Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
December 27, 2009
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am

The First Sunday of Christmas 

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude                          "Glory to God in the Highest"                        Pergolesi

  Call to Worship                           Isaiah 9:2-7

*Hymn                            "To us a child of hope is born"                               189

*Opening Prayer

  Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle

  Song                                    "The Lord is coming"                            (see insert)

  Scripture                                      Luke 2:1-7

  For Children                             "Baby Jesus"

  Hymn                                    "Away in a manger"                                       194

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
                                 (please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

  Quietly turning              (vs. 4) "O little town of Bethlehem"                             191

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                      Psalm 148

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                                    "Silent Night"                               arr. Vibbard
                                        (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

  Hymn                            "Oh, how shall I receive thee"                                182

  Scripture                                    1 John 1:1-4

  Message                       "Mr. Funnytalk's Story"
                                                    (in mp3 file)

*Hymn                           "It came upon a midnight clear"                               195

*Benediction

*Postlude                         "Hail to the Lord’s Anointed"                          Farmer

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Opening Prayer

O God of peace who is above every prince;
    God of wisdom and wonder who is above every counselor;
    God of passionate power who is above every ruler who believes that might makes right;
    Everlasting God who has seen empires rise and fall;
            watch over us this hour,
            continue to prepare us for the coming of your Kingdom,
            help us to proclaim your saving truth.
This we pray with joy in the name of the One upon whose shoulders your authority rests. Amen.
     

Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle

(The two advent candlelighters - a couple married here last summer, one of whom was baptized around Easter-time - come forward during the first hymn and stand, one on either side of the worship center. One should have the cordless mic from the back. On the way, the other picks up the mic from the stand up front and brings it forward. After the Opening Prayer, these candle lighters are voices 1 & 2 below. Wait to begin until the congregation is seated.)

1 - “To us a child of hope is born,

2 - to us a Son is given.”

1 - This is past history and present reality.

2 - Though our celebration of Christ’s birth has already taken place,

1 - we continue to anticipate the coming of God’s kingdom.

2 - Like the disciples who have followed Jesus before us, we stand at the edge of a great Adventure.

1 - The future is God’s open book.

2 - With eyes wide open we watch for it.

(re-light the first candle)

1 - With hearts and minds engaged in the needs of today, we prepare for it.

(re-light the second candle)

2 - With boldness and compassion, we proclaim it.

(re-light the third candle)

1 - Christ was born to save the world.

                (re-light the fourth candle)

1 - Through all our watching and preparing and proclaiming, we are mindful that this is God’s work in us, here and now.

2 - God is not finished. We step toward God’s future.

1 - “I am the light of the world,” Jesus said.

(re-light the central Christ candle)

2 - “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

(The two candle lighters then quietly return to their seats as we sing the next song. Along the way, return one mic to the stand and the other to the ushers in the back.)

isten to an mp3 file of the above

For Children
"Baby Jesus"

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Please pray with me:

            King of Kings, we join the angels in singing your unending praise. You alone created the universe in all its glory. We present these gifts knowing that they will be transformed into ministries of good news. Bless this offering so our giving honors your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

from the Center for Stewardship, UMC
written by David S. Bell, currently Vice-President of Stewardship
with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.
Copyright 2009 David S. Bell.
 

Benediction