FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 31, 2017 Dorchester United Church
Wherever you are, whoever you are, Join us in our Journey!
WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER:
It is time to let go of the old and to look forward to what a new year will
bring. How is your faith affected by releasing what is old?
MUSICAL PRELUDE
HYMN:
"Go, Tell It on the Mountain" V.U. 43
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christmas also comes to those of age and experience.
It came to Elizabeth and Zechariah, John's parents.
Simeon and Anna in the Temple had their promise fulfilled.
We respond to the Coming with a willingness to change.
We have waited patiently in silence and in Song.
Today our dreams and our longings have been made real.
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
V.U. 39
A PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we have sought You in places where we expected to find
You. But we were surprised to find You among the poor and lowly. Just
as the manger and the stable overturned our expectations, even so the
realities before us thoroughly confuse us. In the rough and tumble of
our world, show us again how You come to us in the very ordinariness of
life. AMEN
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
A very ordinary God comes to us in extraordinary ways. This is the wonder
of Christmas. Let us reflect on the Coming of Jesus into our topsy turvy
world and resolve to live a new life.
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
Angels We Have Heard on High" V.U. 38
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks, O God. V.U. 552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: The God who brought a child into the world has
destined this child to overturn systems and to shatter known
assumptions in every age. We offer up our lives and our worldly ways in
this holy act. AMEN
