ORDER OF WORSHIP December 30th, 2018 1st Sunday after Christmas Day Please sign and pass the Friendship Book ( pew pad ) where you can also record any prayer requests. Our prayer is that you will experience the presence of the Living God as we worship together. We invite you to focus your heart and mind in worship. * indicates please stand as you are able. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Misty Cross PRELUDE Prelude on Gloria Organ Traditional French Carol CALL TO WORSHIP Misty Cross People of God, worship the living God today! Remember that out of nothing God created the heavens and earth. Remember that God raised Jesus from the powerlessness of death to the power of his right hand. Remember that not even the gates of hell can stand against God s purposes. Behold your God who reigns now and forever! Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources *SONGS OF WORSHIP: ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT ALL CHRISTIANS SING (Hymn #168) (VERSE 1) On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring; on Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring: news of great joy, news of great mirth news of our merciful King s birth. (VERSE 2)
Then why should we on earth be so sad, since our Redeemer made us glad? Then why should we on earth be so sad, since our Redeemer made us glad, when from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty? (VERSE 3) When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place; when sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place; heaven and earth with joy may sing, all for to see the newborn King. (VERSE 4) All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night; all out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night: Glory to God and peace to men, now and forevermore. Amen. LO! HOW A ROSE E ER BLOOMING (Hymn #163) (VERSE 1) Lo! How a rose e er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse s lineage coming as saints of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night. (VERSE 2) Isaiah t was foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night. (VERSE 3) This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens every load. Prayer of Confession Camille Troxel Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and turn them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen. [Silent Prayer] Assurance of Pardon Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Glory to God. Amen. Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources SONG OF WORSHIP: I WONDER AS I WANDER (Hymn #165) PLEASE REMAIN SEATED
(VERSE 1) I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor ornery people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander, out under the sky. (VERSE 2) When Mary birthed Jesus, twas in a cow s stall, with wise men and farmers and shepherds and all, but high from God s heaven a star s light did fall, the promise of ages it then did recall. (VERSE 3) If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky or a bird on the wing, or all of God s angels in haven for to sing, he surely could have it, cause he was the King. (VERSE 4) I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor ornery people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander, out under the sky PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Rev. Peter Blank OFFERING OF OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS Camille Troxel Offering Prayer God intends to unite all creation, so that all may share in the promises of God s new reign. Therefore with gratitude and joy, let us render tributes and bring gifts, for we have access to God in boldness and confidence though faith in Christ. Amen. from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2015 *Doxology 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.
You may bring your offering and/or light a candle at the front or back of the sanctuary. The children are excused at this time to attend Junior Chapel. OFFERTORY Blessed Mary, Holy Mother Organ Robert Franz READING OF THE SCRIPTURES Aaron Cross Ephesians 1 (NIV) 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God s holy people in Ephesus, [a] the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he [b] predestined us for adoption to sonship [c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he [d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, [e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit
guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God s possession to the praise of his glory. 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit [f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. MESSAGE An Introduction to Ephesians Aaron Cross SERMON NOTES:
*SONG OF WORSHIP: SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS (Hymn # 159) (VERSE 1) Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here! Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear. Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel! (VERSE 2) Angels called to shepherds, Leave your flocks at rest, journey forth to Bethlehem, find the lambkin blest. Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel! (VERSE 3) In Bethlehem they found him; Joseph and Mary mild, seated by the manger, watching the holy child. Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel! BENEDICTION Aaron Cross POSTLUDE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Organ Traditional German Carol Elder Judy Potter is available for prayer after the service. In the pulpit today: Aaron Cross moved to Spokane in 1989. Like many of us- he was not quite sure what he wanted to do as an adult and has spent time in a variety of careers. He has an Associate of Science Degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute. Worked for many years as a chef, has studied biomedical technology, and civil engineering- which is his current field of employment. He is working towards his professional engineering certification. Aaron has a variety of
interests that include golf, LEGOS, cooking, various board games, and trivia. This fall Aaron married Misty- they now have a blended family that includes Venessa (22), Josh (20) and Bria (12). Today s Lectionary Readings 1 Samuel 2:18 20, 26 Colossians 3:12 17 Psalm 148 Luke 2:41 52 Reflection Consider Jesus as an adolescent, causing his parents to worry about him. Jesus asks his parents, Why were you searching for me? If you were a parent of Jesus, how would you answer that question? How do you answer that question for yourself? Household Prayer: Morning Lord Jesus, as you listened to your teachers, may I also, this day, listen to others with care and grace, and receive whatever wisdom they may offer. Amen. Household Prayer: Evening Loving God, you know every struggle I have faced this day: let me sleep in peace, confident in your great love in Jesus Christ. Amen. The Morning & Evening Household Prayers and Questions for Reflection from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2015