“You’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds, rise up shepherd and follow…”
—-African-American spiritual
Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…
Opening Sentences Luke 2:30-32
Now we have seen the saving love of the Lord,
the glory of God’s people and a light to all.
Prayer for the New Year Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Eternal God,
a thousand years in your sight
are like a watch in the night.
As you have led us in days past,
so guide us now and always,
that our hearts may learn to choose your will,
and new resolves be strengthened;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn of the Day
He Never Failed Me Yet, by the Notre Dame Virtual Choir, 2020. Listen and pray for this new year!
Reading of the Day Isaiah 65:17-19
17 For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, for Denie and her husband Francisco, who is home from the hospital after over a month; for Brandon Jantzen and his family; for David Lewallen’s son-in-law; for Debbie Battisse-Kleinman, pastor of the Indian Presbyterian Church in Livingston, and her family; and for Rev. Scott Harbison, pastor of St. Luke’s Presbyterian; and for Lizzie Downs. Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John. John has been in the hospital for five weeks, has suffered extensive organ damage, and is currently intubated. No one is sure about whether he will recover from this illness. His family is naturally distraught, especially with the limitations on visiting him. Pray, as we close out the year 2020, that we may be able to heal together from the grief that we’ve all experienced, and move forward with less anxiety and greater unity. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.
Benediction
May the love of the Creator
The joy of the Spirit
And the peace of the Christ-child
Be with you this Christmas, and evermore. Amen.
—-African-American spiritual
Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…
Opening Sentences Luke 2:30-32
Now we have seen the saving love of the Lord,
the glory of God’s people and a light to all.
Prayer for the New Year Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Eternal God,
a thousand years in your sight
are like a watch in the night.
As you have led us in days past,
so guide us now and always,
that our hearts may learn to choose your will,
and new resolves be strengthened;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn of the Day
He Never Failed Me Yet, by the Notre Dame Virtual Choir, 2020. Listen and pray for this new year!
Reading of the Day Isaiah 65:17-19
17 For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day, for Denie and her husband Francisco, who is home from the hospital after over a month; for Brandon Jantzen and his family; for David Lewallen’s son-in-law; for Debbie Battisse-Kleinman, pastor of the Indian Presbyterian Church in Livingston, and her family; and for Rev. Scott Harbison, pastor of St. Luke’s Presbyterian; and for Lizzie Downs. Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John. John has been in the hospital for five weeks, has suffered extensive organ damage, and is currently intubated. No one is sure about whether he will recover from this illness. His family is naturally distraught, especially with the limitations on visiting him. Pray, as we close out the year 2020, that we may be able to heal together from the grief that we’ve all experienced, and move forward with less anxiety and greater unity. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.
Benediction
May the love of the Creator
The joy of the Spirit
And the peace of the Christ-child
Be with you this Christmas, and evermore. Amen.
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