Jesus leads us to salvation
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus has come to us from God, sharing our human nature in order to conquer that which destroys us.
People:
Sin is the power that destroys us in death. We celebrate the presence of God who has come in the flesh, even Jesus our Savior.
Pastor:
We receive God's forgiveness, because Jesus, who took on human form, intercedes on our behalf with God.
People:
Because of Jesus, we are brought to God in a saving relationship. Praise the Lord for our salvation!
Collect
Heavenly Father, who has come to us in the birth of your Son to share our human nature for the sake of our salvation: Open our hearts to your presence as revealed in Jesus; that we may know the forgiveness which he imparts to us. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are children of flesh, Father, but we desire to be born of the Spirit. We believe this is possible because Jesus intercedes on our behalf. Forgive us for our sins which lead us astray, denying that you are our Father. Increase our desire to follow Christ our Savior; that he may lead us to salvation. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"
"I Know Not How That Bethlehem's Babe"
"Let All Together Praise Our God"
"Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose"
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Gospel:
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Theme:
God's protection of the infant Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Even as an infant, Jesus was faced with rejection because of man's sinfulness.
People:
King Herod felt threatened by Jesus' birth, and wanted to kill him.
Pastor:
But God protected him by telling Joseph in a dream to take Jesus to Egypt.
People:
Praise be to God for his divine protection of the infant Jesus!
Collect
Almighty God, whose divine providence enabled Jesus to perform his ministry to mankind: Remove any indifference on our part toward Jesus' ministry; that we may benefit by the salvation he brought to our world. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Forgive us, Father, for taking so much for granted in the Christian Faith. You have constantly had to pour out your love to people who seem bent on resisting that love. And we who want to accept your love, do so without considering the price you have paid. Sharpen our senses to see what wonderful feats you have performed in order that we might be redeemed from sin. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies"
"Fairest Lord Jesus"
"Go Tell It on the Mountain"
"How Beauteous Were the Marks"
JANUARY 1
(When observed as New Year)
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Theme:
God's promise of providence
Call to Worship
Pastor:
The future is exciting because it comes to us from God!
People:
That's true. Fear of the unknown must give way to faith in God.
Pastor:
God has promised to provide for our needs. Let us enter this new year with the assurance that God will take care of us.
People:
We believe that for sure. We thank God for the new adventure we are ready to begin.
Collect
Benevolent God, you have called us to follow you with the promise that you will provide for our needs. Give us confidence in your promise as we begin this new year; that we may not falter in our faith from a fear of what we do not know. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we have been at the threshold of a new year many times; sometimes excited, sometimes afraid. We believe your promise to care for us, but fear is so powerful. Forgive our hesitancy, our doubts, and our fears when we focus on the unknown of tomorrow. Replace these handicaps with a bold assurance that this will be a year to rejoice because of your care for us. Hear us for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Hymns
"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"
"Be Not Dismayed"
"Forth in Thy Name"
"O God, Our Help in Ages Past"
JANUARY 1
(When observed as New Year)
Second Lesson: Revelation 21:1-6a
Theme:
God's promise of his presence
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God is the author of newness. He takes what is worn out, and replaces it with new.
People:
This new year is like a preview of our new life in eternity. God will bless us with life that is totally new.
Pastor:
The joy of God's newness is his presence, whether it is this new year we've never experienced before, or new life in eternity.
People:
We praise God for his presence that makes every experience a new gift from him!
Collect
Eternal God, who promises to be with us in this new year, and through all eternity: Keep us mindful of your presence in all situations; that we may find strength and joy in whatever adventure you lead us. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
You have given us many new years, Lord. But that which comes from you so new and pure, we quickly taint with sin. Forgive the new years we have made old by ignoring your presence. Walk with us each day; that we may now begin not just a new year, but a new life with you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, and Dwell in Me"
"O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee"
" 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"
"When We Walk with the Lord"
JANUARY 1
(When observed as New Year)
Gospel:
Matthew 25:31-46
Theme:
A new way to live
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We have a new calendar, and a new year. It's a great time to begin a new life.
People:
There is something reassuring about a new year. We can start over trying to live a better life.
Pastor:
One of the best ways to live a better life is to live it for others. We serve Christ himself when we serve others.
People:
May this new year be a new life in which we treat others as though Christ were present in them.
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son has challenged us to treat others with the same respect we would treat him: Keep us mindful of the service we may give to our Lord, by serving those in need; that both our world, and our Lord, may be blessed by our good deeds. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We would do anything for your Son, O God, if he were here. He is, in the helpless, the homeless, and the hurt. But we turn our backs, thinking we have our eyes on Jesus. Forgive our unkindness to our brothers and sisters. Help us to see Jesus in those who cry for help; that our life might fulfill your will for those in need. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymn
"Lord, Speak to Me"
"O Brother Man, Fold to Thy Heart"
"The Voice of God Is Calling"
"Where Cross the Crowded Ways"
Pastor:
Jesus has come to us from God, sharing our human nature in order to conquer that which destroys us.
People:
Sin is the power that destroys us in death. We celebrate the presence of God who has come in the flesh, even Jesus our Savior.
Pastor:
We receive God's forgiveness, because Jesus, who took on human form, intercedes on our behalf with God.
People:
Because of Jesus, we are brought to God in a saving relationship. Praise the Lord for our salvation!
Collect
Heavenly Father, who has come to us in the birth of your Son to share our human nature for the sake of our salvation: Open our hearts to your presence as revealed in Jesus; that we may know the forgiveness which he imparts to us. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are children of flesh, Father, but we desire to be born of the Spirit. We believe this is possible because Jesus intercedes on our behalf. Forgive us for our sins which lead us astray, denying that you are our Father. Increase our desire to follow Christ our Savior; that he may lead us to salvation. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"
"I Know Not How That Bethlehem's Babe"
"Let All Together Praise Our God"
"Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose"
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Gospel:
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Theme:
God's protection of the infant Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Even as an infant, Jesus was faced with rejection because of man's sinfulness.
People:
King Herod felt threatened by Jesus' birth, and wanted to kill him.
Pastor:
But God protected him by telling Joseph in a dream to take Jesus to Egypt.
People:
Praise be to God for his divine protection of the infant Jesus!
Collect
Almighty God, whose divine providence enabled Jesus to perform his ministry to mankind: Remove any indifference on our part toward Jesus' ministry; that we may benefit by the salvation he brought to our world. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Forgive us, Father, for taking so much for granted in the Christian Faith. You have constantly had to pour out your love to people who seem bent on resisting that love. And we who want to accept your love, do so without considering the price you have paid. Sharpen our senses to see what wonderful feats you have performed in order that we might be redeemed from sin. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies"
"Fairest Lord Jesus"
"Go Tell It on the Mountain"
"How Beauteous Were the Marks"
JANUARY 1
(When observed as New Year)
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Theme:
God's promise of providence
Call to Worship
Pastor:
The future is exciting because it comes to us from God!
People:
That's true. Fear of the unknown must give way to faith in God.
Pastor:
God has promised to provide for our needs. Let us enter this new year with the assurance that God will take care of us.
People:
We believe that for sure. We thank God for the new adventure we are ready to begin.
Collect
Benevolent God, you have called us to follow you with the promise that you will provide for our needs. Give us confidence in your promise as we begin this new year; that we may not falter in our faith from a fear of what we do not know. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we have been at the threshold of a new year many times; sometimes excited, sometimes afraid. We believe your promise to care for us, but fear is so powerful. Forgive our hesitancy, our doubts, and our fears when we focus on the unknown of tomorrow. Replace these handicaps with a bold assurance that this will be a year to rejoice because of your care for us. Hear us for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Hymns
"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"
"Be Not Dismayed"
"Forth in Thy Name"
"O God, Our Help in Ages Past"
JANUARY 1
(When observed as New Year)
Second Lesson: Revelation 21:1-6a
Theme:
God's promise of his presence
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God is the author of newness. He takes what is worn out, and replaces it with new.
People:
This new year is like a preview of our new life in eternity. God will bless us with life that is totally new.
Pastor:
The joy of God's newness is his presence, whether it is this new year we've never experienced before, or new life in eternity.
People:
We praise God for his presence that makes every experience a new gift from him!
Collect
Eternal God, who promises to be with us in this new year, and through all eternity: Keep us mindful of your presence in all situations; that we may find strength and joy in whatever adventure you lead us. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
You have given us many new years, Lord. But that which comes from you so new and pure, we quickly taint with sin. Forgive the new years we have made old by ignoring your presence. Walk with us each day; that we may now begin not just a new year, but a new life with you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, and Dwell in Me"
"O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee"
" 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"
"When We Walk with the Lord"
JANUARY 1
(When observed as New Year)
Gospel:
Matthew 25:31-46
Theme:
A new way to live
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We have a new calendar, and a new year. It's a great time to begin a new life.
People:
There is something reassuring about a new year. We can start over trying to live a better life.
Pastor:
One of the best ways to live a better life is to live it for others. We serve Christ himself when we serve others.
People:
May this new year be a new life in which we treat others as though Christ were present in them.
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son has challenged us to treat others with the same respect we would treat him: Keep us mindful of the service we may give to our Lord, by serving those in need; that both our world, and our Lord, may be blessed by our good deeds. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We would do anything for your Son, O God, if he were here. He is, in the helpless, the homeless, and the hurt. But we turn our backs, thinking we have our eyes on Jesus. Forgive our unkindness to our brothers and sisters. Help us to see Jesus in those who cry for help; that our life might fulfill your will for those in need. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymn
"Lord, Speak to Me"
"O Brother Man, Fold to Thy Heart"
"The Voice of God Is Calling"
"Where Cross the Crowded Ways"
