Bulletin – Sunday, December 29, 2019
Sunday, December 29, 2019
First Sunday after Christmas
Approach
Gathering Song VU #54 – “Unto Us a Boy is Born”
Welcome, lighting the candle and announcements
Call to Worship
One: Light shines in shadowed places.
All: Hope abounds where once there was fear.
One: We honour the child with gifts of devotion, love, and commitment.
All: We worship with gladdened hearts.
Opening Hymn VU #45 – “Joy is Now in Every Place”
Prayer of Approach and Confession
O God, in this Christmas season, we remember how Jesus’ family fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod, and how they were only able to return home once the danger was past. We remember that still, in our time, families are forced to flee their homes because of mortal danger, and so, we cry out to you: How long, O God, must violence hold sway? Lend your ears to the cries of those displaced by war, the cries of parents and children fleeing domestic violence, and the cries of those we name silently in our hearts. Comfort them, O God, and break the yokes of their oppression, so they all may live where they choose, in peace and safety. For you are the God who brought the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land, the God who moves human hearts in mysterious ways. We place our trust in you: our lives are in your hands. May it be so. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Passing the Peace
Time for All Ages
Hymn VU #74 – “What Child is This”
The Word
Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 63:7-9
Matthew 2:13-23
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!
Meditation – “To Live in Exile”
Hymn MV #111 – “A Voice Was Heard in Ramah”
The Response
Offering / Response: “What Can I Give Him” (VU #55)
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him – give my heart.
Offering Prayer
Take our offerings, Gracious God, what we offer here, what we offer with our time and energy, and make them holy. May such light shine from us and from these gifts that all may know the peace of your kingdom. Amen.
Prayers of the People
One: God of new beginnings,… transformation, renewal, the chance to begin again.
All: Our times are in Your hands, O God, give us hope for the journey.
One: We have traveled through dangers seen and unseen,…Let us all feel your presence in our lives.
All: Our times are in Your hands, O Lord, give us courage for the journey.
One: Encourage us to be ever mindful of Your Still Speaking Voice;…fear must release its death-grip on our lives.
All: Our times are in Your hands, O God, give us light for the journey.
One: Today we stand in this present moment,… Let us all feel your presence in our lives.
All: Our times are in Your hands, O God, give us justice for the journey.
One: The future stretches out before us … Let us all feel your presence in our lives.
All: Our times are in Your hands, Triune God, give us life. Amen.
Closing Hymn VU #93 – “When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery”
Commissioning / Benediction Response
May the Spirit of the Christ Child show us how in love to live
For the joy and peace of Christmas is for us to share and give.
May the story of God’s coming, God with us – Emmanuel,
Fill the world with light of Christmas, as in awe we do God’s will.
