WELCOME TO WORSHIP
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
SERMON NOTES
SCRIPTURE — Luke 2:22-40 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Deck the Halls - Promise Fulfilled”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMASTIDE • DECEMBER 31, 2023 • 11:00AM
OFFERTORY Infant Holy, Infant Lowly — arr. Mack Wilberg Infant Holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Swiftly winging angels singing, Nowells ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the Babe was born for you. DOXOLOGY #221 In the Bleak Midwinter — CRANHAM What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
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THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The prelude signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Loving God, without You we would be nothing. Help us to give back to others in the way that you have given to us. Your love guides us, protects us, and models for us the ways in which we are called to live. All that we are and all that we have is yours. May our offerings be just part of what we give to you this day and always, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE GREETING OPENING PRAYER Lift us up, O Lord, that we may see your face. May our hearts be like Simeon and Anna as we strive to spend our lives in worship of You. We are grateful for the gift of being known, claimed, and loved by you. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #245 The First Noel — THE FIRST NOEL
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
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AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Come, Renew Your Love for Him — GLORIA Come, renew your love for Him: Jesus Christ, who sets us free! Cast off fear and doubt and shame; live in grace eternally! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 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. (Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
HYMN
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#251 Go, Tell It on the Mountain — GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
BENEDICTION
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POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister LITURGIST Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries
TORCHBEARERS McCall Stanley Vida Kennedy
MUSIC June Stegall, Assistant Director of Music Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.