First Sunday of Christmas
January 1, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Dr. Lillian Hines, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
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 others,
To make music in the heart.
-Howard Thurman
GATHERING
Prelude: The Snow Lay on the Ground | arr. Jordan
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our Help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
This is the first day of the new year,
Let us rejoice and be glad!
This is the time God calls us to rise up,
Let us rejoice and be glad!
This is the world God needs us to love,
Let us rejoice and be glad!
This is the day that our God has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
We could proclaim your name, God of this holy season, but we spend too much time talking about celebrities.
We could tell others about all your gracious deeds, but are comparing notes about the exploits of our favorite athletes.
We could let your Word guide our lives, but instead we do what the politicians think is best.
Why? Because we forget who we are called to be. But you remember, Faithful God.
You remember that we put our trust in others, not you; you remember how we chase after idols, not follow you; you remember to save us in our distress, which is why you sent Jesus to us, our Lord, our Savior.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
In the silence, in the dreams, in the wonder, in the words, God comes to save us and have mercy on us.
It is fitting that we offer our thanks and praise to the One who forgives us. Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Psalm 19:7-9
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding | arr. Mataranglo
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, by the gift of your Holy Spirit show us the Word made flesh— good news of great joy for all— so that we may sing with the angels:
glory in the highest and peace on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: What Child is This?
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:13-23
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “"Wake Up” | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
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 and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come 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. Amen.
Offering: The First Noel |arr. Cherwien
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Communion Hymn: Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
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: Holy and right it is and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord our Creator, almighty and everlasting God!...
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name.
Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
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!
Remembering the Work of Christ
One: Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. ... Together we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Memorial Acclamation
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Invocation of the Spirit
One: So send your Holy Spirit upon us we pray... Even so, come Lord Jesus we pray.
All: Amen
Holy Communion
Words of Institution
One: The bread which we break is our communion with the body of Christ. The body of Christ is broken for you.
One: The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ. The blood of Christ is shed for you.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Remember God’s message: Do not be afraid! Therefore we pray with hope and joy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With hope and joy, we pray for the church . . .
Help us to follow our gentle Savior and Lord,
who leads his children through suffering
to the peace and glory of your holy realm. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With hope and joy, we pray for the earth . . .
Join our voices with the hymn of all creation,
so that we may sing with heaven and earth
the beauty and glory of your name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With hope and joy, we pray for all nations . . .
Listen to those who weep for their children,
victims of poverty, famine, and war.
Do not let their cries go unanswered. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With hope and joy, we pray for this community . . .
Watch over those who are far from home,
and teach us to show hospitality and care
for refugees and strangers among us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With hope and joy, we pray for loved ones . . .
Strengthen those who are weak or suffering;
support and sustain them in times of trial.
Help them to put their trust in you. (names read) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We ask these things with joy, O God,
confident in the knowledge of your goodness;
and we ask these things with hope, knowing that our redeemer is here— for to us is born a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, Jesus Christ, in whose holy name we pray.
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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High
Benediction
Postlude: Sing We Now of Christmas | arr. Hayes
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, January 8 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, January 15– eggs
Sunday, January 22 - gallon(s) whole milk
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED