Sunday, December 26, 2021
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
GATHERING MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Once In Royal David’s City”
~ arr. Dom Andrew Moore
Ruby Shew, piano
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Christmas Fantasy”
~ arr. Clarence Kohlmann
PRELUDE
Ruby Shew, piano
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“The Jesus Gift” by Gilbert M. Martin
~ arr. Ron Boud
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INSTRUMENTAL
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Gail Hybarger
L: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P: And also with you.
L: Holy, loved children of God, put on compassion and kindness this day.
P: Wrapped in the garment of love, we gather to worship God.
L: Holy, loved children of God, with humility clothe yourselves in gentleness, and patience.
P: Wrapped in the garment of love, we gather as the family of God.
L: Holy, loved children of God, bring your gratitude and your joy to worship.
P: Wrapped in the garment of love, we gather to sing praise to God.
*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Gail Hybarger
God of wisdom and grace, may your Spirit grow within us, that we may grow in wisdom and truth all the days of our lives. Teach us your ways, that we may walk the path of Christ and lead others into your light. Clothe us, gracious God, with compassion and kindness, with humility and gentleness, that others may see in us the truth of your love. Bind us together in love and unity, that our church may be a a place of peace and a light to the world. Amen.
HYMN
Linda Juhl, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Sing We Now of Christmas” ~ UMH #237
TIME FOR CHILDREN
Pastor Jeffrey
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
Gail Hybarger
Listen, that the word of Christ may live richly in you—in your hearing and in your speaking, in your thinking and in your doing. Listen for the Word of Life.
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
Colossians 3:12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN
Linda Juhl, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Love Came Down at Christmas” ~ UMH #242
JOYS AND CONCERNS / THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
SPECIAL MUSIC
Linda Juhl, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Carol of the Angels”
– a Traditional French Carol
~ arr. Ruth Artman
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
Luke 2:41-52
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
Searching for Jesus
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Gail Hybarger
Generous God, clothe these gifts with love and kindness, that all who receive our ministry and our gifts may know your love and mercy, may touch the peace of Christ this Christmastide, and may live in communion with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Ruby Shew, piano
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Greensleeves”
~ Traditional Tune, arr. Ethel Smith
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH 95
HYMN
Linda Juhl, Sue Livingstone, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” ~ UMH #240
BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
POSTLUDE
Ruby Shew, piano
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Joy to the World”
– tune – “Antioch” ~ G. F. Handel, arr. Ashford
* Stand as you are able