Gathering Around the WORD Call to Worship

1. Homecrest Presbyterian ChurchWorship of the Lord’s Day1st Sunday after ChristmasJanuary 1st, 2017

2. We recount the gracious deeds of God, all the praiseworthy acts the Lord has done for us: Praise God for coming to dwell among us, Immanuel. Praise God for the good news of Jesus, the pioneer of our salvation. Praise God who is present with us still, lifting us up and carrying us. God’s glory shines in heaven and on earth. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. We have come to sing to the LORD a new song. We have come to worship God. Gathering Around the WORDCall to Worship

3. Gathering Hymn# 143 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth;you, who sang creation’s story,now proclaim Messiah’s birth:come and worship, come and worship,worship Christ, the newborn king!

4. Gathering Hymn# 143 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” Shepherds, in the fields abiding,watching o’er your flocks by night,God with us is now residing;yonder shines the infant light:come and worship, come and worship,worship Christ, the newborn king!

5. Gathering Hymn# 143 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” Sages, leave your contemplations;brighter visions beam afar;seek the great desire of nations;you have seen his natal star:come and worship, come and worship,worship Christ, the newborn king!

6. Gathering Hymn# 143 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” All creation, join in praisingGod the Father, Spirit, Son,evermore your voices raisingto the eternal Three in One:come and worship, come and worship,worship Christ, the newborn king!

7. Gathering Around the WORDCall to Confession Our God is a redeeming God who came to save us. God desires us to look beyond our personal gains in confessing our sins against others. Let us humble ourselves and lift up our prayers seeking God’s grace and mercy upon us.

8. Gathering Around the WORDPrayer of Confession(in unison)Merciful God, in great love you have claimed us as your children. We confess that we have not loved you as we should. We have not participated fully in your purposes and plans; we grow weary and give up when the way is hard. We have not loved our brothers and sisters as you intend. Forgive our misuse of power against others and against your creation. Help us to praise you in living in harmony and peace. Do not be ashamed of us we pray, but strengthen us in our time of testing. In the name of our Lord who is born to us, Amen.

9. Gathering Around the WORDDeclaration of Forgiveness God came to us in the midst of turmoil and distress. God heard the cries of the people. God delivered His own son in order to save us. In Christ, we shall have not fears. In Christ, we have been given a new chance in life and in hope. The Old is gone, and the New has come. Thanks be to God, Amen.

10. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. Gathering Around the WORDGloria Patri

11. Gathering Around the WORDPassing of the Peace of Christ Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

12. Proclaiming the WORDMessage to the Youth/Prayer of Illumination

13. 1   Praise the Lord!      Praise the Lord from the heavens;           praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels;           praise him, all his host! 3   Praise him, sun and moon;           praise him, all you shining stars! 4Praise him, you highest heavens,           and you waters above the heavens! Proclaiming the WORDResponsive Reading – Psalm 148

14. 5   Let them praise the name of the Lord,           for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever;           he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7   Praise the Lord from the earth,           you sea monsters and all deeps, 8fire and hail, snow and frost,           stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9  Mountains and all hills,           fruit trees and all cedars! 10Wild animals and all cattle,           creeping things and flying birds! Proclaiming the WORDResponsive Reading – Psalm 148

15. 11  Kings of the earth and all peoples,           princes and all rulers of the earth! 12Young men and women alike,           old and young together! 13  Let them praise the name of the Lord,           for his name alone is exalted;           his glory is above earth and heaven. 14He has raised up a horn for his people,           praise for all his faithful,           for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord! Proclaiming the WORDResponsive Reading – Psalm 148

16. 13Now after they [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Proclaiming the WORDScripture Reading(Matthew 2:13-23)

17. 16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18  “A voice was heard in Ramah,           wailing and loud lamentation,      Rachel weeping for her children;           she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” Proclaiming the WORDScripture Reading(Matthew 2:13-23)

18. 19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead.” 21Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. Proclaiming the WORDScripture Reading(Matthew 2:13-23)

19. 23There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.” Proclaiming the WORDScripture Reading(Matthew 2:13-23)

20. Proclaiming the WORDBad Dream in Disguise (Matthew 2:13-23)

21. Proclaiming the WORDBad Dream in Disguise (Matthew 2:13-23) • #154 Jesus Entered Egypt • 1) Jesus entered Egypt fleeing Herod's hand,living as an alien in a foreign land.Far from home and country with his family,was there room and welcome for this refugee?

22. Proclaiming the WORDBad Dream in Disguise (Matthew 2:13-23) • #154 Jesus Entered Egypt • 2) Jesus was a migrant living as a guestwith the friends and strangers who could offer rest.Do we hold wealth lightly so that we can shareshelter with the homeless, and abundant care?

23. Proclaiming the WORDBad Dream in Disguise (Matthew 2:13-23) • #154 Jesus Entered Egypt • 3) Jesus crosses borders with the wandering poor,searching for a refuge, for an open door.Do our words and actions answer Jesus' plea:"Give the lowly welcome, and you welcome me"

24. Proclaiming the WORDBad Dream in Disguise (Matthew 2:13-23)

25. We three kings of Orient are;bearing gifts we traverse afar,field and fountain, moor and mountain,following yonder star.O star of wonder, star of night,star with royal beauty bright,westward leading, still proceeding,guide us to thy perfect light! Responding Hymn# 151 “We, Three Kings of Orient Are”

26. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,gold I bring to crown him again,King forever, ceasing neverover us all to reign.O star of wonder, star of night,star with royal beauty bright,westward leading, still proceeding,guide us to thy perfect light! Responding Hymn# 151 “We, Three Kings of Orient Are”

27. Glorious now behold him arise,King and God and Sacrifice:Alleluia! Alleluia!sounds through the earth and skies.O star of wonder, star of night,star with royal beauty bright,westward leading, still proceeding,guide us to thy perfect light! Responding Hymn# 151 “We, Three Kings of Orient Are”

28. Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith – Christmas By: Nathan Nettleton, 1999 We believe in God: the creator and giver of life,who brought all creation to birth, who mothers us and fathers us, protecting, nurturing, and cherishing us. We believe in Jesus Christ: God born among us as a fragile baby, embodying both love and the need for love, and calling us to rest in God as trustingly as a tiny child.

29. Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith – Christmas By: Nathan Nettleton, 1999 We believe in the Holy Spirit: breathed into us at our birth, always drawing us on to be born again, encouraging, exhorting, comforting, nourishing our growth and inspiring our living. We believe in the reconciliation of the world to God, through Christ. Hunted at birth and humiliated at death,Christ entered our fearful darkness so that we might enter his glorious light and share the life of his resurrection.

30. Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith – Christmas By: Nathan Nettleton, 1999 And we believe that each new child is a glimpse of the face of God, a sign of the life to come, and a call to live in peace and celebrate living together. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth. Amen.

31. Responding to the WORD Affirmation of Faith

32. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldAnnouncements & Sharing of Joys and Concerns • The afternoon Bible Study Group will not be meeting today or next Sunday. It will resume on 1/8. • The Women's Group meets on every Wednesdays at 7:30pm over at the Manse (2048 E 14th Street). They are currently studying Gospel of Matthew. For more information, please see Margaret and Cara. • The next Session Meetingwill be Tomorrow1/2 at 7pm. All active elders please attend.

33. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldAnnouncements & Sharing of Joys and Concerns • Our Annual Congregational Meetingwill take place on 1/15 immediately after worship service. We will be receiving various reports, reviewing of the proposed budget for 2017, electing officers (elders and deacons) of the church, and voting on the pastor’s terms of call. All members of the church are strongly encouraged to attended. Those who are non-members are invited to join us for the pot-luck luncheon and may observe the proceeding of our meeting. Please bring one dish item to share for the pot-luck meal.

34. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldPrayer of the People & The Lord’s Prayer • Our Father, who art in heaven. • Halloweth be thy name. • Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done • On earth as it is in heaven. • Give us this day our daily bread. • Forgive us our debts; as we forgive our debtors. • Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. • For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.

35. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldOffering of our Gifts and our Lives

36. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldDoxology and Offertory Prayer

37. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;there is no shadow of turning with thee.Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not. As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.Great is thy faithfulness!Great is thy faithfulness!Morning by morning, new mercies I see.All I have needed thy hand hath provided.Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! Communion Hymn# 39 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

38. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,sun, moon, and stars in their courses abovejoin with all nature in manifold witnessto thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.Great is thy faithfulness!Great is thy faithfulness!Morning by morning, new mercies I see.All I have needed thy hand hath provided.Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! Communion Hymn# 39 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

39. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!Great is thy faithfulness!Great is thy faithfulness!Morning by morning, new mercies I see.All I have needed thy hand hath provided.Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! Communion Hymn# 39 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

40. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion We gather here on the beginning of the year as one body, joined around this table of God’s GRACE and LOVE. Jesus said, whenever two or three are gathered in God’s name, He is here among us. United in Christ's spirit, God revealed Godself to us, God’s Word became flesh to us. Christ is the tangible presence of our living Word.

41. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion This is the table of the Heavenly Feast, the joyful celebration of the people of God. Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life, to drink the cup of the new covenant.

42. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion 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.

43. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion With saints and the choir of angels, we join our voices in singing: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

44. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion We give you thanks Holy God, for Jesus, who came to be your living Word, to baptize us with Spirit and fire, to feed the hungry, to humble the mighty, and to announce the good news of your coming realm.

45. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion While gathered with the disciples, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way after supper, he took a cup, saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.

46. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion With thanksgiving and praise, we offer ourselves to you, Sharing this holy meal, remembering Christ’s dying and rising, and praying: Come Lord Jesus! Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

47. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us – this bread, this cup, and your people— Christ’s body and blood, given in love for the world. Make us one in the Spirit, one in the church, and one with our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Those who come to me shall never hunger; those who believe in me shall never thirst."

48. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldHoly Communion

49. Bearing and Following the WORD into the World Prayer after the Communion: (in unison) God of abundance and mercy: We joyfully give you thanks for your love and healing presence in our celebration of bread and wine. Bless these gifts that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ. Through our calling, send us out into the world in order to manifest your grace and love to others. Amen. :

50. Bearing and Following the WORD into the WorldDeacons’ Benevolence Offering