Sunday, December 18, 2022 - Practicing Celebration When it's Complicated
Do you ever feel like the closer we get to Christmas the more complicated life gets?
Welcome
*Hymn 132 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (In Person Only)
(verse 2)
*Lighting the Advent Candles: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love (In Person Only)
*Hymn 110 Love Has Come (In Person Only)
(verse 1)
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
*Passing the Peace (responsive)
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Hearing the Word
Prayer for God’s Guidance (responsive)
Hymn 147 The First Nowell (In Person Only)
(verse 3)
Matthew 2:1-3 Common English Bible Translation
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. (Question: What kinds of situations are unsettling to you?)
Hymn 151 We Three Kings of Orient Are (In Person Only)
(verse 1)
Matthew 2:4-6
He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel. (Question: What do you tie your worth to in life?)
Matthew 2:7-9
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. (Question: How do you handle those who are not upfront with you?)
Hymn 151 We Three Kings of Orient Are (In Person Only)
(verse 2)
Matthew 2:10-12
When they saw the stary, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. (Question: What gifts have filled you with joy?)
Hymn 152 What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright (In Person Only)
(verse 1)
Matthew 2:13-15
When the magi had departed, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon search for the child in order to kill him.” Joseph got up and, during the night, took the child and his mother to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod died. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I have called my son out of Egypt. (Question: What are you willing to do to practice celebration?)
Anthem (In Person Only)
Responding to the Word
Our (LPPC) Story (responsive)
We show up for each other:
By being real about life’s struggles & joys,
Even when we disagree,
In our imperfections,
Through grace, acceptance, affirmation & encouragement.
Hymn 145 What Child Is This (In Person Only)
(verse 3)
Receiving New Members
Invitation to the Offering (In Person Only)
How will you offer your life to God this week?
Offering Our Lives, Resources, Time to God
Offertory
*Doxology 606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Gratitude (responsive)
*Closing Hymn 105 People, Look East (In Person Only)
(verses 1, 4, 5)
*Benediction
Hymn List
105 People, Look East
110 Love Has Come
132 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
145 What Child Is This
147 The First Nowell
151 We Three Kings of Orient Are
152 What Star Is This, with Beams so Bright
Upcoming Sundays
Dec 25th – Lessons and Carols (In Person Only) – Meditation (Only Online)
January 1st – Online Only – Changing a Life – Living Anew
Sermon Series Starting January 8th
Experiencing God – How do you experience God?