Prelude
Welcome
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Call to Worship
Leader: We come with joy to celebrate God’s love.
People: Open our hearts, Jesus, to receive your love.
Leader: We come with hope as we sit in the presence of God.
People: The Holy Spirit inspires us as we turn to God.
Leader: Lift your voices in praise of our mighty God.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Hymn He Is Born (UMH 228)
Pastor’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (UMH 895)
Children’s Message
Hymn What Child Is This? (UMH 219)
Scripture Luke 2:25-32
Leader: The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Message Finally Singing
Hymn In the Bleak Midwinter (UMH 221)
Prayer of Confession
Patient Lord, you know how we are. We let the frustrations and worries of our lives overcome us. Sometimes, we turn away from you instead of turning towards you. Forgive us and renew us to come to you in all our needs. We are grateful for your unending faithfulness. Amen.
Giving Our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
Doxology (UMH 94)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Lord of Peace and Hope, we thankfully give these generous gifts as an expression of all that you have given us. We humbly acknowledge that of all the gifts we have received, your gift of a babe in a manger is the one that truly matters. We prayerfully ask you to increase our ability to help others discover anew the best Christmas message ever, Jesus. In His name, we pray. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Affirmation of Faith
Creative God, you make all things new in heaven and on earth. We come to you in a new year with new desires and old fears, new decisions and old controversies, new dreams and old weaknesses. Because you are a God of hope, we know that you create all the possibilities of the future. Because you are a God of love, we know that you accept all the mistakes of the past. Because you are the God of our faith, we enter your gates with thanksgiving and praise, we come into your presence with gladness and a joyful noise, and we serve and bless you. Amen.
Sending Forth Let There Be Peace on Earth (UMH 431)
Benediction
Postlude
