Worship - January 1, 2006

Leader: Clap your hands, all you nations
                 shout to God with cries of joy!
People: How majestic is the Lord Most High;
                 how mighty is the great Sovereign over all the earth!
Leader: Sing praises to God;
                 sing psalms in God's honor.
People: God reigns over the nations;
                 God is exalted over all.
      All: Praise the Lord, all people;
                 praise God's everlasting name!

Hymnal #681, Psalm 63:1-4,
adapted from Revised Standard Version

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

by Allen Hackett, Prayers for a Pastor.
�1951 Women's League of the Central Union Church,
Honolulu, Hawaii
p. 86, For All Who Minister, Brethren Press, 1993

Affirmation of faith

He was the Son of God.
         He was the Son of Man.
He came down from heaven.
         He was born in a stable.
Kings came to his cradle.
         His first home was a cave.
He was born to be a king.
         He was a child of Mary.
He was the greatest among rulers.
         He was the least among servants.
He was loved and honored.
         He was despised and rejected.
He was gentle and loving.
         He made many enemies.
He counseled perfection.
         He was a friend of sinners.
He was a joyful companion.
         He was a man of sorrows.
He said, "Rejoice."
         He said, "Repent."
"Love God with all your heart."
         "Love your neighbor as yourself."
"Don't be anxious."
         "Count the cost."
"Deny yourself."
         "Ask and receive."
In him was life.
         He died on a cross.
He was a historic person.
         He lives today.
He was Jesus of Nazareth.
         He is Christ the Lord.

Hymnal #714
adapted from We Gather Together, Kenneth I. Morse,
�1979 Brethren Press.

Pastoral Prayer

O God, in the stillness of these moments, we come to you.
         You are as near to us
                  as our own breathing,
                  as our innermost thoughts,
                  as our deepest yearnings.
         You meet us here.
Can we also meet you, our God, in the ordinary paths of life?
Do we see your face in the faces of persons around us?
Our confession is that we often miss your presence
                  in the busyness of life.
Forgive us when our eyes are blind or our hearts are hardened
                  to your everyday presence.
Clear our vision this day, God, that we may find you more clearly,
         in laughter and in tears,
         in celebration and in sorrow,
         in the freshness of childhood,
         in the vitality of youth,
         in the productivity of mid-life,
         in the integrity of older age.
O God, help us to sec you in all of life.
Today we gather as part of Christ's body.
We pray for each person, and for all that we bring:
         Some of us are celebrating family visits,
                  birthdays, anniversaries, milestones reached.
Be with us as a special guest in our joys and our celebrations.

(Here the minister may pray for joys shared
or invite the congregation to pray silently.)

Some of us are experiencing pain, illness, uncertainty, despair.
Healing and hope seem far removed from the present moment.
Grant, O God, the sure knowledge that you too
know the meaning of pain and despair,
and can be a close companion to us.

(Here the minister may pray for concerns raised
or invite the congregation to prey silently.)

God of all peoples, and all creation,
we also bring concerns that reach far beyond this place of worship:

(Here the minister may pray for world needs
or invite the congregation to pray silently.)

O God,
touch us where we are unfeeling and uncaring;
prod us where we are apathetic or stubborn;
nurture us when we are slow to catch on;
pick us up when we stumble and fall;
challenge us to live as your children. Amen.

by June Adams Gibble
p. 117-118, For All Who Minister, Brethren Press, 1993

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) So wrote "The preacher" of the Old Testament (also known as "Ecclesiastes"). On this first day of a brand new year, that�s an appropriate verse to remember. May God teach us the lessons of this season and time. The matter at hand for this moment is the giving of our tithes and offerings. Will the ushers come forward now to receive what we have to share.

Dedication

Teach us, good Lord,
         to serve you as you deserve;
         to give and not to count the cost;
         to toil and not to seek for rest;
         to labor and not to ask for reward,
                  except that of knowing that we do your will;
         through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

by Ignatius of Loyola, 16th century
p. 121, For All Who Minister, Brethren Press, 1993

Benediction