Lectionary: Isaiah 61:10--62:3; Psalm 148 (UMH 861); Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40.

CALLS TO WORSHIP

Call to Worship #1

L: Praise be to God who has given God’s light to us.
P: Honor and praise to God for God’s most precious gift.
L: The darkness that enveloped the people,
P: Has been pierced by the Light.
L: Let us rejoice in God’s blessed goodness!
P: Let us continually praise God with great joy and thanksgiving. AMEN.

Call to Worship #2

L: Let everything praise God!
P: All the mountains and hills, the valleys and plains shall resound with praises to God.
L: Let everything that has breath praise God! P: All creatures on earth, in the skies, in the seas shall sing praise to God! L: Let us, here and now, praise God!
P: We praise God with our whole heart and soul and strength! AMEN.

Call to Worship #3

[Using THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2018, “Honor and Praise,” offer the following call to worship as directed.]

L: From the stillness of the blessed night of Jesus’ birth
P: We come before You, O God, in praise and thanksgiving.
L: From the astounding news sung to the shepherds
P: We thank You for the gift of Your Son.
Choir: singing verse 1 of “Honor and Praise”
L: Let our hearts keep the joy and peace of Christmas always.
P: Let our spirits rejoice in God’s presence with us.
L: Fill us with Your love, O God.
P: Pour your peace upon us that we may be bearers of Your Good News.
Choir: singing verse 1 of “Honor and Praise”
ALL: AMEN!

Call to Worship #4

L: The Christmas tree lights have dimmed.
P: The once-wrapped gifts have been shared.
L: But the awesome love of God still shines brightly in our hearts.
P: Our spirits resound with the good news of salvation.
L: God is with us!
P: Thanks be to God! AMEN.

PRAYERS, READING, BENEDICTION

Opening Prayer

Lord of mercy and joy, You have given to us the blessing of your Son Jesus who will make known your presence, forgiveness, and love to each one of us. Be with us this day and keep our hearts and minds open to receive your love and peace. Enable each of us to be people of joy and hope as we encounter others. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Prayer of Confession

We confess, O God, that we are not ready to come down from the Christmas “high.” So much time was spent in gathering, wrapping, and delivering gifts; in preparing for family gatherings and times with friends; in decorating our homes. But somehow, right after Christmas Day, we feel a letdown. We don’t want that “high” to be over. We want to feel the “peace on earth” feeling, but we let it go. We push it aside when we begin our journey of complaining and blaming others for everything that is going wrong. We ignore the blessing of the gift when we refuse to help those in need. Shake us up, Lord! Get us ready to be people of compassion and hope. Wake us up, Lord! Help us see the beauty and possibilities of peace around us. Fill us up, Lord! Fill us to overflowing with joy. Let our words, our thoughts, and our actions speak of your love for us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Words of Assurance

Behold! God has given God’s Son that we might have life--new, vital, sparkling. Feel the wondrous power and love of God in your heart this day and know that God is with you always. AMEN.

Pastoral Prayer

God of mystery and love, help us move from the sweet experience of the birth of the Christ Child into the reality of the powerful witness of Jesus who will be Messiah for us all. Remind us again that this season is not about bows and boxes, feasts and family; it is about preparing us, your people, for a mission and ministry of hope and peace for this aching and angry world. Empower us to be people of great faith, placing our trust in you, believing that peace is not only possible, it truly can happen if we will work with you and with one another. As we have spoken in our hearts and with our voices, our concerns for those near and dear to us, remind us that you hear these prayers and you respond with love to each one. Let us be in prayer with one another, for one another, for our church and our community, for our nation and our world, for all earth’s people and creatures, that we may be those who promote peace. Give us courage and strength. Help us reach across areas that divide, offering compassionate assistance wherever it is needed. Bless each one of us in your service, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Reading

Reader 1: Singing “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy” (THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2098, verse 1)

Reader 2: Are you still singing Christmas songs? Christmas was over three days ago.

Reader 1: Not for me, it isn’t!

Reader 2: What do you mean? Are you going to keep buying presents and decorating and all that stuff?

Reader 1: No. I’m just feeling different about things this year.

Reader 2: Oh, you are still on the Christmas “high,” huh/

Reader 1: In a way, I guess you could say that. I think it is more like, I’ve seen a new light.

Reader 2: Yeah? What’s that?

Reader 1: Well, I’ve always thought of Christmas as the final day in a long and sometimes confusing season. You know, Advent and all the getting ready time. That’s how I used my time--impatiently getting ready for THE BIG DAY. But now it’s different for me. I really listened to the scripture the preacher used today, you know the one about the old man, Simeon, and the old lady prophet, Anna, in the temple. Simeon was awestruck by the presence of the child, and he knew that this was not the end but the beginning of something that would completely transform the world.

Reader 2: Oh, no! Don’t tell me you’re going to go out and transform the world!

Reader 1:
I don’t know about that, but I do know that something new is happening in my life. We can be happy about the Baby Jesus, but the real focus is on the man, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ. He’s the one who teaches us how to live in relationship with God and with one another. He’s the one who models what it means to truly be God’s people. I feel that so strongly in my heart, that Christmas Day was just the beginning of a great transforming journey for me.

Reader 2: You’re not going all “holy” on me, are you?

Reader 1: No. I just feel such a sense of peace and hope, great joy. I know that all things are possible with God.

Reader 2: So Christmas Spirit continues within you, right?

Reader 1: Yes.

Reader 2: So, it’s not back to the old grind, business as usual, dog-eat-dog world for you?

Reader 1: I’ll be back at work and attending to all the responsibilities I have, but the difference for me is my outlook, my hope, my joy and peace.

Reader 2: I wish I could feel like that.

Reader 1: You can. Let go of your fear. Keep yourself open to God. You’ll find a kind of peace and purpose that you hadn’t felt before. Give it a try.

Benediction

We have been given the Great Light, which has come into the world. This light of peace and hope, joy and love, shines on us, in us, and through us, to all whom we meet. Go now in peace, and let the light of God’s great love go with you. AMEN.

ARTISTIC ELEMENTS

The traditional color for this Sunday is: White or Gold

Make sure that the rays of the “sun” flood across the worship center and even under the risers on which the candles and doves will be placed.

SURFACE: Place four risers on the worship center (2 4” risers; 2 6” risers). They should be placed in a staggered setting. Place a riser in front of the worship center

FABRIC: Cover the worship center, including all the risers in white fabric. As with Christmas Eve, for this Sunday, the sun should be fully above the mountains. Extend the rays to reflect the growing sun.

CANDLES: On each of the risers, place a dove and a small grouping, 3-5, of white votive candles.

FLOWERS/PLANTS: If there are still poinsettias left from Christmas Eve, place only two of them on the worship center, and let the rest of them be in front of the worship center.

ROCKS/WOOD: Not necessary for this setting.

OTHER: Place the white doves on each of the risers.