December 26 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Welcome home!

Christopher readies for worship

Rebecca serves as today's liturgist

Claudia offers the traditional year-end message

Second Day of Christmas

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”                         —2 Corinthians 9:15

Welcome...Claudia Mills

Prelude...Christopher Wahl

*Call to Worship (from Isaiah 9)...Rebecca Glancy

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. We have walked in darkness! Now we see a great light! Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. We have dwelt in deep darkness! Now on us has light shined! For to us a child is born! To us a son is given! And his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”!

*Hymn...“Joy to the World” (UMH #246)

Unison Prayer...Rebecca Glancy

Heavenly Father, it is Christmas at last! Once again, we celebrate the birth of your son, who came to live among us, to share human joys and sorrows, and to teach us how to love one another in your name. As the year draws to a close, a year filled with our own joys and sorrows, let us go forward to greet the new year with faith, with hope, and above all, with love. Help us to remember that your light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not, cannot, and shall never overcome it. Amen.

*Offering/Doxology (to the tune “O Tannenbaum”)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, in every generation. Praise God, all creatures here below, who gives to us salvation. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let all creation praise the Lord with love and adoration.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Morning Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Claudia Mills

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.

First Lesson: Matthew 16: 13-18...Rebecca Glancy

Congregational hymn sing

Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-13...Rebecca Glancy

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon...Claudia Mills / “But who do you say that I am?”

*Hymn...“Many Gifts, One Spirit” (UMH #114)

*Words for the Journey...Claudia Mills

*Postlude...Christopher Wahl