ORDER OF WORSHIP
DECEMBER 29, 2024 10:30 AM
FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 148)
PEOPLE: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Leader: Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
PEOPLE: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
Leader: He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
PEOPLE: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth hear his commands!
Leader: Young men and women alike, old and young together!
PEOPLE: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
ALL: Praise the LORD!
INVOCATION
Dearest Lord, we join together in rejoicing our love and adoration for you and for the arrival of he, whom you sent to live and dwell among us, to teach us the way to faith and love. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “What Child is This” Red #150
CALL TO CONFESSION
We have received God’s gift of a savior, born in a lowly manger and attended by humble shepherds. In that same spirit of humility let us pray together in search of a greater understanding of our special relationship with our God and Creator.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
Creator God, you call us to love and serve you with body, mind, and spirit through loving your creation and our sisters and brothers. Help us to understand your unending love in sending Jesus to us, to dwell with us in our hearts and minds. Open our hearts in compassion and receive these petitions on behalf of the needs of the church and the world. This we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
We have received the gift of a Messiah in these days. In the beauty of this Christmas season, we are forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES CREED (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Sing We Now of Christmas” Red # 159
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals and listens. Open wounded hearts to the balm of your Word. Speak to us in clear tones so that we might feel our spirits leap for joy and skip with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: 1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL READING: Luke 2: 41-52
SERMON MESSAGE: MY FATHER’S BUSINESS John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORDS PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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.
TITHES And OFFERINGS:
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “Once in Royal David’s City”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” Red #192
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
Comments