Greeting – Greet each other in the name of the Lord. Good Morning! Buenes Dias. Welcome. Bienvenidos.
Let us know of your presence if you are joining us on-line. Prayer requests may be emailed to cokesburyumc@gmail.com
Call to Worship:
L: Christ is born; give him glory!
All: Christ has come down from heaven; receive him!
L: All people on earth, sing to the Lord!
All: Let our hearts be filled with rejoicing, for eternal salvation has appeared on the earth!
Carol – Joy to the World (v.3,4) – UMH 246:
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
Opening Prayer:
Almighty God, by the birth of your holy child Jesus you gave us a great light to dawn on our darkness. Grant that in his light we may see light. Bestow upon us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all people, so that the likeness of your Son may be formed in us, and that we may have the ever-brightening hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (UMC Book of Worship)
First Scripture Reading – Isaiah 9:2,6-7:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
Carol – Angels We Have Heard on High – UMH 238 (v. 2, 4):
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Second Scripture Reading – Luke 2:15-20:
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Carol – The First Noel (v.1,2) – UMH 245:
The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
Message: “Unopened Gifts” – Bob Kucharuk
Prayer of the People
Holy God, heaven and earth are met this day in the newborn Child, Savior of the world. We celebrate his birth; for in him you come close to us, that we might be close to you. Especially, we give thanks for the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and all he means to us. We give thanks for prospects of peace in the world, for confidence in your almighty love, for those who generously give, for those who graciously receive; for the Church’s nurturing us in faith. God of all mercy, as you have come in Jesus Christ to be our guest, inspire our hearts to a hospitality that welcomes all your children in his name. Especially we pray for those who have not heard your good news; for the sick and suffering; for those who know no laughter, only tears; for those who govern and rule; for those oppressed by tyranny; for prisoners of addiction or abuse; for the Church as a refuge for the needy. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(UMC Book of Worship)
The Lord’s Prayer – UMH 895
Offering Song – O Little Town of Bethlehem – UMH 230:
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift if given;
so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, us pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born is us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
(Phillips Brooks and Lewis H. Redner)
Prayer of Dedication:
(All) Loving God, your Church once again joyfully receive its Savior, who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour forth your blessings upon us and upon our humble gifts. Make them acceptable to be used in your service to promote justice and mercy for all the people of the world. Amen
Carol – Go, Tell It on the Mountain – UMH 251:
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
Blessing:
The almighty God bless us with divine grace, Christ give us the joys of everlasting life, and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.
Ushers will dismiss us row by row beginning with the back rows. You may leave your offering in the plate at the back. Please do not gather in the narthex after the service but go to the parking lot for fellowship.
Announcements:
Ushers needed for Sunday worship. Please call Gordon Freeman at 703-680-4629 for information and to volunteer.
Handbell Choir Practice Saturday January 7 at 2pm
Bible Study Wednesdays at 7pm on Zoom and in-person. New book beginning January 5th . “Holy Spirit: Here and Now” by Trevor Hudson.
The Cokesbury UMC Prayer Group meets weekly Mondays at 6pm on Zoom – all are invited to join and participate! Please send or share all prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle so we may give each concern prayerful attention.
https://zoom.us/j/98610851248?pwd=MVZkSHlPeGdyLzhZT2o5WVh2NGpuUT09
Meeting ID: 986 1085 1248 Passcode: 940573
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,98610851248#,,,,*940573# US (Washington DC)
A.C.T.S is in need of the following items:
Canned Vegetables, especially peas, 15 oz size, Low sodium canned vegetables, Snack items, individually packed, Pop-top canned prepared meals suitable for our homeless clients, Single serve prepared food suitable for our homeless clients, Laundry Detergent, Dish Detergent, Cleaning Supplies in general, Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items, Size 4T pull-ups, Size 6 diapers.
October Revenue: $7618.80
Expenses $9677.71
Loss: $2058.91
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