We Gather To Worship God

Welcome and Announcements

Musical Call to Worship:  Gloria

Call to Worship:

L: We are here                                                                                

P: in the name of Christ Jesus.

L: We are together                                                                       

P: because Christ has come among us.

L: The love and happiness of the Lord Jesus Christ

be with you all.

P: And also with you.

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

God our holy Friend, with wonder and joy we come before you. We come from the aftermath of Christmas celebrations, contented though weary, relaxed and thankful. Please do not allow the glory of Bethlehem to slowly fade from our focus, but let it illuminate all our worship, home life and service in the wider world. In the name of your holy Child Jesus. Amen!

Lighting of the Christmas Wreath and Christ Candle

Carol:  Hope is a Star

Hope is star that shines in the night,

Leading us on till the morning is bright.

Chorus: When God is a child there’s joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

And none shall be afraid

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,

Giving a promise of safety and worth. 

Repeat Chorus

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,

Telling the world that the Saviour is born. 

Repeat Chorus

Love is a flame that burns in our heart,

Jesus has come and will never depart. 

Repeat Chorus

We Hear God’s Word

Reading: 

Archbishop Oscar Romero, wrote about Christmas, before he was killed at the alter of his church for his faith in God and his love for the poor and the dispossessed of Central America.  In a work titled  "God With Us" he said:

   No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor.

   The self-sufficient, the proud,

       those who, because they have everything, look down on others,

       those who have no need even of God --

   for them there will be no Christmas.

   Only the poor, the hungry,

       those who need someone to come on their behalf,

   will have that someone.

   That someone is God,

       Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Without poverty of spirit there can be no abundance of God...

Without poverty of Spirit there can be no abundance of God. 

Hear the word of God about the child who was born on Christmas Day.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those      who dwelt: in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined....  For to us a child is born, to us a child is given; and the government

will be upon his shoulder and his name will be called 'Wonderful

   Counsellor, Mighty God Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'.

Matthew 2:13-23

13Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

L: Readings from God’s Word P: Thanks Be to God!

Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful

Reflection

Carol:  Hark the Herald Angels Sing

We Respond to God

Prayers of the People

In peace, we pray to you, God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
for our families, friends and neighbours, and for those who are alone.
For this community, our country, and the world;
for all who work for justice, freedom and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
for all who proclaim the gospel, and for all seek the truth.
For the Metropolitan Community Churches throughout the world,
for Nancy Wilson, our Moderator,
for Diane Fisher our Elder and for all your ministers,

for all who serve God in the church.
For our own needs, and for others for whom you have called us to pray.                                                Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence

Hear us, God
for your mercy is great.

We thank you, God, for all the blessings of life.
Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence

We exalt you, O God our ruler;
and praise your name for ever and ever.

We give thanks for all those who have died in the peace of Christ, and for the promise of your eternal kingdom.
Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence

 In Christ you have called us to eternal glory;
to you be praise for ever and ever.

For we offer these words in the Spirit of the One who taught us to pray saying….

Our Creator who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy dominion come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the dominion, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen

Reception of Tithes and Offerings 

Sung Prayer of Dedication:  Gloria

We Commune Together

The Eucharistic Prayer:

Holy God, our Source and Ending, Alpha and Omega,

we give thanks to you!

You have called all creation into being,

setting the earth on its foundations.

You have spread out the heavens like a tent,

and set a boundary to the seas,

you have filled the world with your creatures

and called all things good.

The heavenly beings are your messengers night and day,

and with them we sing and give glory to you:

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might.

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God.

Hosanna in the highest!

In these latter days, God leaned toward the earth

and spoke to us by a Son, Jesus the Beloved.

Born of our sister Mary and the Holy Spirit,

guarded by our brother Joseph with fatherly care,

Jesus came among us as a baby, humbly born,

cradled beside the beasts and warmed by their breath,

human as we are, in need of human love.

Yet kings bowed down before him, bringing gifts

and emperors were troubled by his reign –

this Child in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

This Word of God made flesh and full of grace

was sent to deliver us from our sin,

from the power of evil and the fear of death.

As a servant, Jesus emptied himself of might upon the cross,

and as the risen Anointed One is enthroned at God’s right hand

to bring mercy and justice to all the earth at the end of days.

And so, rejoicing in all God has done for us,

we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again!

Holy God, as you visited us in the birth of Jesus,

visit us now by the power of your Spirit

in these creations of bread and wine,

making them for us the Body and Blood of Christ,

the banquet of heaven here on earth,

as we remember how Jesus took bread and blessed

and broke it and gave it to his friends, saying,

“Take, eat, This is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.”

and after supper, took a cup of wine

and blessed and gave it to them, saying:

“Drink this, all of you.

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.”

Blessed God, shed your grace brighter than starlight on us

that we may bear your good tidings to all

and renew the weary world in your name:

the name of Emmanuel – God-With-Us,

to whom we give honor and glory in joy, now and for ever. Amen.

Sharing Communion

Songs During Communion   

Once In Royal David’s City

Good King Wenceslas
 

Silent Prayer Following Communion

Sung Prayer of Thanksgiving

O Come let us adore Him

O Come let us adore Him

O Come let us adore Him

Christ, the Lord.

We Go Forth to Live with Christ

The Blessing and Sending Forth:  by Linda Felver

Let me not wrap, stack, box, bag, tie, tag, bundle, seal,

keep Christmas.
Christmas kept is liable to mold.
Let me give Christmas away, unwrapped,

by exuberant armfuls.
Let me share, dance, live Christmas unpretentiously, merrily, responsibly with overflowing hands,

tireless steps and sparkling eyes.
Christmas given away will stay fresh

—even until it comes again."

Carol: Go Tell It On the Mountain

Passing the Peace:  (Please feel free to shake hands, or offer hugs as you feel comfortable. Offering the words….”The Peace of Christ” and join us for refreshments following the service.)