The First Sunday of Christmas
REFLECTION
It is through weakness and vulnerability that most of us learn empathy and compassion and discover our soul.
— Desmond Tutu,
God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time
Spiritual Formation is the process by which we are shaped by the power of the Holy Spirit into the image of Jesus for the sake of others. But none of the discipleship of my youth ever mentioned that we are made into the image of Jesus for the sake of others. Not for us, but for our neighbors, for our communities, for the sake of doing the work of Jesus here on this earth, in this time, to see the Kingdom of God break through the world just a little bit more tomorrow than it did today.
— Nish Weiseth,
A Rhythm of Prayer
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.
— Henri J.M. Nouwen,
Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life
COLLECT
Hidden God,
who made the face of Moses shine with the gift of your friendship:
teach us the law of love, carried by breath of spirit
and planted in hearts of flesh
that we might be children again and the world restored to you;
through Jesus Christ, the Glory of God. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Isaiah 9:2, NIV
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
Jesus Christ is our life and light. In his name and in his power, let us worship God!
PRAISE
SONGS
Joy to the World
Isacc Watts, 1719 · George Frederick Handel, 1742
The First Noel
Traditional English Carol
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” May the Lord fill you with the love of Christ, and may your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
All: Thanks be to God!
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
When we allow darkness to overcome the light, forgive us, Lord. When we reduce Christmas to plastic and tinsel, have mercy on us, Father. When hardness of heart keeps us from seeing and hearing the need around us, let your grace consume us, O God. When our caring is not extended to action, move us to seek justice for our brothers and sisters, and relief for those who suffer. We confess our sinfulness before you and before each other. Remove all barriers that divide us, and let there be no obstacle to our love for you, and for one another. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
from Luke 2:10, NRSV
Do not be afraid. Listen to the good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. In Christ we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG OF ASSURANCE
Christ is the Life of the World
Sandra McCracken, ©2019
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:41-52, NRSV
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Melisa Blankenship (she/her)
Finding God in the Temple
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of wonder, we offer you these humble gifts, signs of your goodness and mercy. Receive them with our gratitude, that through us all people may know the riches of your love in the Word-made-flesh. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
Traditional French Carol
COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
Karl Digerness, ©2012
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
COMMUNION PRAYER
Eternal God, we thank you that in Christ you give yourself into our hands: may we who have tasted life proclaim the coming feast when many will come from east and west, from north and south to greet the Lord of all; we ask this in the name of Christ. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
SONG
Marvelous Light
Steve Hindalong, ©1997
BENEDICTION
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
MUSICIANS
Rob Reich, accordion
Maria Long, vocals
Minna Choi, vocals