Worship Service Dec. 26, 2021
Prelude: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata 147 by J.S. Bach (Charles Calhoun, keyboardist)
*Greetings & Announcements
Wise Words from John Gaul
*Hymn: “Praise to God, Immortal Praise“, Vs. 1, 3, 5
*Opening of the Word
*Responsive Invocation:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
I believe that I shall see
the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
*Invitation to Prayer:
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our maker.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Creator, whose great love holds a forgiveness for all who desire and seek it: we thank thee for thy gracious assurance that thou art always near and ready to forgive. Pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness and truth, and bring us into everlasting life; for thy mercy’s sake. Amen.
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.
O Lord, open thou our lips:
And our mouths shall show forth thy praise.
*Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
*The Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy; Lord God of hosts: Heav’n and earth are full of thy glory. Amen.
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 49:8-13 & 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Children’s Message
Solo: The Gift of Love – Traditional English Melody, adapted by Hal H. Hopson, arr. Lloyd Larson (Heather Garland, soloist)
Spiritual Message: The Gift of Love, Rev. Junchol Lee
Silent Meditation
*Affirmation of Faith
The Great Spirit, the Christ, the Compassionate One, the Light of the World, is that which sustains and nurtures our spirit. You draw us closer to Heaven and to each other. Your Divine Love and Wisdom flows into every living soul. You dwell among us and warms every human heart. We acknowledge our need to be fed by this Sacred Spirit, to share in the beauty of life, and to build a Holy City on Earth by giving of ourselves, yet knowing that all that is good and true flows into us from God. Amen.
Prayer of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory: Dialogo by Adriano Banchieri
*Doxology
Praise God the Source of life and birth Praise God the Word who came to earth Praise God the Spirit, holy flame All glory, honor to God’s name. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness“
*Benediction
*Closing of the Word
*Sung Response: Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, According to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. Amen.
Postlude: Trumpet tune, Bonduca by Henry Purcel