Sunday December 31, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — “From Heaven Above I Come to You” Johann Pachelbel
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
Faithful God, we rejoice that you have sent your promised Christ. And yet, O God, we confess that we are still not ready for Christ’s coming; we are reluctant to live as if the whole earth were your domain. We know the story—the shepherds, the angels, the magi—but we don’t fully understand what it means. Awaken us to your Spirit, let Christ’s birth make a difference in our lives, and grant us your peace, through the grace of Jesus Christ.           
 -Ruth C. Duck in The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                        
God is here! The Messiah has come!
       We open our eyes to see him and lift our hearts to worship him.
We have come to exalt the name of Jesus, our Savior and King,
       and to bring glory to God the Father.
He came as a baby in a manger.
       O come, let us adore him.
He came in a lowly stable.
       O come, let us adore him.
Shepherds brought their worship.
       O come, let us adore him.
Angels sang his praise.
       O come, let us adore him.
Magi brought their gifts.
       O come, let us adore him.
What shall we do?
       O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord! Amen.

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #119 — Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing — MENDELSSOHN
(*Please stand if you are able)         

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                                                 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of love, all year long we pursue power and money, yet you come in weakness.  All season long we covet great material gifts, when you alone offer what is lasting.  Through the work of this Lord Jesus, who comes among us full of grace and truth, forgive us, heal us, correct us.  Then open our lips, that we may sing your praise with the angels, and remake our lives, that we may bear witness to your transforming love.  Through Christ, our Lord, we pray.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#121) — “O Little Town of Bethlehem” — ST. LOUIS
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!                                                                            

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                  
*GLORIA PATRI — “Gloria“ — GLORIA
Glo—ria in excelsis Deo! Glo—ria in excelsis Deo!                                                                                         

WELCOME               
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

*HYMN 132 — Good Christian Friends, Rejoice — IN DULCI JUMILO

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON — Galatians 4: 4-7 — page 947 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

 ANTHEM — The Call — Ralph Vaughan Williams

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

THE GOSPEL LESSON — Luke 2: 22-40 — page 833 of the pew Bible  
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — “Jesus and the Old People” — Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from The Nicene Creed                     
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.  Who, for us and our salvation, came down from heaven, and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man.

*SANCTUS — “Holy, Holy, God Almighty” — DIVINUM MYSTERIUM

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Were You There on That Christmas Night? — Natalie Sleeth

*DOXOLOGY (#607) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore.  Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of wonder, we offer you our gifts, signs of your goodness and mercy.  Receive them with our gratitude, that through our efforts, others may know the riches of your love in the Word-made-flesh.  Amen.

*HYMN #136 — Go, Tell It on the Mountain — GO TELL IT

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE (#545) — Lord, Bid Your Servant Go In Peace — LAND OF REST

POSTLUDE — “Voluntary” — John Stanley