Worship Service December 29, 2024

Order of Service

Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction                Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker /All

Call to Worship                                                          Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker /All

Come, let all who love the Lord gather in this house for worship!

And let all who have heard the Gospel of Christ celebrate.

But there are some who have heard and turned away.

And some who have never heard the Good News Christ came to share.

The let us recommit our lives to sharing the Gospel for all to hear.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

(Lectionary Worship Aids, Series IV, Cycle C, James R. Wilson, p.27)

Hymn of Response                       Rejoice, the Lord is King                         UMH 715

Opening Prayer                                               Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker /All                                                           

As in the days of our youth, O Lord, we come expectantly,

    anticipating what you have in store for us this day.

We’re eager to hear your voice, and ready to hear your call.

As the excitement of the season lingers, yet giving way to the

    anticipation of a new year, we come to worship and adore you still.

Clothe us in righteousness and compassion.

    May the unity of the Spirit pervade out worship together.

    Lift our hearts.  Renew our spirits. Let us dwell upon your Word.

We ask your blessing upon our service.  In the name of the Lord Jesus.   Amen

(Invocations and Benedictions for the Common Revied Lectionary, John M. Drescher, p.107)

Life of the Church (Announcements)          Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker (see bulletin)

Mission Moment – remember to bring canned food next week

Affirmation of Faith           Apostles’ Creed      UMH 881       Sheri King/All                                                          

Gloria Patri                                                                                                    UMH 071

Hymn of Praise                      Good Christian Friends Rejoice                    UMH 224

OFFERING OF OURSELVES

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer                           Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker/All    

Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings                          Steve Hawkins instrumental

              Dedication & Offertory                                      Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker

             Doxology                                                                       UMH 095 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen

Centering Song                                O Holy Night                                Steve Hawkins

PROCLAMATION

Prayer of Illumination                                                                                Gary Seiler

Holy God, Word made flesh,
    let us come to this word open to being surprised.
Silence our agendas; banish our assumptions; cast out our casual detachment.

Confound our expectations; clear the cobwebs from our ears;
    penetrate the corners of our hearts with this word.
We know that you can, we pray that you will,
    and we wait with great anticipation. Amen.

Psalm Reading                   Psalm 148   UMH 861-862                                Gina Elrod

Scripture                        Colossians 3:12-17                        Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker 

Message                  Living Towards Belovedness                 Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker 

GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST

Closing Hymn                       Go Tell It On the Mountain                              UMH 251

Commissioning & Benediction                                           Shasta Wilde, Lay Speaker 

Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God