Bethel Presbyterian Church
First Sunday after Chritmas
January 1, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;
the night is far gone, the day is near.
PRELUDE Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn
CALL TO WORSHIP
O Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing, and give praise to God’s name;
tell the glad news of salvation from day to day.
*HYMN #275 God of Our Life Sandon
*CALL TO CONFESSION
The cares of this life weigh us down, and we seek escape more than insight, avoidance rather than confrontation with God’s truth. God comes to us even when we are hiding from the best we know. God waits to hear our story and to restore us to life as it is meant to be. Let us come to God in prayer.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.
Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn #578
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.
OLD TESTAMENT Psalm 148
ANTHEM
NEW TESTAMENT Luke 2:22-40
SERMON Rejoice Rev. Bill Shenk
*HYMN #455 All Creatures of Our God and King Lasst Uns Erfreuen
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Nicene Creed Hymnal Page #15
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us all, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made human, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERATORY MUSIC I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Calkin
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION Hymn #592
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.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Let us pray.
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
*HYMN #411 Arise, Your Light Is Come! Festal Song
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!
*POSTLUDE Messiah Medley Handel
