Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, January 1 will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home. We will share prayers, songs, and reflections. Communion will be NEXT Sunday, January 8.
YouTube broadcast will begin at 10:25 AM, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewburghPresby
ORDER OF WORSHIP
January 1, 2023 10:30 AM
FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
NEW YEAR’S DAY
USHERS today are Dave Young and volunteer. If you would like to usher in January or February, please contact Dan Olson. Communions will be offered next Sunday, January 8.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS needed for January and February. Sign-up chart available in the Fellowship Hall.
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS: The church office will be CLOSED MON, JAN 2.
BENJAMIN VISE, our music director for the past year and a half, has accepted a new position as organist for the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church and will be leaving us after January 15. We wish him well with the congregation at Pleasant Valley.
PHOTO DIRECTORY: Outreach will begin taking pictures of individuals and families during Fellowship Hour after services for the new photo directory.
FOOD PANTRY has been selected again to receive $1 from every reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during JANUARY at Hannaford at 2636 Rt. 32 in New Windsor.
FOOD PANTRY OPEN MON, JAN 2 and WED, JAN 4 from 9:30-11:30 AM. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
OFFERING ENVELOPES are available for pick up in the Narthex, sorted alphabetically.
PLEDGES: As of DEC 17, we have received 27 pledges in the amount of $70,810. If you have not received your pledge card in the mail, contact the office.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “The Old Year Now Has Passed Away” Johann Sebastian Bach
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 148)
Leader: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! PEOPLE: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Leader: Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! PEOPLE: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Leader: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. PEOPLE: Young men and women alike, old and young together! Leader: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted;
PEOPLE: His glory is above earth and heaven. Praise the LORD!
INVOCATION
Creator God, you call us to love and serve you with body, mind, and spirit through loving your creation and our sisters and brothers. Open our hearts in compassion on behalf of the needs of the church and the world. This we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “All Creatures of our God and King” Red #356
CALL TO CONFESSION
A New year brings new opportunity for refreshing our faith and reviving our spirits in those faith journeys. Let us remember that as we pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious Lord, as we begin a new year, let us resolve to keep our resolutions, and our resolution to grow closer to you in spirit and in our daily lives. May we be heartened by new possibilities and new challenges even as we show gratitude for the fortunes that have blessed us in the year just past and a brighter future for us all. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. (a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends in faith hold fast to that spirit of generosity and sharing that filled us through the holiday season, and know that in and through Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**APOSTLES CREED (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “O Worship the King all glorious above” Red #29
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, as we turn to your Word for us, may the Spirit of God rest upon us. Help us to be steadfast in our hearing, in our speaking, in our believing, and in our living. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 63:7-9 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL Matthew 2:13-23
SERMON Two Different stories from Gospel John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We can hoard the gifts with which you bless us, God of generosity, or we can share them with others. May what we offer in these moments be the very blessing, the very hope, the very peace others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY “My Song Is Love Unknown” John Ireland
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we enter a new year may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**HYMN OF PARTING “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Red #20
BENEDICTION
May the God who gave us this year and the Savior who will walk at our side each day, and the Spirit who fills us with life abundant, grace this coming year with peace and hope and joy, Amen.
POSTLUDE “All Creatures of Our God and King” setting by Robert Hobby
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955