HYMN  [Blue#34] “In Bethlehem, a Babe Was Born” 

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Shepherd of Israel, God of hosts,

we have turned away from you,

neglecting the welfare of your creation,

ignoring the plight of your people,

trampling on the creatures and the plants you have made,

taking from Earth what we cannot give back. 

We have not helped our neighbors in need, 

kept peace within our families,

or tended the vine you have planted in our own lives.

Forgive us and lead us to a more gracious life. 

In your compassion, turn us to your way.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;

let your face shine upon us,

and we shall be saved. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                    

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579]

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

RESPONSE  [Blue#586] “Amen”

1st SCRIPTURE                                        Romans 1:1-7

2nd SCRIPTURE                                      Matthew 1:18-25

ONE: This is the Word of the Lord.

MANY: Thanks be to God

HYMN[BLUE#53] “What Child Is This?”

SERMON      “Our Wildest Imaginings”   Rev. Martha J. Robson

 THE WORD MADE FLESH   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  The Nicene Creed (Ecumenical)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;  he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, 

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who with the Father and the Son  is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, 

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (Mendelssohn) Duet with Cindy Freudenthal on organ and Randy Martono-Chai on piano

DOXOLOGY[BLUE#592]

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving – Blue Presbyterian Hymnal p. 13

The Lord’s Prayer – Blue Presbyterian Hymnal p.16

RESPONSE “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”

Breaking the Bread and Sharing the Cup

Sharing the Body and Blood of Christ

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION: “We Come As Guests Invited” (Steurlein) with Sandy Cranfill on vocals and Randy Martono-Chai on piano.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

HYMN [Blue#300]“Down to Earth, As a Dove”

PARTING PRAYER

Eternal God of power and grace, 

who comes to us in surprising ways— 

in angel appearances, in defeat of enemies, 

and in resurrection from the dead— 

show us the face of Immanuel in our time.

Bring us from fear to awe, we pray;

in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#50] “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow” refrain only

POSTLUDE        “Children, Go Where I Will Send Thee”   (Traditional African-American Carol)         

Liturgical Materials from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Vol. 1. Copyright 2013, Westminster John Knox Press.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, ©2004, Faithful Alive Christian Resources.