FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
With the whole congregation we will praise the great accomplishments of God, who has won a name by marvelous deeds.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God for all nations, we live still in a world where fathers and mothers and children must seek refuge from violence and bloodshed. We have learned little of the ways of peace, depending on the power of armaments to maintain governments and not sparing even children in the massacres of war. Forgive us if we have been advocates of war or indifferent to the needs of refugees. We need to learn more just ways of settling claims to govern and more equitable distribution of the good things you have createdfor us all to enjoy. Free us all to serve each other in Christ-like tenderness, for your Name's sake. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ has become like us in every way, so that he might be merciful and faithful as our high priest before God, expiating our sins. Friends, believe, the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Meet whatever tests face you now, knowing that Jesus is able to help us, having passed through the test of suffering.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Whether in withdrawal or return, Great Overseer, help us to fulfill your purposes for us as individuals and as families, acknowledging our needfor each other and always seeking what is best for all of us. Give us patience to retreat and wait for the right time, and courage to advance and confront when that is in line with your plans for us and for others; through your carpenter/Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God above time, God in our history, God in our present, we are thankful that you govern the times and seasons. Our times are in your hands, and we are grateful for times of joy as well as sorrow, for dancing as well as mourning, for the time of Christ's birth as well as his death. Our own families know these cycles of change as generations rise and pass away. We rejoice in the babies, the children and grandchildren among us and in the long life which allows many of us to see them grow up. Hear our praise in voices young and old, high and low, weak and strong, until our time of silence comes. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
High God, you have not merely sent an angel envoy to us, hut have come yourself to deliver us through Jesus Christ. We stand before you to offer ourselves and not merely our offering to serve you and others as one people, your people. Amen
PSALM 148:1-14
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot he passed.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the LORD for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the LORD!
With the whole congregation we will praise the great accomplishments of God, who has won a name by marvelous deeds.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God for all nations, we live still in a world where fathers and mothers and children must seek refuge from violence and bloodshed. We have learned little of the ways of peace, depending on the power of armaments to maintain governments and not sparing even children in the massacres of war. Forgive us if we have been advocates of war or indifferent to the needs of refugees. We need to learn more just ways of settling claims to govern and more equitable distribution of the good things you have createdfor us all to enjoy. Free us all to serve each other in Christ-like tenderness, for your Name's sake. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ has become like us in every way, so that he might be merciful and faithful as our high priest before God, expiating our sins. Friends, believe, the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Meet whatever tests face you now, knowing that Jesus is able to help us, having passed through the test of suffering.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Whether in withdrawal or return, Great Overseer, help us to fulfill your purposes for us as individuals and as families, acknowledging our needfor each other and always seeking what is best for all of us. Give us patience to retreat and wait for the right time, and courage to advance and confront when that is in line with your plans for us and for others; through your carpenter/Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God above time, God in our history, God in our present, we are thankful that you govern the times and seasons. Our times are in your hands, and we are grateful for times of joy as well as sorrow, for dancing as well as mourning, for the time of Christ's birth as well as his death. Our own families know these cycles of change as generations rise and pass away. We rejoice in the babies, the children and grandchildren among us and in the long life which allows many of us to see them grow up. Hear our praise in voices young and old, high and low, weak and strong, until our time of silence comes. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
High God, you have not merely sent an angel envoy to us, hut have come yourself to deliver us through Jesus Christ. We stand before you to offer ourselves and not merely our offering to serve you and others as one people, your people. Amen
PSALM 148:1-14
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot he passed.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the LORD for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the LORD!
