ORDER OF WORSHIP
JANUARY 5, 2025 10:30 AM
SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 147)
Leader: Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
PEOPLE: For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
Leader: He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
PEOPLE: He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
Leader: He sends out his word and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
PEOPLE: He has not dealt thus with any other nation. Praise the LORD!
INVOCATION
God our creator, we come before you to worship and show our devotion to your love and to your holy name. We welcome you into our hearts as you take us into the gentle hands of your unending grace and power as we celebrate your gift of our Messiah and the grace he carries to us through your infinite wisdom and guidance. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “We Three Kings of Orient Are” Red #185
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our sometimes-feeble attempts to follow in faith show our shortcomings, but we know a merciful God who always forgives us. Please join me as we pray together in seeking a greater understanding of God’s guidance.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
Dearest Lord, in these dark nights of winter we often stumble in cold and darkness, seeking the light and warmth of your comfort. But that light is always there before us, even as we look to its inspiring flame. Grant us the peace to know our shortcomings even as you forgive them. And may we continue to look to the light of your perfect love in these dark days even as we know you will deliver us brighter days to come. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends in faith, believe in the grace of Scripture and the love of God, through the light of wisdom and by whose infinite presence our sins are forgiven, Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES CREED ((As 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 “Fairest Lord Jesus” Red # 115
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 31: 7-14 Rob Ferguson
GOSPEL READING: John 1: 10-18
SERMON MESSAGE: How Many Kings? John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORDS PRAYER
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:
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.
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN “Bread of the World in Mercy Broken” Red # 774
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion
TITHES and OFFERINGS:
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “Fairest Lord Jesus”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” Red #192
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “His Name is Wonderful” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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