Worship - December 30, 2007

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
December 30, 2007
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

Sunday after Christmas

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude

Responsive Call to Worship (back of bulletin)

*Hymn “O come, all ye faithful” 212

*Opening Prayer

Scripture James 3:3-6

Unison Confession 698

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise

Hymn “It came upon a midnight clear” 195

Prayer

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

*Response (refrain to:) “The first Noel” 199

*Dedication

Scripture Ephesians 4:29-32

  Message          “Speak Only to Improve the Silence ~
                        Act Only to Improve your Surroundings”
                                         Jeannie Schwartz, preacher

*Hymn “Go light your world” (see insert)
(mp3)

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

One: Let us recount the gracious deeds of our God.
Let us give thanks for the praiseworthy acts
of the Lord.

All: God has done so much for us!
God has shown us mercy and steadfast love.

One: We are called the children of God.
Let us rejoice!

All: God didn't send a messenger or an angel
but came to us as one of us.

One: God came to be with us as Jesus.
Our Savior. Our Messiah. The Christ.

All: O Come, all ye faithful!
Let us give thanks to God!

by Christy J. Waltersdorff, pastor
York Center Church of the Brethren
Lombard, IL
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Opening Prayer

Holy God, we thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, a gift too amazing for words! We seek your presence in our worship today as we give thanks, sing, pray, and share the good news. Help us not to lose Jesus in the clutter of wrapping paper, presents, cookies, and Christmas trees. Keep us focused on your gracious mercy and steadfast love. We give you thanks and pray in Christ's name. Amen.

by Christy J. Waltersdorff, pastor
York Center Church of the Brethren
Lombard, IL
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Unison Confession

Forgive me my sins, O Lord.
Forgive me the sins of my youth
                  and the sins of my age,
         the sins of my soul
                  and the sins of my body,
         my secret and my whispering sins,
         the sins I have done to please myself
                  and the sins I have done to please others.
Forgive those sins which I know
         and the sins which I do not know
Forgive them, Lord;
         forgive them in all your great goodness,
         through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #698
by Lancelot Andrewes, ca. 1600
The New Book of Christian Prayers,
© 1986 Tony Castle. Edited by Tony Castle.
Crossroad/Continuum Publishing Company.

Prayer

God of guidance,
      quicken your Holy Spirit
            in our hearts and minds
            so we may follow what is right.
Give us direction so we may know
      which way to choose and which to refuse;
      which course to calim and which to reject;
      which action to take and which to avoid.
Enlighten our minds,
      purify our hearts,
      strengthen our wills,
      and lead us to live as faithful followers of Jesus
            all the days of our lives. AMEN

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Some proverbs to ponder as we return our tithes and offerings. First a few tidbits on how not to live. Listen:

²⁷Scoundrels concoct evil,
and their speech is like a scorching fire.
²⁸A perverse person spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
²⁹The violent entice their neighbors,
and lead them in a way that is not good.

But only a few verses earlier in this book in our Old Testament we find these words that move us in a different direction:

²²Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but folly is the punishment of fools.
²³The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,
and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
²⁴Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Consider these as you give. Ushers?

Proverbs 16:27-29 and 22-24 (NRSV)

Dedication

Amid our “noels,” Lord God, lead us into your wisdom. May our words and deeds bear fruit of what is right and good. Bless these offerings toward the work of your kingdom. In Jesus. Amen.

Benediction

Guide us, O Lord,
    by your Word and Holy Spirit,
      that in your light we may see light,
      in your truth find freedom,
      and in your will discover peace,
      through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #769
Adapted from "Order of Worship," Worship the Lord,
ed. James R. Esther and Donald J. Bruggink,
© 1987 The Reformed Church in America.