Lakeville United Church of Christ5687 Big Tree Road Lakeville, New York 14480 December 30 2007 10:30 a.m.First Sunday after Christmas God is Still Speaking, |
No matter who, no matter what, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome.
A Time for Gathering
Centering and Prelude Psalm 148
* Opening Hymn #129 (Black) Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
* Call to Worship
One: Praise God, all who dwell on this earth.
Praise God in the heights and depths of life.
Many: We will recount the deeds of God.
Surely God has shown as goodness and mercy.
One: Praise God, sun and moon and stars.
Praise God, fire and hail, snow and frost.
Many: Men and women, young and old together:
Let us praise and honor our Creator.
One: Let God's name be praised and exalted.
God's glory is above heaven and earth.
Many: By God's steadfast love, we are drawn to worship
Our gracious Savior leads us in new ways.
* Prayer: Redeemer of all who put their trust in you, we seek your presence here. Only our own attitudes can separate us from you. Re-create us in your own image so we may be true to your intentions for us and in tune with your purposes for our life together. Amen
*Call to Confession: We cannot be whole people apart from God, so we come to confess how lost we are.
*Prayer of Confession: O God, we have been so busy with things that do not satisfy! We have tried to fill our emptiness with activities and possessions that drain our energies rather than give life meaning. We deny the witness of the One who shared our common lot, for we are not willing to take the risks of genuine love. O God, save us from ourselves. Amen
* Assurance of Forgiveness: We are forgiven, we are redeemed, we are lifted up to a life of true freedom.
* Gloria Patri (Brown hymnal: back page)
A Time for Stewardship
Offertory Invitation: We are invited to praise God with the offerings of our best. In the generous spirit of this season, we give thanks for God's providence with an answering generosity. What a privilege to act for God through our giving.
Hymn # 565 (Black) God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
Mission Moment
Presentation of our Treasure: The offering is collected at this time.
* Doxology
Prayer of Dedication: Awesome God, when we recount your gracious deeds and praiseworthy acts, we want to imitate them. Because of your mercy and favor and the abundance of your steadfast love, we are moved to respond. Thank you for the gift of life, for all you have entrusted to us, for your watchful care over us, for surrounding us with love when loss and suffering overwhelm us. It is when we give with generous hearts that we begin to understand how much we have been given. Thank you, God. Amen
Scripture Readings:
Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 63:7-9 and Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon: For everything there is a season
A Time for Prayer
Sharing Our Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer – followed by the Lord’s Prayer (sins)
Commission and Blessing
*Hymn # 536 (Brown) Angels We Have Heard on High
One: Praise God for all creation, including yourself.
Praise God for the variety of people who surround us.
Many: Wherever we go, we can count on God's care.
Whatever we face, Christ will meet us there.
Amen. Amen
A Time to Depart
* Fellowship Circle Joy to the World
* Benediction
*Please stand in body or in spirit.
Bold print indicates unison.