Happy New Year Meed’s Memorial UMC
Today, as we start the New Year, we invite Christmas to linger just a little in our church and in our hearts. In our worship today, we ask what it means to keep the glory of Christmas and the joy of Christ as the guide for our lives throughout the entire year.
January 3rd, 2020
2nd Sunday after Christmas Day
Announcements:
Greetings of Grace and Peace:
Call to Worship:
From the stillness of the blessed night of Jesus’ birth
We come before You, O God, in praise and thanksgiving.
From the astounding news sung to the shepherds
We thank You for the gift of Your Son.
Let our hearts keep the joy and peace of Christmas always.
Let our spirits rejoice in God’s presence with us.
Fill us with Your love, O God.
Pour your peace upon us that we may be bearers of Your Good News. AMEN!
Opening Prayer:
God of Promise and mysterious Light, be with us this day as we journey in our faith; to meet your Gift. Give us courage and hope along our way, as your light will continue to glow brightly in our path, leading us to service and discipleship in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Songs of Praise:
Prayer of Confession:
Friends, as we gather our thoughts into quietness,
we confess our sins to the One who knows us best.
We know ourselves chosen, adopted as children of God.
We dare to believe that you and I are part of a plan
conceived before the foundation of the universe.
But are we living as God’s children?
Are we honoring our inheritance?
We know ourselves called, but we’re so easily distracted.
We know ourselves loved, but we balk at the cost.
Come, friends, let us confess our sins to the Lord.
Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 1:3 – 14
Gospel Reading: John 1:10-18
Call to Offering:
Message: Believe
John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer:
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Another Thought on Today’s Scripture:
Pastoral Prayer:
Now the Work of Christmas Begins:*
Dismissal with Blessing:
*Video Courtesy of Igniter Media
