Worship Service – January 3, 2021
10:15am Facebook Live Stream Worship Sunday
Opening Prayer: Ever loving God, we come to a new year with hopes and dreams, fears, and doubts. As we step across the threshold of this new year, may we have confidence in your abiding presence in all the myriad aspects of our lives. Open us to all, in this time of worship, the possibilities and promises a new year can bring. Bring your new heaven and new earth, that we may live with you in justice and peace. We pray this in the name of God, the alpha and omega, the one of new beginnings. Amen.
Passing of the Peace: (L)The Peace of Christ be with you
(P) And Also with you.
Opening Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful #234
CALL TO CONFESSION
Matthew 10:32 32″Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. So, let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and pray together.
Prayer of Confession: Ever present, ever loving God, we come to this new year mindful of the things we have done and left undone in the past. Forgive the times when we did not reach out in love to the least of your sons and daughters. Forgive us, O God, when we closed our eyes to the sight of people living in rags on the street; when we stopped our ears to cries of those who are lonely; when we turned away from the sight of swollen,
malnourished bodies. Help us to see you in all we meet. Help us to be your hands, feet, and voice in this world. May we work for a world where no one will be a stranger, and where all will be welcomed into your eternal glory. Amen.
Words of Assurance: Our God is a God of compassion and love, ready to forgive all who truly repent and desire to live a life of justice and love. Know that the God who calls us to be members of God’s family, will welcome you with open arms of grace and forgiveness.
Hymn of Illumination: UMH#349 “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” (1st Verse only)
Children’s Chat
Offertory call
Remember the words Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Offertory Music Sue Keasler
Offering (click here to tithe online)
Doxology
Offertory Prayer: O God of all seasons and purposes under heaven, we come in this season of new beginnings to pray for guidance in all the aspects of our lives. Help us to remember that no matter what happens, you are always with us— in times of joy and sadness, life and death, silence and speech, dancing and mourning, war and peace. May our lives reflect the
glory to your name. As we are mindful of the past, let us rejoice in the future. We pray in the name of the God of all of our days and ways. Amen.
Special Song
The Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
L: This is the word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.
Song of Response Thy Word is a Lamp UMH# 601
Message The World to be Holy by Pastor Ed
The Great Thanksgiving
Announcements
Closing Hymn Grace That is Greater than Our Sin (3 Stanzas only) UMH #365
Benediction
Postlude