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GOD GATHERS US
Preparation for Worship

Father God, as we hear your Word again, and consider the one through whose body you entered this world, remind us of the meaning of humility and grant us a confidence of faith that knows your promises to us are always fulfilled.

Prelude March of the Wise Men arr. Gaul

Welcome and Announcements

Call To Worship
A Star has risen in the east
Star of wonder, star of night!
A child is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing!
Let us follow the star to Bethlehem
and bring our gifts to the newborn Christ.

Opening Prayer

Hymn #28 Good Christian Friends Rejoice

Call to Confession

Prayer Of Confession

God of wonder, God of night,
you are holy light in dark places;
you are holy darkness when all is too bright.
Forgive us, O God, when we turn away from your light;
when we follow our own ambitions instead of your call,
when we respond to your presence with fear, rather than joy.
Forgive us, O God, when we do not comprehend
the depth of your Christmas love,
the meaning of your powerful story,
or the call you place on each of our lives.
Forgive us, O God, and by your forgiveness,
empower us to follow the star once more.

Kyrie (Mark 10:47; Luke 17:13)

Assurance of Pardon (1 Jn. 1:8-9; Jn. 20:19-23; Mt. 16:19, 18:18)

The Peace (Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:1-3)
One: The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
ALL: And also with you.

*Gloria Patri #579

God Speaks to Us

Prayer for Illumination

Old Testament Lesson:  Isaiah 63:7-9
“I will recount the gracious…” (OT pg. 693)
One: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 148

One: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
All: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
One: Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
All: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters
above the heavens!
One: Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded
and they were created.
All: He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
One: Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
All: fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind
fulfilling his command!
One: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
All: Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
One: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and rulers of the earth!
All: Young men and women alike, old and young together!
One: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
All: He 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!

Epistle Lesson: Hebrews 2:10-18
“It was fitting that God…” (NT pg. 219)
One: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
“Now after they had left…” (NT pg. 2)
One: The Gospel of the Lord.

Sermon “He Descended” -Craig Hovey

Invitation To Offering

We Respond

Hymn: #68 What Star is This, with Beams so Bright

Affirmation of Faith  (Apostles’ Creed)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, as we forgive our debtors;
hallowed be thy name, and lead us not into temptation
thy kingdom come, but deliver us from evil.
thy will be done. For thine is the kingdom
on earth as it is in heaven. and the power and the glory,
Give us this day our daily bread; forever. Amen.
forgive us our debts,

God Sends Us

Closing Hymn #67 Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning
Closing Prayer
*Charge
*Benediction (Num. 6:24-26)
*Recessional #592 Doxology
Postlude