“Wonders of His Love: Compassionate Joy”
You are welcome here
January 2, 2022– 10:00 A.M.
Compassionate Joy
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the
assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friend
s into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” -Charles Dickens
Gathering Music: Mary Did You Know (by Mark Lowry/Buddy Greene) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
L: How magnificent is all creation.
P: God’s love is poured throughout all living things.
L: God’s love is poured out upon us each day.
P: We give thanks to our God.
L: Let your souls and spirits rejoice at the goodness of God.
P: Let all the people sing of God’s love. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing *See Lyric Insert
Invocation:
Holy Living One, You who are our Joy, Give us the strength
we need to face the sorrows of the world and meet them with
as much compassion as we can. We give you thanks for the
time we have had to contemplate what joy means in our lives
and prepare ourselves for the work we will commit to
in this next year, offering love and hope in all we do.
Let wonders of your love rule our hearts this day.
Let wonders of your love rule our church this day.
Let wonders of your love rule the world this day…
in the name of Compassion. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: All Is Well (by Michael W, Smith/Wayne Kirkpatrick) -Michelle Currie
Message for the children and the child in each of us:
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9, Matthew 2:13- 23 Rev. Lamar Robinson
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Anthem: We’re Gonna Bring Joy to the World (by Marsha Jean Moors-Charles)
-Michelle Currie
Meditation: Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sermon Response: Meditative Instrumental ~ Meditation on Christmas Hymns (arr. by Chuck Bell) – Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Closing Hymn: Joy to the World *See Lyric Insert
Benediction:
My friends, may you be blessed with a Compassionate Joy
that compels you outward from this place to serve.
May you know the wonders of Christ’s love—
and tune your heart for looking at the world, for being in the
world, and bringing compassion to the world.
And may you forever sing along with all heaven and earth!
Postlude: Go In Peace…
Hark the Herald Angels Sing * Lyrics
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king!
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the the sun of righteous-ness
Light and life to all he brings, risen from healing in the wings
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth
Ark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king!
Joy to the World *Lyrics
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
Joy to the earth the savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteous-ness
And wonders of his love, and wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
Many thanks to Michelle Currie, our wonderful Music Director, who brings joy to our worship each week through the gift of her music.
Great thanks to all who helped with our Christmas Eve Service.
Happy New Year to all!