December 27, 2009          1^st Sunday after Christmas Day               9:30 a.m.       

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude                                  “Away in a Manger”    (Hayes)                               Joel Dizon

- A time for quiet meditation as people gather to worship

- Think and know that God is in our midst                    

Contemporary Songs of Praise                                                                       

            · “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”                                                        TFWS #2088

            · “The Snow Lay on the Ground”                                                            TFWS #2093

        · “Like a Child”                                                                                        TFWS #2092

Welcome (guests are honored, birthdays and wedding anniversaries are celebrated)

+ Call to Worship (Responsively)                                                  Debbie Wise

Let us praise the Name of the Lord.

   For God’s Name alone is exalted.

Let all creation sing the glory of God’s Name!

   Praise the Lord!                                                                                [from Psalm 148]

+ Opening Hymn                 “Once in Royal David’s City”                                           UMH #250

+ Opening Prayer                                                                                                  In Unison

           O almighty God, by the birth of your holy child Jesus you gave us

            a great light to dawn on our darkness. Grant that in his light we

            may see light. Bestow upon us that most excellent Christmas gift

            of love to all people, so that the likeness of your Son may be

            formed in us,  and that we may have the ever brightening hope of

            everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Words of Welcome/Greeting                                                                         Debbie Wise

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Children’s Moment                                                                                  Karen Carpenter          

(Children 5 and under are invited to the nursery downstairs)

Scripture Lessons                   1 Samuel 2:18-20 (OT 317)                                Debbie Wise

                                                   Colossians 3:12-17 (NT 296)   

A nursery is provided downstairs for children from infant up to age 5 only.

Sunday School starts before the sermon, continuing until the fellowship hour begins. Young people remain in

service.

Children’s bulletin are available in the entryway.

Anthem                                     “In the First Light”                                                 Choir

Gospel Lesson                         Luke 2:41-52 (NT 88)   

Sermon                                                                                                           Jean Wycoff

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+ Hymn                          “Love Came Down at Christmas”                            UMH #242

Announcement of Ministry Opportunities                                            Pastor Fred

Sharing of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory                                        “The Light”                                                       Choir

+ Response        “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”                    UMH #94

      + Prayer of Dedication                                                                  Debbie Wise

Sharing our Joys & Concerns                                                              Pastor Fred

   L: In Your mercy/In our joy                C: Lord, hear our prayer.

Community Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer                                                           UMH #895

WE GO FORTH TO SERVE                                                 

+ Hymn                             “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”                             UMH #251

+ Closing Prayer & Benediction                                                                   Responsively

      Jean: May the Christ who by his Incarnation

               gathered into One things earthly and heavenly,                               

               fill us with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill;

               and the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son,

               and the Holy Spirit, be upon us and remain with you always.

      Congregation: Amen.

      Jean: Let us go forth in peace and joy.

      Congregation: Thanks be to God. Alleluia.

                       Join us for potluck fellowship downstairs !    

Meditation

O God, who by the birth of your Son saved the race of humanity: Grant to us, we pray, that as we rejoice in this feast of His Nativity, we may grow in your favor and walk worthily with our Savior Jesus Christ; Who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.

                       [LEONINE SACRAMENTARY; ALT. TJC]

First Sunday after Christmas Lectionary Theme

In the nativity of Jesus, we have experienced the extreme lengths to which the love of God will go in order to be with us. The love of God is not that of an aloof, distant deity. The love of God that meets us in the babe of Bethlehem is a dramatic, passionate incarnation of the divine love that seeks, saves, reaches, rescues, and embraces. This message of incarnate love is at the heart of the good news that is Jesus Christ.

Next Week’s Lectionary Readings ~ Epiphany Sunday

Isaiah 60:1-6

Isaiah 60

Ephesians 3:1-2

Matthews 2:1-12

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Welcome Visitors!

We are happy you are worshiping with us! Please take the time to fill out the welcome pad as it is passed in your row. If you need assistance for settling in and/or serving in a faith community, please feel free to contact the pastor or anyone of us.

Announcements

·         Potluck today after worship.

·         Dec 26-30, Youth Christmas Institute (in the Philippines)

·         Join us for the Covenant Renewal Service, Thurs, Dec 31, 8:00pm  

·         Pastor Fred is with the youth attending the Christmas Institute in the Philippines.

·         Please see the chart on the bulletin board to sign up for worship leadership (liturgist, greeter, usher, etc) 2010.

·         Our January Serving Group will be people whose last names begin with: W, X, Y, Z.

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS

CHURCH WEEKLY GATHERING SCHEDULE