Call to Worship
(The United Church of Christ Statement of Faith - adapted by Robert V. Moss)
Leader: We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify…
People: God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.
Leader: God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
People: In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
Leader: God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
People: God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family…
Leader: To proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
People: God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace…
Leader: The presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
All: Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.
Offertory
Today we declare that our generosity serves as an essential element of the baptized life. We affirm that our giving is a public expression of our belonging to the “kindom” of God. In celebration of those principles, we are grateful to the Giver of Gifts and we are humbled to participate as co-givers of our work of ministry. We freely dedicate our tithes, offerings, and gifts to the One who loved us in Christ Jesus. Let it be so!
Service January 8th
Scripture Lesson
Matthew 2: 9-11
(The Message Version of the Bible)
9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.