Order of Worship
Opening Announcements — Kelly Frankiewicz, M.Div
Good Morning and Welcome to Worship!
Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact
with this growing community of faith. And so if you are joining us for
the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday. You are
welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is
the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, in every generation.
Praise God, all creatures here below, the blessed incarnation.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Let all creation praise the Lord with love and adoration.
As children of God and heirs of the promise, let us pray to the Lord,
saying,
Loving God, hear our prayer.
For the holy church of God, that all who have been baptized into
Christ may shine like the dawn, bear witness to the Good News of Jesus, and light the way of salvation in Jesus ’name, let us pray to
the Lord:
Loving God, hear our prayer.
For the nations of the earth, that governments and those in authority
may protect the vulnerable, shelter the oppressed, and pursue the
way of peace, let us pray to the Lord:
Loving God, hear our prayer.
For our city and for all places of human interaction and livelihood, that
kindness may abound, compassion prevail, and harmony endure, let
us pray to the Lord:
Loving God, hear our prayer.
For the planet earth, our home, that we may honor her gifts, respect
her limitations, and protect her resources, let us pray to the Lord:
Loving God, hear our prayer.
For those troubled with illness, hardship, or conflict, that they may
receive healing for their bodies, release from their burdens, and
mending of their brokenness, let us pray to the Lord:
Loving God, hear our prayer.
Hear us, O God, for our eyes have seen your salvation. Let your light
shine through us and fill the world with the radiance of your love
revealed in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit
reigns in glory. Amen.
As you led Simeon to embrace the infant Jesus, guide us, Holy Spirit, by your gracious light that we may welcome your saving Word. Amen.
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 10| will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. 1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2 The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Galatians 4:4-7 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. Luke 2:22-40 22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Questions for Reflection: Kelly Frankiewicz, M.Div
Isaiah rejoiced in the LORD because he felt clothed in righteousness
and salvation.
Mary, surprised by divine selection for pregnancy, praised the LORD
for anticipated blessings.
Simeon and Anna rejoiced in God's fulfillment of a bucket list item.
When has an unexpected change in your life turned out for the good?
How can you express your gratitude to the LORD?
What song of celebration comes to your mind when you think of
Jesus’ birth or ministry?
John Fluker, pianist
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING -— Taylor White
As the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is
sown in it to spring up, so will God cause righteousness and praise to
spring up before all the nations. With thankful hearts, let us offer
ourselves and our gifts to God.
Come”
Go forth into the world rejoicing. Spread the good news of Christ our light and our redeemer. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.