Bells
Opening Prayer 1
Light of Christ, awaken us this hour to the glory of your presence in our midst. Shine among us in such a way that the darkness without and within may be pushed back, such that we might truly see what is really real. Help us to recognize our sin for what it is. Enable us to behold the world as you created it to be, as you created us to be. Empower us to move from darkness to light, from sin to new life. May your light within us shine through into worship this day, as all days. This we pray in the name of the Word made flesh, the light which is the light of all people. Jesus Christ. Amen.
Welcome
Introit I Wonder as I Wander John Jacob Niles, Arr. Geo & Jess
Call To Worship 2
ONE: People of God, arise, shine, for your light has come! The light of Christ has come into the world. Immanuel. God with us.
ALL: So arise, shine, for your light has come! And we will follow the light–when it shines brightly in the night sky when it glows dimly on the horizon.
ONE: We will follow the light–when it leads down familiar paths to expected destinations when the road is unfamiliar and the star rests above a dubious-looking home. We will lift up our eyes and look around. And when we see the Christ child, may our hearts be overwhelmed with joy.
ALL: When we are in the presence of Immanuel, may our knees bend in worship. When our journey brings us, finally, to the heart of God, May our hands open in generous sharing; May our mouths open in generous praise. Let us worship together.
Hymn 135 There's a Star in the East
Prayer of Confession 3
God, you share with us words of hope, words of Good News. But sometimes we are unable to hear them. You call us to share the Good News with those around us. But sometimes we are unable to share. You encourage us to be messengers to others. But we don't know what to say. In the multitude of ways we can and have subverted your message of freedom and healing, in all the ways we have unknowingly been barriers to your hope for the world, forgive us. We have left the path of true wisdom and call upon your Grace to lead us back on track. Help us to remember that you are the God of new things and have called us to shine your light where it is needed. In this season of light, show us the star to follow and lead us in your ways. Amen.
Response Hymn 183
Come to me, O weary traveler; come to me with your distress;
Come to me, you heavy burdened; come to me and find your rest.
Assurance of Pardon 3
ONE: This is the time of God's favor, God's grace continues to proclaim release to the captives, sight to the blind, Good News to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. May this be so for all creation.
All: We live as loved, forgiven and free people through the grace of God! Hallelujah! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.
RESPONSE: And also with you.
Response Hymn 583
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord,
And all people will see the salvation of our God
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
ONE: This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.
Anthem We Three Kings John Henry Hopkins, Arr. Geo & Jess
Sermon Rev. Debra McGuire
Hymn 113 Angels We Have Heard on High
Invitation to the Offering
Gracious and generous God, we give of ourselves for the same reasons that you offer yourself: to touch lives, care for the poor, lift up the broken-hearted, and bring comfort to those in need. May our giving be an extension of our gratefulness for the gifts you have given us. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.
Offertory Aspenglow John Denver, Arr. Geo & Jess
Prayer of Dedication
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. Amen.
Prayers of the People
ONE: Lord in your Mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayers.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 733 We All Are One in Mission
Pastoral Blessing
Community Charge
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Postlude Les Patineurs Émile Waldteufel, Arr. Geo & Jess
1 Peter Haynes Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
2 Joanna Harader Spacious Faith
3 Rev Gord Worship Offerings (modified)
January 12, 2025
Reverend Debra McGuire
Music Director - Jessica Reddell-Popovich
Liturgist - Craig Bray
Bells
Opening Prayer 1
God of Righteousness, grant us your life-giving presence. Guide us in our time of worship, and remain with us as we step out into the world, that we may face injustice with courage and love. May we come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience. The timing may feel off; the end of the road might be out of sight, yet we trust in your holy presence. How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, because you still reap what you sow. How long? Not long. Because the arm of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. How long? Not long, because you are our God, and all may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Amen.
Welcome
Introit Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas Dorsey, Arr. Brent Edstrom
Call To Worship 2
ONE: God of the prophets, call to us today
ALL: Call us into Your ways of love, justice and righteousness.
ONE: God of the poets, remind us again how much You love us
ALL: Sing to us Your ways of love, justice and righteousness.
ONE: God of the disciples, teach us how to follow You
ALL: Teach us Your ways of love, justice and righteousness.
ONE: God of all creation, help us to know Your ways
ALL: We gather to hear Your call, to sing Your praise, to teach each other, to pray and worship as the Body of Christ. Let us worship God!
Hymn 756 O God of Every Nation
Prayer of Confession 3
God of justice, we confess that in the pursuit of our own dreams and desires, we have not always been civil, not always humane, not always right. Guided by your Spirit, what we would like to do is change the world – make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as you intended them to do. Help us to be your witnesses, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute – the rights of everyone, so that we can, with your help, change the world. Enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, and to love our enemy as our friend. Amen.
Response Hymn 183
Come to me, O weary traveler; come to me with your distress;
Come to me, you heavy burdened; come to me and find your rest.
Assurance of Pardon 4
ONE: This is the time of God's favor, God's grace continues to proclaim release to the captives, sight to the blind, Good News to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. May this be so for all creation.
ALL: We live as loved, forgiven and free people through the grace of God! Hallelujah! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.
RESPONSE: And also with you.
Response Hymn 583
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Scripture: Psalm 36:5-10, John 2:1-11
ONE: This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.
Anthem Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly Pat Barrett, Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin
Sermon Rev. Debra McGuire
Hymn 757 Today We All Are Called to be Disciples
Invitation to the Offering 5
The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial. As we offer our gifts and lives in this moment, may we become imitators of God, who holds nothing back from us, but is generous and gracious with us.
Offertory Abraham, Martin, and John Dick Holler
Prayer of Dedication
Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude, we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.
Prayers of the People
ONE: Lord in your Mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayers.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 766 The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound
Pastoral Blessing
Community Charge
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Postlude Go Down, Moses Trad. Spiritual, Arr. Thomas Keesucker
1 Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, adapted from “Our God is Marching On!”
(speech delivered at the Alabama State House by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, March 25, 1965)
2 Rev. Mindi, Rev-o-lution blog
3 Eric Thomas for More Light Presbyterians inspired by a quote from Dorothy Day
4 Rev Gord Worship Offerings (modified)
5 Thom Schuman Lectionary Liturgies
January 19, 2025
Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reverend Debra McGuire
Music Director - Jessica Reddell-Popovich
Liturgist - Tamra Hollenbeck
Bells
Opening Prayer 1
Eternal God, whose signature we see, if we dare to look, in the creation of the universe, help us this hour to look and to listen for your handwriting and your voice in this place, among these people. Connect our temporary praise to your timeless rhythms, your ageless melodies, your everlasting joyful noise. Guide us now to focus upon you, knowing that in you, our distractions become new possibilities for action. Breathe life into our singing, our praying, our speaking, our listening, our touching, that all these activities might become more than they are. In our worship we reach out to you, O God, knowing that you have already enfolded us in your arms. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Welcome
Introit Arms of Love Craig Musseau
Call To Worship 2
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us! God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Let us worship the God of justice and peace!
Hymn 407 Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers
Prayer of Confession 3
God of justice, we confess that in the pursuit of our own dreams and desires, we have not always been civil, not always humane, not always right. Guided by your Spirit, what we would like to do is change the world – make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as you intended them to do. Help us to be your witnesses, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute – the rights of everyone, so that we can, with your help, change the world. Enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, and to love our enemy as our friend. Amen.
Response Hymn 183
Come to me, O weary traveler; come to me with your distress;
Come to me, you heavy burdened; come to me and find your rest.
Assurance of Pardon 4
ONE: This is the time of God's favor, God's grace continues to proclaim release to the captives, sight to the blind, Good News to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. May this be so for all creation.
ALL: We live as loved, forgiven and free people through the grace of God! Hallelujah! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.
RESPONSE: And also with you.
Response Hymn 583
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Scripture: Nehemiah 8, Luke 4:14-21
ONE: This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.
Anthem Amazing Grace Arr. Joel Raney
Sermon Rev. Debra McGuire
Hymn 451 Open My Eyes, That I May See
Invitation to the Offering 5
On our own what we have to give doesn't amount to much in the light of all you have given to us and in the face of so much need. Put together as a congregation, what we offer you here in love becomes more, not simply added together, but somehow multiplied in its usefulness.
Offertory Give Thanks Henry Smith
Prayer of Dedication 6
May the offerings brought this day be used as seeds, planted faithfully and nurtured lovingly so that God's way may be realized anew in this world. Grant us the humility we need to plant and then tend your precious garden. In faith and gratitude, we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.
Prayers of the People
ONE: Lord in your Mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayers.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 748 Go With Us, Lord
Pastoral Blessing
Community Charge
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Postlude Come Alive Craig Bray
2 Waiting for Water: Liturgy for The Easter Journey 2013
3 Eric Thomas, inspired by Dorothy Day for More Light Presbyterians
4 Rev Gord Worship Offerings (modified)
January 26, 2025
Reverend Debra McGuire
Music Director - Jessica Reddell-Popovich
Liturgist - Craig Bray
February 2, 2025
A Celebration of Holy Communion
Reverend Debra McGuire
Music Director - Jessica Reddell-Popovich
Liturgist - Craig Bray
Bells
Opening Prayer 1
O God, give us a vision of our world as your love would make it: a world where the weak are protected and none go hungry or poor; a world where the benefits of civilized life are shared, and everyone can enjoy them; a world where different races, nations and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect; a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love; and give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome
Introit Here I am, Lord Dan Schutte
Call To Worship 2
We have come to worship God, the living God, who calls prophets and teachers to bear witness. We have come to praise God, the almighty God, who answers the forces of hatred a hurt with the power of grace. We have come to worship God, all-gracious God, who chooses even you and me, to receive and carry the Word of life and hope. All glory to God! Let us worship together.
Hymn 463 How Firm A Foundation
Prayer of Confession 3
God of justice, we confess that in the pursuit of our own dreams and desires, we have not always been civil, not always humane, not always right. Guided by your Spirit, what we would like to do is change the world – make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as you intended them to do. Help us to be your witnesses, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute – the rights of everyone, so that we can, with your help, change the world. Enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, and to love our enemy as our friend. Amen.
Response Hymn 183
Come to me, O weary traveler; come to me with your distress;
Come to me, you heavy burdened; come to me and find your rest.
Assurance of Pardon 4
ONE: This is the time of God's favor, God's grace continues to proclaim release to the captives, sight to the blind, Good News to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. May this be so for all creation.
ALL: We live as loved, forgiven and free people through the grace of God! Hallelujah! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.
RESPONSE: And also with you.
Response Hymn 583
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Luke 4:21-30
ONE: This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.
Anthem Build Your Kingdom Here Rend Collective Experiment
Sermon Rev. Debra McGuire
Hymn 761 Called As Partners In Christ's Service
Invitation to the Offering 5
God is the giver of all good things, the one who fashioned each of us with unique gifts that together make the Body of Christ whole. In gratitude for all we have received, we offer our lives back to God - we share our time, our skills, our money and in so doing, we say “yes” to God's invitation to join in the kingdom building work here on earth. Let us receive this morning's offerings.
Offertory Give Thanks Henry Smith
Prayer of Dedication 5
O God who gathers more, and still more, people to your table - a table that is not contained by our one church, but extends across varied worship spaces, across diverse cultures and communities - bless the gifts that each of us brings today. May they strengthen bodies and nourish spirits, and be used for your glory. Amen.
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Preparation of the Table
Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving 6
Welcome to the delight that is this table. Our Lord's table. Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity. We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood. Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.
This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him. Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected. Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.
So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other.
ONE: The Lord be with you
ALL: And also with you
ONE: Lift up your hearts
ALL: We lift them up to the Lord
ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:
ALL: Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.
ONE: Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us.
Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Words of Institution
Sharing of the Cup and Bread
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath, nourished by your food, renewed by your living water, and sustained by your love.
Prayers of the People
ONE: Lord in your Mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayers.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 691 Lord, When I Came Into This Life
Community Charge
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Postlude
1 Geoffrey Brown and John Pridmore, St Martin-in-the-Fields' Prayer for the World
2 adapted, United Church of Christ's Worship Ways Archive
3 Eric Thomas, inspired by Dorothy Day for More Light Presbyterians
4 Rev Gord Worship Offerings (modified)
5 Invitation to the Offering and Several Prayers
6 Rev. Bob Gibson, London Conference of the United Church of Canada