Today we continue to learn about the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to the Temple after he is born and they meet a man, Simeon, and a prophetess, Anna. Both proclaim the baby will grow to be someone who will dismantle the status quo. Worship with us today as we continue to learn about the revolutionary Jesus.
Prelude – Go Tell It on the Mountain, played by Jean Herrera
Adam: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen
Lighting of the Peace Candle – Charlie Hinkle
Charlie: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. So, I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle as we say together…All: We pray for peace
in our hearts,
in our homes,
in our communities,
in our nations,
and in our worlds.
Scripture Readings
Luke 2:22-35
*Call to Worship – Adam and Charlie
Adam: Please join us in the call to worship…
Adam: We come from many different places to gather today,
Charlie/All: For wide is God’s welcome, and you are welcome here.
Adam: If you are young, old, or in the middle, you are welcome here.
Charlie/All: No matter the shade of your skin, you are welcome here.
Adam: If you are married, never married, widowed, or divorced, you are welcome here.
Charlie/All: If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer, you are welcome here.
Adam: If you are happy or sad, healthy or ailing, you are welcome here.
Charlie/All: If you are rich or poor, strong or weak, you are welcome here.
Adam: If you need accommodations to participate in worship, you are welcome here.
Charlie/All: No matter your gender expression, you are welcome here.
Adam: If you believe in God some of the time, none of the time, or all of the time, you are welcome here.
Charlie/All: So come, let us worship our welcoming God!
Children’s Moment – Adam
*Passing of the Peace – Charlie
Charlie: Friends, I invite you to join me in the passing of the peace…Close your eyes…breathe…breathe again. Put your hands on your heart. In your mind’s eye, imagine the light that is in all of us. Some might call it the Soul or Conscience or Essence or maybe you call it God. Take a piece of that light and hold it close. Now hold out your hands, imagine the light, your light, traveling from your fingers out across the world, like a sun ray. As the rays travel, accept the light that is offered to you, as you offer light, as the light returns to you… Breathe. Breathe again. Hold the light close. The Peace of Christ be with you…
All: And also with you.
Song: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen
Prayers of the People – Adam
(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)
Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Adam
Our God,
Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by 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 and ever. Amen.
Sermon – Rev. Charlie Hinkle
*Unison Benediction – Adam
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.
This day and forever more. Amen
-Numbers 6:24-26