12/29/19 10:10am Service - 1st Sunday after Christmas

Today is the first Sunday after Christmas. We hope you had a very Merry Christmas, and our prayers are for a blessed New Year.

Prelude
As the music starts before the service, take some time to center yourself in God's presence and direct your thoughts to him.

Meet & Greet
This is a time to say hi to the folks around you, and to share in God's peace and grace as we gather as a community of faith

​First Hymn: #251 Go, Tell it on the Mountain

No activities this week.
If you would like to make any end of the year contributions, please either leave them at the office, or have them postmarked by 12/31/2019

Joys & Concerns
This is a time to share the good things, joys, and celebrations in that have taken place in the last week, as well as the hard things and concerns that we face.

Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Lord's Prayer
Take some time to lift your prayers up to God, especially the joys and concerns that have been stated, or that have been left unstated. After some time for silent prayer, Pastor John will lead in a few words of prayer, and then we'll join together in 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Children's Message
This is a time led by a church member with a message specially for our kids. Afterwards, the children are invited to go with the Sunday School teachers downstairs for their own special part of the service. They'll come back up at the end of the service. 
As the children come forward, please join in singing the first verse of Jesus Loves Me

1. Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! (sing 3x’s)
The Bible tells me so.

Offertory
The ushers will come forward and receive the offering plates. The liturgist will say a prayer as we begin a time to give to God. This isn't just about the money that we put in the plates, but it is about how we give to God out of our love for him.

Doxology
After the offertory has finished, please stand as you are able, and join in giving thanks to God for these offerings. Please join in singing the doxology.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer & Scripture: Luke 2:36-40
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Leader: This is the Word of God, for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God!

Second Hymn: #217 Away in a Manger

Message: Gideon's Sunday

Final Hymn: #246 Joy to the World

​Benediction
Go and let God's mission become integrated into every part of your life. Know that God doesn't just forgive sin, but gives us wholeness and purpose in our lives so that we can live the best life possible.