Christmas 1
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C
Soul Motion
Object:
The wonderful cycle of the year,
with its hardships and periods of joy is celebrated ...
continued in the life of the human group.
-- Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Call To Worship
(Includes the lighting of the Christ candle in the Advent/Christmas Wreath; wreath may need to be refreshed; all candles are gone except the center large Christ candle. The Advent/Christmas tree can be left in place also, showing the symbols of the holy days and slowing down the culture's hurry to the next buying season.)
Leader: Happy New Year! 20?? is on the next calendar page! Christmas symbols are still here -- until Epiphany when our images change to depict a maturing Jesus. During these last four weeks, we've told our faith stories and our family memories; we've given gifts, as the magi gave gifts to the Christ Child and as God has given divine presence in Jesus of Nazareth.
People: From him we learn to be God-bearers in this world.
Leader: Our expectations have been met: God is among us in new ways.
People: Like angels, we sing to God; like shepherds, we honor God and all creation.
Leader: Praise God! Hallelujah!
People: Light the Christ candle again to remind us that Christ is light for the world and banishes our own darkness!
(Someone lights the Christ candle.)
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader or Unison)
Living God -- how awesome you are, Creator of the cosmos! Mountains and trees, birds and reptiles all indicate your imagination! Thank you for making us creative like you. Thank you for our imaginations that impel us to express our love for you in many ways! We are grateful for the Christmas season and the gift of the Divine Child, Jesus. In this hour, our hearts and minds await your inspiration. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
Wise men and women in our pasts have followed bright stars. Like the magi so long ago, we look for signs and symbols to guide us toward holiness. In these few moments, we consider the visual and aural artifacts that we allow in our space. Reflect on activities for your body and soul as you move from 20?? to 20??. Pray with me the printed prayer and then listen in silence for the Divine Voice.
Community Confession (Unison)
Loving God -- as we look back over this last year, we are aware of things we wish we had done differently.
Sometimes we have not been hospitable; sometimes we have been stingy; sometimes we have spoken unkindly; sometimes we have been nasty.
Relieve us of guilt and help us be aware of the opportunities when we can manifest your goodness in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and in our church.
Empower us with newly birthed delight and go with us as peace into the world. Amen.
Word Of Grace (Leader)
The magi did not travel alone. Nor do we. In community we see our best and our worst selves. With one another, we experience the seasons of the year and our own developmental processes. It is good news that we are not isolated but journey together through periods of joy and hardship. We are a gift from God to one another. In fact, we are people of God; God loves us and we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance. Hallelujah!
Congregational Choral Response
As With Gladness, tune: DIX (v. 4)
Holy Jesus, every day, keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
Sermon Idea
The Christmas epic is told as family events and as a tribal event. Luke leaves out the story of visiting wise men and proceeds to name, circumcise, and present the baby at the temple where we hear Simeon bless him in the presence of his parents. The details of Jesus' life are sketchy but today's gospel story reports the family going to Passover festival annually. The episode today presents a savvy twelve-year-old who revels in intellectual, theological, and political dialogue with adults in positions of authority. We see the child in conflict with his parents over what he perceives to be his life call. The stage is set for tension between Jesus and people in power. Individuals responding to the Spirit today run into the shoulds and oughts of previous empires as Jesus did in the first century. Nevertheless, we are to be about growing in wisdom and peaceableness topped with large doses of compassion.
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
We wait and seek; we search and journey until God meets us in stables and on streets, in our backyards, and at computers.
The Holy meets our humanity in the commotion of birth and birthday parties.
The Christ shines like a star to bless and guide our wanderings.
Holy Spirit lives through us as masculine and feminine gestures manifesting a bit of heaven here on earth.
All nature announces the imagination of the Creating God! Hallelujah!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
With our tithes and offerings, with our talents and money, we honor God.
Doxology
What Star Is This With Beams So Bright? (v. 4)
tune: PUER NOBIS NASCITUM
To God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit -- three in one,
May every tongue and nation raise an endless song of thankful praise.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
Light of the World -- thank you for the goodness we experience. When tomorrow's path is unclear, help us to be patient.
Mothering God -- thank you for these holidays, for all the activities that make us happy and tired. When we ache, touch us with patient wholeness. Nurture our souls and bodies so we are healthy as we manifest your hospitality in the world.
Fathering God -- thank you for your presence. We appreciate your love and creative energies. Expand our imaginations so we can participate in your reign on this earth.
Keeper of Time and Eternity -- thank you for the blessings of this past year, for varied adventures with your Spirit, for new opportunities to know ourselves and others. Thank you for the men and women, century after century, who passed along the stories of your birth among humankind. Help us midwife your goodness in our neighborhoods. Thank you for our children. Keep them safe and hopeful.
Dreamer of a New Reign -- this is a season of peace, we like to think. When we are honest, we see that peace is a long way off, a long time coming. But like shepherds and young parents in every generation, we pray for peace throughout the global village, in our families, and in our minds. We wish the beauty of Eden and the tranquility of the stable would surround the whole cosmos. Overflow your creativity through us so that you are loose and lively in the world. Amen!
Benediction (Leader)
May the beauty of a sleeping baby fill you with wonder;
The curiosity of a toddler dance in your toes;
The anticipation of a lover carry you into tomorrow;
The peace of Christ soothe your mind;
The joy of the Holy Spirit brighten your whole day and night!
While we are absent from this place, know that you are cradled by the living God!
Happy New Year!
Music
Any Christmas carols
with its hardships and periods of joy is celebrated ...
continued in the life of the human group.
-- Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Call To Worship
(Includes the lighting of the Christ candle in the Advent/Christmas Wreath; wreath may need to be refreshed; all candles are gone except the center large Christ candle. The Advent/Christmas tree can be left in place also, showing the symbols of the holy days and slowing down the culture's hurry to the next buying season.)
Leader: Happy New Year! 20?? is on the next calendar page! Christmas symbols are still here -- until Epiphany when our images change to depict a maturing Jesus. During these last four weeks, we've told our faith stories and our family memories; we've given gifts, as the magi gave gifts to the Christ Child and as God has given divine presence in Jesus of Nazareth.
People: From him we learn to be God-bearers in this world.
Leader: Our expectations have been met: God is among us in new ways.
People: Like angels, we sing to God; like shepherds, we honor God and all creation.
Leader: Praise God! Hallelujah!
People: Light the Christ candle again to remind us that Christ is light for the world and banishes our own darkness!
(Someone lights the Christ candle.)
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader or Unison)
Living God -- how awesome you are, Creator of the cosmos! Mountains and trees, birds and reptiles all indicate your imagination! Thank you for making us creative like you. Thank you for our imaginations that impel us to express our love for you in many ways! We are grateful for the Christmas season and the gift of the Divine Child, Jesus. In this hour, our hearts and minds await your inspiration. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
Wise men and women in our pasts have followed bright stars. Like the magi so long ago, we look for signs and symbols to guide us toward holiness. In these few moments, we consider the visual and aural artifacts that we allow in our space. Reflect on activities for your body and soul as you move from 20?? to 20??. Pray with me the printed prayer and then listen in silence for the Divine Voice.
Community Confession (Unison)
Loving God -- as we look back over this last year, we are aware of things we wish we had done differently.
Sometimes we have not been hospitable; sometimes we have been stingy; sometimes we have spoken unkindly; sometimes we have been nasty.
Relieve us of guilt and help us be aware of the opportunities when we can manifest your goodness in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and in our church.
Empower us with newly birthed delight and go with us as peace into the world. Amen.
Word Of Grace (Leader)
The magi did not travel alone. Nor do we. In community we see our best and our worst selves. With one another, we experience the seasons of the year and our own developmental processes. It is good news that we are not isolated but journey together through periods of joy and hardship. We are a gift from God to one another. In fact, we are people of God; God loves us and we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance. Hallelujah!
Congregational Choral Response
As With Gladness, tune: DIX (v. 4)
Holy Jesus, every day, keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
Sermon Idea
The Christmas epic is told as family events and as a tribal event. Luke leaves out the story of visiting wise men and proceeds to name, circumcise, and present the baby at the temple where we hear Simeon bless him in the presence of his parents. The details of Jesus' life are sketchy but today's gospel story reports the family going to Passover festival annually. The episode today presents a savvy twelve-year-old who revels in intellectual, theological, and political dialogue with adults in positions of authority. We see the child in conflict with his parents over what he perceives to be his life call. The stage is set for tension between Jesus and people in power. Individuals responding to the Spirit today run into the shoulds and oughts of previous empires as Jesus did in the first century. Nevertheless, we are to be about growing in wisdom and peaceableness topped with large doses of compassion.
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
We wait and seek; we search and journey until God meets us in stables and on streets, in our backyards, and at computers.
The Holy meets our humanity in the commotion of birth and birthday parties.
The Christ shines like a star to bless and guide our wanderings.
Holy Spirit lives through us as masculine and feminine gestures manifesting a bit of heaven here on earth.
All nature announces the imagination of the Creating God! Hallelujah!
Offertory Statement (Leader)
With our tithes and offerings, with our talents and money, we honor God.
Doxology
What Star Is This With Beams So Bright? (v. 4)
tune: PUER NOBIS NASCITUM
To God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit -- three in one,
May every tongue and nation raise an endless song of thankful praise.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
Light of the World -- thank you for the goodness we experience. When tomorrow's path is unclear, help us to be patient.
Mothering God -- thank you for these holidays, for all the activities that make us happy and tired. When we ache, touch us with patient wholeness. Nurture our souls and bodies so we are healthy as we manifest your hospitality in the world.
Fathering God -- thank you for your presence. We appreciate your love and creative energies. Expand our imaginations so we can participate in your reign on this earth.
Keeper of Time and Eternity -- thank you for the blessings of this past year, for varied adventures with your Spirit, for new opportunities to know ourselves and others. Thank you for the men and women, century after century, who passed along the stories of your birth among humankind. Help us midwife your goodness in our neighborhoods. Thank you for our children. Keep them safe and hopeful.
Dreamer of a New Reign -- this is a season of peace, we like to think. When we are honest, we see that peace is a long way off, a long time coming. But like shepherds and young parents in every generation, we pray for peace throughout the global village, in our families, and in our minds. We wish the beauty of Eden and the tranquility of the stable would surround the whole cosmos. Overflow your creativity through us so that you are loose and lively in the world. Amen!
Benediction (Leader)
May the beauty of a sleeping baby fill you with wonder;
The curiosity of a toddler dance in your toes;
The anticipation of a lover carry you into tomorrow;
The peace of Christ soothe your mind;
The joy of the Holy Spirit brighten your whole day and night!
While we are absent from this place, know that you are cradled by the living God!
Happy New Year!
Music
Any Christmas carols
