January 22, 2023
Introit: Reflection on “Lord, Revive Us”
David Paxton
Call to Worship
[Isaiah 9:1-4]
Now there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish.
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
for the yoke of their burden you have broken.
Let us worship the LORD!
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
REDHEAD/Wesley
Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return till Thy mercy’s beams I see,
Till they inward light impart, cheer my eyes and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, radiancy divine; scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display, shining to the perfect day.
Confession
God of light and joy, we are in the gloom and gray of winter. Though the light has begun to grow, we do not feel the change yet. Set us free from our burdens and the downward pull of the darkness. Forgive us when we do not know how to find joy in you. Forgive us when we are too busy to listen to others or to your call. Shine in our hearts and help us carry your good news into the world. Amen.
Silence
Just As I Am (Hymn 370)
Bradbury/Elliott
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
Just as I am, Thy love unknown has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
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
Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Alexander/Jude
Jesus calls us: o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea;
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth saying, “Christian, follow me.”
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us: by thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call,
Give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Steve Blewett
Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4
New Testament: Matthew 4:12-23
Sermon: Carrying the Christ Candle…Still
Focus: “Awake, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns; Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth; Unfold thy forehead, gathered into frowns; Thy Savior comes, and with him mirth…” -George Herbert
Response: We Are God’s People
Leech/Brahms (from Symphony No. 1)
We are God’s people, the chosen of the Lord,
Born of the Spirit, established by God’s Word;
Our cornerstone is Christ alone, and strong in him we stand:
O let us live transparently, and walk heart to heart and hand in hand.
We are the Body of which the Lord is Head,
Called to obey him, now risen from the dead;
God wills us be a family, diverse yet truly one:
O let us give our gifts to God, and so shall his work on earth be done.
We are a temple, the Spirit’s dwelling place,
Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God’s grace;
We die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire:
Yet joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light, and to inspire.
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Ruth Seignemartin
Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. -Luke 3:11
Offering Our Gifts: It Is Well
Spafford/Bliss, arr. Patti/Bergquist
Carollen Ryan
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: March in D
J.S.Bach/arr. Blake
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