapted from
Columbanus,

60. Lord, we pray that you may be a lamp for us in the darkness
Lord, we pray that you may be a lamp for us in the darkness. Touch our souls and kindle a fire within them, that they may burn brightly and give light to our
life. And may the light shining within us shine on our sisters and brothers that it may drive away the darkness that draws them away from you.

61. Thus together
let us and these tithes and gifts we return to you be lights to the world,
manifesting the bright beauty of your gospel to all around us. In Jesus’ name
we pray. Amen.

62. Celebration of the
Sacrament of
The Lord’s Supper

63. Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
(CONGREGATION READS
WORDS IN BOLD)

64. In the Lord I will rejoice,
All Sing:
In the Lord,
I’ll be ever thankful,
In the Lord I will rejoice,
Look to God, do not be afraid. Lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
Lift up your voices,
the Lord is near.

65. The Lord’s Prayer
(Debtors version)

66. 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.

67. Communion of Bread & Cup
Words of Institution
Communion of Bread & Cup

68. Closing
Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard. Jesus lives again, earth can
breathe again, pass the Word
around: loaves abound!

69. Christ is able to make us one, at the table He sets the tone, teaching people to live to bless, Love in word and in deed express. Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Prayer

70. 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, $5,361
Additional Income:
Christmas Offering
Deficit
Major Repairs

71. Postlude
March of the Kings
Carl Simone