Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
January 7, 2000 Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful."
(Colossians 3:15)

Call to Worship - Psalm 148:1-2, 13-14

*Hymn "Good Christian friends, rejoice" 210

*Opening Prayer

J2K Time Capsule

Moments of quiet reflection
(fill out your "Remembering this Moment in Time" sheet)

Singing the Story "The first Noel" 199

Children’s Time "Remembering"
(Children then leave for choir practice or preschool play)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

*Doxology (119A) and Prayer

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

Pastoral Prayer

Special Music "Who would Send a Baby?" -Beall
Judy and David Ricci

Unison Scripture reading - Colossians 3:12-17 (back of bulletin)

Message - Reclaiming "the peace of Christ"

*Hymn             "As with gladness men of old"       218
                (If you are able and so wish, bring forward your
                                "Remembering this Moment in Time"
                           sheets and place in the capsule as we sing)

*Closing the Capsule

*Benediction

*Postlude

Call to Worship
(Psalm 148:1-2, 13-14 NRSV)

         "Praise the LORD!
                   Praise the LORD from the heavens;
                            praise him in the heights!
                                     Praise him, all his angels;
                                              praise him, all his host!
                   Let them praise the name of the LORD,
                                      for his name alone is exalted;
                                            his glory is above earth and heaven.
                           He has raised up a horn for his people,
                                                  praise for all his faithful,
                                                                for the people of Israel
                                                                         who are close to him.
                                       Praise the LORD!"

Please stand, "Good Christian friends, rejoice!"
# 210 in your hymnal

Opening Prayer

"Good" ... "Christian" ... "friends" ... do we really fit that billing, O Lord. So often we fall flat on our faces when it comes to being who you created us to be. We lag behind, all of us, when it comes to following your Son. Too easily we lose track of the "seventy times seven" ways of forgiving. "Turning the other check," and "going the second mile" become dim memories of something called "friendship." Have mercy, O God, for our "heart and soul" lag behind our "voice" when it comes to praise and joy.

Thank you for the precious gift you have placed into our lives, a birth we celebrated not all that long ago. Help us to orient ourselves in such a way that every morning we can say, "Christ is born today!" Not just two thousand years ago. Not just two weeks ago. But today, January 7^th, 2001. Not just in the ancient nearest land of Israel. Not just beneath a Christmas tree. But here in this place. Not just to Joseph and Mary and their "tribe." Not just to "tiny tots with their eyes all aglow." But to us, to me... "Christ is born today!

This is the day. We open the door to your knock, our Savior. Welcome! Amen.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

As the ushers come forward to receive our tithes and offerings, use the time to continue reflecting on the past year, writing down further thoughts you have, "Remembering this Moment in Time." May God be glorified in both the works of our hands and the meditations of our hearts and minds.

Prayer

While no pen can adequately describe your gift, O Lord, and no offering on our part be able to return to you our gratitude - even so, thank you. Simply: thank you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.