Welcome
Prelude
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (arr. Schram)
Hymn
#
328
"Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place"
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angel’s wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Welcome of All & Call to Worship
We praise God
Opening Hymn
#
210
"All Earth is Waiting"
All verses
1. All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
and the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
2. Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel,”
for his name is “God with us,” our brother shall be,
with him hope will blossom once more within our hearts.
Opening Prayer
God of abundance and dawn-breaking hope, we come with hearts of thanks. Teach us to notice grace as those healed by mercy, and to live in a posture of gratitude as we await the coming Light. In joy and in struggle, we give thanks, trusting You are near and always renewing. Amen.
Hymn
#
72
"Gloria, Gloria"
Gloria, Gloria, in Excelsis Deo!
Gloria! Gloria! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Greeting One Another with the Sign of Peace
Leader: Peace be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us share the Peace of Christ with great joy.
We hear God's word
Scripture
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 & Luke 17:11-17
Click the button below to read today's scripture on Bible Gateway (external site):
Hymn
#
147
"All Things Bright and Beautiful"
All verses
Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful:
the Lord God made them all.
1. Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
and made their tiny wings.
(Refrain)
2. The purple-headed mountains,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky.
(Refrain)
3. The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
God made them every one.
(Refrain)
4. God gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.
(Refrain)
Today's Message
We celebrate community
Joys and Concerns
You may end your prayer with “This is my prayer.”
We all respond with “This is our prayer.”
Pastoral Prayer & Lord's Prayer
Our Father-Mother, 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.
We celebrate tithing & offering
Offertory Hymn
"We'll Dress the House" (an Alfred Burt Christmas Carol)
Doxology
#
95
"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, ye creatures here below,
Praise God, ye hosts in heaven above,
Praise God, the Trinity of Love. Amen.
Offertory/Commitment Prayer
Giver of every good gift, we offer our resources with grateful hearts. As we give, may thanksgiving shape our lives and generosity widen our compassion. Let these offerings become light for those longing for hope and warmth for those in need, as we prepare our hearts for the One who comes among us still. Amen.
Closing
Closing Hymn
#
2008
"Let All Things Now Living"
All verses
1. Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
to God the Creator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
who guides us on to the end of our days.
God's banners fly o’er us,
God's light goes before us,
a pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.
2. The law God enforces, the stars in their courses,
and sun in its orbit, obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean proclaim the Divine.
We, too, should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise,
till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
to God in the highest hosanna and praise.