Dorchester United Church SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019 WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
ACKNOWLEGEMENT OF THE LAND
We acknowledge that we worship and live onthe traditional
territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron (Neutral), and
Wendat peoples. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.
MUSIC PRELUDE:
(We invite you to quiet reflection and preparation for worship)
CHRISTMAS HYMN SING
CALL TO WORSHIP: Prayer of Approach
My Heart, Your Manger
Like the stable in which you lay,
my heart is simple, frail as hay.
But if you would within me stay,
Make my heart your manger, I pray.
Make my world your Bethlehem,
centerpieced with heaven's Son.
Make this night a shepherd's sky,
quickened bright with holy dawn.
Rush the air with cherub wings.
Brush this earth. Let angels sing.
A glimpse of your face.
A taste of your grace.
Be born in this place.
we pray. Amen
Written by: Max Lucado
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with you…
And also with you.
HYMN: "
O Come All Ye Faithful" V.U. 60
SANCTUS
V.U. 315
*Children are welcomed to the front of the Sanctuary for Children's Time
during the Sanctus.
CHILDREN'S TIME: What was the best Present you got for Christmas CHILDREN'S PRAYER
LORD'S PRAYER
ANTHEM: Emmanuel God with Us
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE
Circle us, Lord
Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark word
Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation
Enable us to be victors over sin and despair
Enable us to become that which you would desire
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle us with the light of your presence
Circle us, Lord
Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms
Protect them in each moment of their daily lives
Protect them in the decisions that they face
Protect their homes and relationships
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle our families with the light of your presence
Circle us, Lord
Circle this nation with Advent love and hope
Create a desire to listen to the Advent message
Create a willingness to understand and respond
Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle our nation with the light of your presence
Circle us, Lord
Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope
Where there is torture and oppression bring release
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle this world with the light of your presence
You gave your all to the world
in the bleakness of that stable.
Love was born that day
Pure love
Undiluted
Poured out for all who call on Your name
Such Grace
Undeserved
deserves a response in the life that we lead.
Forgive our ingratitude for all you have done,
draw us to your Word, give us a new song to sing,
that will resonate throughout this world.
And begin with us today. Amen
God of love, Father of all,
the darkness that covered the earth
has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.
Make us a people of this light.
Make us faithful to your Word
that we may bring your life to the waiting world.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen
NEW CREED
:
We are not alone,
we live in God's world.
We believe in A God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God
INVITATION TO INVEST IN GOD'S MISSION: DOXOLOGY
HYMN: "
What Child Is This" (Greensleeves) V.U. 74
MESSAGE
: Did you get what you wanted for Christmas
"God with Us"
HYMN: "
O Holy Night"
BENEDICTION PRAYER Gracious, loving and merciful God,
during this Christmas season, as the light of your Word penetrates our
hearts,
as we are reminded of the gift of life and faith,
as the glories of the heavenly hosts are echoed in our church, we open
ourselves up to your Spirit and give you thanks.
We are grateful, Lord Jesus, that your story has become our story,
and we celebrate your birth.
We take to heart the wonder of your love, that we may walk in your ways
and delight in your will.
Help us, Lord God, to be the faithful, gracious, loving, giving and
forgiving people you would have us be.
Emmanuel God with Us
