Welcome – Pastor Gayle
Call to Worship – Choir
Hymn – The First Noel – UMH 245
The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in 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.
Refrain
And by the light of that same star
three Wise Men came from country far,
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Refrain
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain
Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Refrain
Praises and Prayer Concerns
Pastoral Prayer – Pastor
Scripture Reading – Mark 1:1-11
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ. As it is written in
the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight,’ ”
so John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And the whole
Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him
and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their
sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt
around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed,
“The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not
worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I have
baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was
baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of
the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like
a dove upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my
Son, the Beloved with you I am well pleased.”
L: The Word of God in scripture; for the Word of God within us and for the Word of God among us we say:
All: Thanks be to God.
Message – Pastor Gayle
Reaffirmation of Faith – UMH 46
All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Prayer of Confession – UMH 12
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Passing the Peace – May the peace of Christ be with you.
Offering: Joyfully offering our time, talent, energy, and resources
Hymn – We Three Kings – UMH 254
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 light, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain
Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.
Refrain
Doxology – UMH 95
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise God all creatures here below,
praise God above you heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Holy Communion – UMH 13
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor: in union with Christ’s offering for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
The Lord’s Prayer – UMH 895
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 for ever. Amen.
Sharing the Bread and Cup – All are invited to the Lord’s table to receive the bread (the body of Christ, the Bread of heaven) and the cup (the blood of Christ, the cup of salvation).
Prayer of Thanksgiving – UMH 11
Announcements
Benediction
Hymn – Go, Tell It On the Mountain – UMH 251
Refrain:
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 might,
behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light.
Refrain
The shepherds feared and trembled, when lo! Above the earth,
rang out the angel chorus that hailed the Savior’s birth.
Refrain
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Refrain
Please pray for: Lowery family, Zachary, Bel, Steve, Donna and Fred, Kyle, Jackson-Hester family, Gordon and Joan, Judy S., Jaxson F., Brenda, Israel, Palestinians, Barbara H., Marc T., Bob and Kathy, Nalo, Wenona, Mark Y., Louise Y. Requests will be kept on the list for 4 weeks and then may be re-submitted. Send prayer requests to Pastor Gayle- prayer cards or email cokesburyumc@gmail.com
This Week at Cokesbury
Advent Study: 4 weeks The Uncluttered Heart by Beth A. Anderson. Sunday mornings following worship.
Prayer Wednesdays 5:30pm in Narthex
Weekend food packing after worship in fellowship hall.
Choir practice Saturdays at 12 noon adults. 2pm children.
Simplified Accountable Structure exploration meeting Tues. Jan. 9th at 7:30pm on Zoom.
Later this Month
Welcome Table Potluck second Sundays at 11:30 am.
Friday with Friends every Third Friday at 11 am. Bring a bag lunch. Food and conversation.
Cokesbury Leadership Training Saturday Jan. 20th 9am.
Loving Our Neighbors
Featherstone and Rippon Schools:
– Weekend food bags. See shopping list for needed items. Also, gallon size zip lock bags.
– Winter clothing, socks and underwear. See list.
Community Garden: See the new garden plots.
English Language class next semester begins in March
Connect with Cokesbury:
703.494.5400
Gmail : CokesburyUMC@gmail.com
Website : CokesburyUMC.church
Facebook : facebook.com/cokesburywoodbridge
YouTube : youtube.com/@cokesburyumcwoodbridge5242
Instagram : instagram.com/cokesburyumc_woodbridge/
Contact Pastor Gayle: 703.980.1029. Mondays are her sabbath.
CCLI #2851555