9:55 a.m. December 29, 2019Watch
Welcome to worship! As you settle in for worship, please feel free to light a candle of prayer in the chapel area (right side of sanctuary). The children will be with us throughout the service. There is nursery care available throughout the service, and a crying room for those who become inconsolable.
RINGING OF THE CHIMES Sylvia Berry, Organist
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS Barry Shelley, Moderator
*HYMN ‘Good Christian Friends Rejoice’ No. 164
GATHERING PRAYER
THE FIRST READING Isaiah 63:7-9 Lay Reader: Alice FarnsworthWatch
REFLECTING ON THE YEAR ABOUT TO PASS
What three things brought you the most joy in the past year?
PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION (together)
Gracious God, as we come to the close of the year, guide us to be reconciled with ourselves, with our families, with our neighbors, and with you. Guide us in the ways of peace. For the things we have done, and the things we have left undone, we ask forgiveness. Amen.
KYRIE recording of Nancy Davis singing ‘Balm in Gilead’ with the choir
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE (please stand)
*PASSING THE PEACE
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you
People: and also with you
*GLORIA ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’ refrain No. 155
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
THE SECOND READING Hebrews 2:10-18 Lay Reader: Jan HowardWatch
REFLECTING ON THIS MOMENT
What three things do you appreciate right now?
HYMN ‘What Child Is This’ No. 162
THE GOSPEL READING Matthew 2:13-23Watch
REFLECTING ON THE COMING YEAR
What three things do you hope for, plan for, pray for in the coming year?
HYMN ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime’ No. 166
HOMILY Rev. Patricia HayesWatch
SOLO ‘I Wonder as I Wander’ Alisa Cassola, soloist Appalachian Christmas CarolWatch
I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on’ry people like you and like I…
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
When Mary birthed Jesus ’twas in a cow’s stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God’s angels in heav’n for to sing,
He surely could have it, ’cause he was the King.
MORNING PRAYERS
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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY ‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’ German CarolWatch
(words found in hymn #160) arr. by Michael Praetorius (1609)
*DOXOLOGY ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’
What can I offer, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise one, I would do my part;
But what I can, I offer – all my heart.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN ‘Joy to the World’ No 143
*COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
(please be seated for the closing music)
CLOSING MUSIC ‘Auld Lang Syne’Watch
Traditional Scottish folk tune/Text by Robert Burns arr. by F.J. Haydn
Alisa Cassola and Sylvia Berry
Rev. Patricia Hayes, Senior Minister
Ann-Marie Illsley, Acting Associate Minister
Murray Kidd, Music Director
Sylvia Berry, Organist
David Wilcox, Sign Language
Loren Stott, Sign Language
Beth Eaton, Hospitality Team Leader
