SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

                                                 December 27, 2009, 10:30 a.m.

 

                                                  GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

                                 In Advent, God’s people wait and watch for the holiness of a Savior.

                                In silence, put aside distraction, as we with God span time & distance.

 

IN SILENCE                                                                                                                   Frederick Buechner

 

God never seems to weary of trying to get himself across. Word after word he tries in search
of the right word. When the creation itself doesn't seem to say it right--sun, moon, stars, all of
it--he tries flesh and blood. Jesus as the mot juste of God.

 

PRELUDE                                                 Carol Sing

 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                      from Psalm 148

Leader:   Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

People:  Praise him sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars!

Leader:  Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,

               fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

People:  Young men and women alike, old and young together!

               Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;

               his glory is above earth and heaven. Praise the Lord!

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 31                                           Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (unison)                                         Nicene Creed (Ecumenical)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and
unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the
Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was
crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in
accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who
with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We

believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness
of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

PASSING THE PEACE

        The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was and is and is to come, be with you all.

        Peace be with you.

                           (worshipers share in word and gesture the peace of Christ)

 

                                                  PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                         Luke 2: 41-52 (NRSV)

 

WORD WITH THE YOUNG

 

ANTHEM                                          I Saw Three Ships                                     arr. L. Larson

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                                Colossians 3: 12-17 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                   “Manger Clothes for the Soul”

 

 

                                                RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

CALL TO OFFER OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR THE COMMON GOOD

               OFFERTORY                           A Celtic Noel                                        arr. M. Barrett

            *RESPONSE # 592                                Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

            *PRAYER DEDICATING GIFTS OF GOD FOR THE PURPOSES OF GOD

 

PRAYERS OF THANKING AND ASKING, THE LORD’S PRAYER        Hymnal p. 16

 

                                                       GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 53                                                                                               What Child Is This

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

*CHORAL RESPONSE

 

POSTLUDE                  Variations on Hark! The Herald Angels Sing                     J. Linker

                                 (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                                                       WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgists

Anne Gibson, Deborah Bowsher, Rev. Michael Ludwig

Sermon

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Moment with the Young

Deborah Bowsher, Rev. Michael Ludwig

Musical Leadership

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster & Flautist

Nancy Deeth, Organist

Head Usher

Ethel Hurley

 
                                                 IN MEMORIAM
                                            Elder Herbert L. Coon

                                            January 6, 2013 – December 17, 2009

 

                                                “I am the resurrection and the life.

                                Those who believe in me, though they die, will live.”

                                                                 -John 11: 25