GATHERING
GREETINGAND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE ` Patty Bell
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Leader: Let us celebrate! We are members of God’s family!
People: We are all children of God through faith is Jesus Christ.
Leader: We were slaves—slaves to sin and slaves to the law.
People: But now we are baptized in Christ.
Leader: We who were far from God have now been brought near.
People: We who did not know God are now embraced by God’s love.
Leader: It no longer matters if we are male or female, rich or poor.
People: In Christ we are all children, all heirs to God’s extravagant grace.
Leader: God withholds nothing from us, his heirs.
People: God blesses us with every spiritual blessing.
Leader: The Lord lavishes us with his presence and grants us wisdom and understanding.
People: The Lord forgives our sin and bestows his peace upon us.
Leader: God gives us the Spirit.
People: We call God, “Dad” and Jesus “brother.”
Leader: It is a family celebration!
People: Let us rejoice and give thanks. We are the children of GOD!
*PRAISE MUSIC: “Joy To The World” UMH 246
PSALM 148: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stare! Praise him you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
HYMN: “He Is Born” UMH 228
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PASTORAL PRAYER: Holy God, all things are yours. You experience no shortages, no scarcity, no lack or deficiency, and you share your wealth with us. You are generous always, unrestrained in the outpouring of your grace. Your mercy is unending. Your love is relentless Your compassion is unbounded. You reveal your truth to us. You imprint us with your image. You illumine our lives with the light of your presence. We are as rich as kings, yet far too often we live as paupers. Embolden us to grow into the sons and daughters you have created us to be, by the power of your Spirit who resides within us. For the sake of Christ and his kingdom we pray. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING UMH 234 refrain only
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
MUSICAL MESSAGE Pixie Goodnight
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Galatians 4:4-7 PB, pg. 178
GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 2:22-40 PB, pg. 55
SCRIPTURE MESSAGE Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING UMH 12-14
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: UMH 238 refrain only
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
*BLESSING