Worship - January 3, 2016

Worship Order for Sunday

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
January 3, 2016
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

The Second Sunday of Christmas

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) “Good Christian friends, rejoice” 210
Announcements
Prelude

*Responsive Call to Worship

*Hymn “Here in this place” 6

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Ephesians 1:3-14

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Response (vs. 3) “What child is this” 215

*Unison Confession/Dedication

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

Prayer 720

Hymn “Let all mortal flesh keep silence” 463

Scripture John 1:10-18

Message “Promises Made, Kept, and Broken”
Dan Randazzo

*Hymn “Once in royal David’s city” (insert)

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

On this first Sunday of a new year, we turn to the prophet Jeremiah, and the promise of God to exiles, calling them to come home. Rise now, in body or spirit, and speak with me this good news to the weary and broken.

One: This is what the Lord says:

All : “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations.

One: Make your praises heard, and say,

All: ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

One: See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth.

All: Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.

One: They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back.

All: I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble,

One: because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

Jeremiah 31:7-9 adapted from the New International Version®, NIV®
© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Opening Prayer

Your chosen city gives you all the glory, LORD;
the people sing your praises from your sacred mountain!

You a like a wall of safety around the city,
and you see that our children grow up healthy and happy.

You give us peace in our own land,
and good crops to keep us well fed.

You give orders to the earth itself,
and your word is quickly acted upon.

When you say “Blazing Sun”, the shadows shrink to nothing;
when you say “Dry”, the trees wither to brown.

When you say “Heat”, everything begins to melt;
when you say “Fire”, it all goes up in smoke.

When you give the word, everything greens up again;
your breath comes like a cool change;
the rains return and the creeks flow once more.

You broadcast your message to your people,
and spell out the standards of justice you want us to live by.

It is a privilege to know your ways,
for not everyone has been given such inside information.
LORD, we sing your praises!

Amen!

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

As your return your offering, look over the Unison Confession/Dedication we will soon pray. Use it to think over the year which has just finished - its high-points and low valleys; the moments you’d rather forget, as well as the ones to which you still cling; the things you’ve done (or not done) over which you are proud, and those which embarrass you. A new year gives us the opportunity to release and start fresh. Actually, every new day lived in Christ does also. But, since this is the first Sunday of 2016, let’s set the pattern and begin anew as God’s children – redeemed and forgiven, lavished with the riches of his grace.

Ushers, come and guide our giving.

Unison Confession/Dedication

Eternal God, who can make all things new, we humbly bring before you the record of our lives in the year now ending. Where life has been good to us, do not let us take more of the credit than we deserve. Where we have been good to others, help us to forget all thoughts of honor and reward. Where we have fallen short, forgive us, and free us from brooding over what is past. Cleanse us by your mercy, guide us by your truth, fill us with your love, lead us forward in your all-conquering hope. Through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

by Paul J. Flucke from Bread for the Journey,
Ruth C. Duck, ed., Ó1981 The Pilgrim Press

Prayer

ALL: Listening God,
               you hear our prayers before we speak,
                     yet welcome our praying;
               therefore we come with confidence
                      to lay our requests before you.

Leader: We pray for Christian everywhere,
                   for our denomination and our congregation,
                   for faithfulness and strength to persevere in righteousness.
             We pray for the whole people of God.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray for the nations of the world,
                   for all leaders
                   and for those who make policy decisions.
             We pray for the commonwealth of our global community.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray for those who are overcome by violence,
                   for victims of injustice or oppression,
                   and for those in poverty or pain,
             We pray for all who need healing and peace.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray for those who endure trials,
                   for those who are dying,
                   and for those who mourn.
             We pray for all who need comfort and hope.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: You have heard the prayers of your people, O God.
We rest in the comfort of your care,
as we pray in Jesus' name.

ALL: AMEN

Benediction

to be blessed by the guest preacher