MCCC Sanctuary Worship Order 2022
December 31, 2023
Theme: Rituals of Faith
Prelude “Come, Thou Almighty King” [by F. de Giardini] - Sarah Park
“THIS IS THE DAY!” #286
Welcome - Steve Hurd
We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms, building community in a fragmented world.
We want to welcome everyone who is in the house today, everyone online, and everyone downstairs watching our live telecast. We are grateful for all the many ways you can join us for worship on this Lord’s Day.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Opening Scripture - Luke 2:22-35 - Steve Hurd
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
*Response - Weave
Weave, weave, weave us together, Weave us together, in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together, weave us together, together in love.
*Call to Worship - Rev. Nancy Humes
One: Every year we celebrate Christmas.
All: Every month we break bread.
One: Every week we gather for worship.
All: Every day we count our blessings.
One: Every minute God is near.
All: Yes, every minute God is near.
One: These are the rituals of our faith.
All: Let us worship Holy God.
*Opening Hymn - “We Three Kings” #172, vs. 1-3
1 We three kings of Orient are,
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain
following yonder star.
[Refrain]
O Star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign. [Refrain]
3 Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising;
worshiping God on high. [Refrain]
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation Rev. Nancy Humes
Offertory
Music: “Under His Wings I am Safely Abiding” [by I. D. Sankey] - Sarah Park
*The Doxology - “Give Thanks” #528
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given
Jesus Christ his Son. Give Thanks!
Offering Prayer - Rev. Nancy Humes
Children’s Moment - Brian Hurd
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s - Prayer Brian Hurd
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow - Eight days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple. They brought him into the heart of community. They brought him into your sanctuary.
I imagine they were exhausted and bleary-eyed, those new parents.
But I also imagine they were excited and overwhelmed with gratitude.
So today, just as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple, we bring our prayers into this sanctuary.
We bring exhausted prayers, bleary-eyed laments, prayers of deep joy, and prayers overflowing with gratitude—and we give them all to you.
Thank you, God, for the joys of this season.
Thank you for the candle lighting and the carol singing.
Thank you for the bells ringing and the community gathering.
Thank you for turning ordinary moments into holy reminders of your gospel promise.
We are surrounded by so many gifts and we do not want to miss the opportunity to express gratitude.
However, despite the abundant gifts of this season, we also acknowledge the heartache of this season, and we bring those prayers to you as well.
So Holy God,
For individuals who long to be parents like Mary and Joseph but find themselves facing infertility or loss—be with them.
For those who feel like they are going through the motions of faith but still feel far from you—be with them.
For those who see the joy of this season, but cannot ignore the weariness in their hearts—be with them.
God, we could go on and on with our prayers of both gratitude and lament. The world is joyful and weary, and on either side of that coin, we long to tether ourselves to you.
So meet us once again in the ordinary rituals of our faith—rituals like praying, singing, studying scripture, and gathering with community. Meet us at the Table and the Font.
Meet us in the pews and in the Sunday school classrooms.
Meet us when we pray before meals and when we pray before bed. Holy God, we don’t care where you find us, we just ask that you would—over and over and over again.
And as you do, we promise that like Mary and Joseph we will do our best to bring our weary and hopeful spirits back to your temple, back to you. And in those comings and goings, we will continue to pray using the words you taught us, saying:
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Holy Communion
Meditation - Sandi Kossick
*Communion Hymn #414 (x3)
“Eat This Bread”
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in me and you will not thirst.
Prayer - Roger Cram
Words of Institution - Roger Cram
Music: “My Jesus, I Love Thee” [by A. J. Gordon] - Sarah Park
Scripture Matthew 11: 28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Message: “Rituals of Faith” - Steve Hurd & Brian Hurd
*Closing Hymn - “What Child is This” #162, vs. 1-3
1 What Child is this who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
[Refrain]
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring Him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary.
2 Why lies He in such mean estate,
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here,
the silent Word is pleading. [Refrain]
3 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
come peasant, king to own Him;
the King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone Him. [Refrain]
Benediction - Steve Hurd
Living and Loving God of all Creation
When the song of the angel is stilled
When the star in the sky is gone
When the kings and princes are home
When the shepherds are back with their flocks
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost
To heal the broken
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner
To rebuild the nations
To bring peace among the people
To make music in the heart - AMEN
Postlude “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” - Sarah Park