Christmas 1
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series III, Cycle A
Object:
Greeting And Opening Litany
P: Brothers and sisters, we gather on this day
in the name of the one who has bound himself
to us in love, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
A: Sent from heaven and born in our lives,
C: let us rejoice at the presence of Christ among us.
A: Out of Egypt and into the land of Israel,
C: he calls us his brothers and sisters.
A: Abounding in steadfast love,
C: let us remember all that God has done for us. Amen.
Prayer Of The Day
P: O Holy One of Israel, we give you thanks for the birth of your Son, the sign of your presence who fills the world. Fill our lives with your joy, that we will forever sing praise in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, through all ages of ages.
C: Amen.
Blessing Of College And University Students
Remember on this day to recognize your congregation's students who have returned home on holiday.
P: We give you thanks, loving God, for the gifts of independence and growth, for the gifts of leaving and returning. We give you thanks for the gifts of inquisitive minds and thoughtful actions. We give you thanks for hearts that seek your wisdom. Bless our sons and daughters during their academic journeys that their days of study may be filled with your joy, and the knowledge they acquire may be put to service in your kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
A: Sisters and brothers, let us pray for the lives of the young:
Silence
L: Gracious God, may your birth in our lives empower us to seek your will in new ways. May we hear your voice in the voices of this world's children. May we protect them, advocate for them, nourish them, honor them, and teach them your ways. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Let us pray for the healing of the nations:
Silence
L: O Giver of Peace, you were born defenseless in an occupied territory. Grant us vision to see the world from your eyes, that we might know what it means to trust in another's mercy. Grant that we might act with such faith in all our decision making. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Let us pray for all who are sojourners:
Silence
L: O God of exile and return, we ask you to watch over our loved ones who travel, and we give you thanks for those whom you have brought safely to us in this holy time. We lift before you all who are separated from friends and family through geography, strife, illness, or fear. Teach us to seek out the lonely and to love them as you do. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Let us pray for harmony in our communities:
Silence
L: O God of all times and of all places, you have made us in your image and called us your own. Fill our hearts with courage, that we may enter this new year as messengers of peace. May we dream new dreams, and meet you in new places. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: And for what else do the people of God pray:
Silence
P: Gather our hearts, so that united in love, we may ever rejoice at your birth in our lives.
C: Amen.
Offertory Prayer
A: Father in heaven,
C: like Joseph, you have dreamed our future. Like Joseph, you have carried us in your arms. Receive these gifts filled with our thanks. Teach us to live in ways that are pleasing to you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our infant Lord. Amen.
Benediction
P: May the Lord lift you up,
and carry you in his arms eternally.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Choral Music
"A Hymn For The Days After Christmas" -- Randall Sensmeier (GIA)
"Carol Of The Stranger" -- Rory Cooney (GIA)
"God's Surprise" -- arr. Walter Pelz (GIA)
"Rise Up, Shepherds, And Follow" -- arr. Robert Leaf (Art Masters Studios)
"The First Noel/Pachelbel's Canon" -- Michael Clawson (Alfred)
Service Notes
This traditionally low Sunday may be the time to have a hymn sing. Use those Christmas hymns that weren't chosen for Christmas Eve (such as "A La Rue/O Sleep, Dear Holy Baby," PH 45 or "The Aye Carol" GATHER 277). Find those that may have appeared in earlier hymnals but have been forgotten in recent times. Rather than having the congregation sing every verse, divide the congregation into high and low voices, left and right sides of the sanctuary, under forty and over forty. Use a different pattern on each hymn. Since the choir may have this Sunday "off," use one or two soloists, if possible. If you did not do this on Christmas Eve, have the congregation sing verses 1, 2, and 4 of a four-verse hymn, and on verse three, have the organist continue playing while the text of that verse is spoken by a leader. This is a day for recorder, flute, and violin obligatos to flow freely. If your musicians are inexperienced, have them simply play the alto or tenor line up an octave on the final verse of a hymn.
Today is also a day to include some time for silent meditation. In our North American culture, the preceding weeks have included a flurry of school, civic, familial, and church activities. Be intentional in your presidential style about giving time for people to slow down, and to receive the grace that is being given. On the eve of a new year, help them to breathe deeply the joy that comes from thankful hearts. Rather than making unreachable resolutions, give them time and instruction to form their petitions for guidance in the months to come. This can be done either at the close of the intercessions or immediately preceding the close of the service. It can be done in (near) total silence or with accompanying organ/keyboard music in the background. Close the time of prayer with the singing of a final verse of a familiar Christmas hymn.
P: Brothers and sisters, we gather on this day
in the name of the one who has bound himself
to us in love, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
A: Sent from heaven and born in our lives,
C: let us rejoice at the presence of Christ among us.
A: Out of Egypt and into the land of Israel,
C: he calls us his brothers and sisters.
A: Abounding in steadfast love,
C: let us remember all that God has done for us. Amen.
Prayer Of The Day
P: O Holy One of Israel, we give you thanks for the birth of your Son, the sign of your presence who fills the world. Fill our lives with your joy, that we will forever sing praise in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, through all ages of ages.
C: Amen.
Blessing Of College And University Students
Remember on this day to recognize your congregation's students who have returned home on holiday.
P: We give you thanks, loving God, for the gifts of independence and growth, for the gifts of leaving and returning. We give you thanks for the gifts of inquisitive minds and thoughtful actions. We give you thanks for hearts that seek your wisdom. Bless our sons and daughters during their academic journeys that their days of study may be filled with your joy, and the knowledge they acquire may be put to service in your kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
A: Sisters and brothers, let us pray for the lives of the young:
Silence
L: Gracious God, may your birth in our lives empower us to seek your will in new ways. May we hear your voice in the voices of this world's children. May we protect them, advocate for them, nourish them, honor them, and teach them your ways. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Let us pray for the healing of the nations:
Silence
L: O Giver of Peace, you were born defenseless in an occupied territory. Grant us vision to see the world from your eyes, that we might know what it means to trust in another's mercy. Grant that we might act with such faith in all our decision making. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Let us pray for all who are sojourners:
Silence
L: O God of exile and return, we ask you to watch over our loved ones who travel, and we give you thanks for those whom you have brought safely to us in this holy time. We lift before you all who are separated from friends and family through geography, strife, illness, or fear. Teach us to seek out the lonely and to love them as you do. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: Let us pray for harmony in our communities:
Silence
L: O God of all times and of all places, you have made us in your image and called us your own. Fill our hearts with courage, that we may enter this new year as messengers of peace. May we dream new dreams, and meet you in new places. Lord in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
A: And for what else do the people of God pray:
Silence
P: Gather our hearts, so that united in love, we may ever rejoice at your birth in our lives.
C: Amen.
Offertory Prayer
A: Father in heaven,
C: like Joseph, you have dreamed our future. Like Joseph, you have carried us in your arms. Receive these gifts filled with our thanks. Teach us to live in ways that are pleasing to you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our infant Lord. Amen.
Benediction
P: May the Lord lift you up,
and carry you in his arms eternally.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Choral Music
"A Hymn For The Days After Christmas" -- Randall Sensmeier (GIA)
"Carol Of The Stranger" -- Rory Cooney (GIA)
"God's Surprise" -- arr. Walter Pelz (GIA)
"Rise Up, Shepherds, And Follow" -- arr. Robert Leaf (Art Masters Studios)
"The First Noel/Pachelbel's Canon" -- Michael Clawson (Alfred)
Service Notes
This traditionally low Sunday may be the time to have a hymn sing. Use those Christmas hymns that weren't chosen for Christmas Eve (such as "A La Rue/O Sleep, Dear Holy Baby," PH 45 or "The Aye Carol" GATHER 277). Find those that may have appeared in earlier hymnals but have been forgotten in recent times. Rather than having the congregation sing every verse, divide the congregation into high and low voices, left and right sides of the sanctuary, under forty and over forty. Use a different pattern on each hymn. Since the choir may have this Sunday "off," use one or two soloists, if possible. If you did not do this on Christmas Eve, have the congregation sing verses 1, 2, and 4 of a four-verse hymn, and on verse three, have the organist continue playing while the text of that verse is spoken by a leader. This is a day for recorder, flute, and violin obligatos to flow freely. If your musicians are inexperienced, have them simply play the alto or tenor line up an octave on the final verse of a hymn.
Today is also a day to include some time for silent meditation. In our North American culture, the preceding weeks have included a flurry of school, civic, familial, and church activities. Be intentional in your presidential style about giving time for people to slow down, and to receive the grace that is being given. On the eve of a new year, help them to breathe deeply the joy that comes from thankful hearts. Rather than making unreachable resolutions, give them time and instruction to form their petitions for guidance in the months to come. This can be done either at the close of the intercessions or immediately preceding the close of the service. It can be done in (near) total silence or with accompanying organ/keyboard music in the background. Close the time of prayer with the singing of a final verse of a familiar Christmas hymn.
