January 1, 2023
Introit: We Three Kings
Hopkins/Burkhardt
Leonard Byrne, euphonium
Call to Worship
[Isaiah 63:7, 9]
We will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us.
We will recount his great favor to the house of Israel, his mercy and steadfast love.
It was no messenger or angel, but his presence that saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Let us worship the LORD!
Gentle Mary Laid Her Child (Hymn 27)
Arr. MacMillan/Cook
Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger;
There he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger.
Such a babe in such a place, can he be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found his favor.
Angels sang about his birth, wise men sought and found him;
Heaven’s star shone brightly forth, glory all around him.
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heart the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night, all the hills were ringing.
Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger.
Son of God, or humble birth, beautiful the story;
Praise his name in all the earth, hail the King of glory!
Confession
Jesus, you became like us as a vulnerable child. You were not immune to the world’s dangers and had to flee to another country. Help us have compassion for people in difficult circumstances, at home and at our borders. Forgive us when we have become complacent in the presence of injustice and violence. Set us free from fear, and help us trust that your presence will sustain and strengthen us to participate in your plans of love. Amen.
Silence
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Carol 44)
Brooks/Redner
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
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,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
As With Gladness Men of Old (Hymn 63)
Kocher/Dix
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy, pure, and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hide.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Ruth Seignemartin
Old Testament: Isaiah 63:7-9
New Testament: Matthew 2:13-23
Homily: The Cost of Christmas
Focus: Christmastide embraces the deep love of God and the harsh realities of the world.
Communion
Communion Music: Coventry Carol
English Carol/Lasky
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Ruth Seignemartin
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. -Luke 2:52
Offering Our Gifts: Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love
Carmichael
Betsy Hammond and Leonard Byrne
Doxology
Smart/Salisbury Hymn Book
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:
One in might and One in glory while unending ages run.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: In Dulci Jubilo
German folk tune/Walker
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