December 29, 2024 – First Sunday after Christmas
A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, December 29, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, December 29.
Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.
We welcome guest organist Su Chen.
Introit
Prelude
Call to Worship
One Praise the Lord from the heavens and in the heights;
All: Praise God, sun and moon!
One God’s name alone is exalted;
All: God is above the earth and heaven.
One Young and old together, all creatures great and small,
All: Let us praise God’s holy name, now and evermore!
Lighting of the Christ Candle
This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.
Opening Hymn
“Unto us a child is born” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 160). Original Latin words 15th century. English translation (1928) by English Anglican cleric Percy Dearmer (1867–1936), alt; verse 2, revision from “Hymns for Today’s Church”. Music (tune: “Puer nobis nascitur”) carol melody from the 15th century, published in “Piae Cantiones”, 1582. Arrangement by Anglo-Canadian organist and composer Derek Holman (1931–2019). Words, music and translation public domain. Arrangement copyright © Derek Holman.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, and Lord’s Prayer (sins)
Loving and everlasting God In whom we live and move and have our being: great are you; great is your power, greater is your love, and of your wisdom and of your grace there is no end.
By your word that created all things and the love the moves the sun and moon and stars you created us; you have made us for yourself, and we are yours, and our hearts are restless until they come to rest in you. In this time of worship, receive our prayers and our praises as we honour your gifts of Light and Love which shine upon us through Jesus Christ this day and every day by your grace.
God of our lives and the time in which we live, we confess that we prefer our fantasy to your truth, and our plans to your purposes for us and the world. We shrink from costly discipleship and we seek cheap grace. Forgive our fleeting enthusiasms and our shallow commitments, and guide us always so that we might walk in your way and follow the way of your son now and always; through the steadfast grace of Christ.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
The mercy of our God is from everlasting to everlasting. Hear and believe the good news of the Gospel. In Jesus Christ, God’s generous love reaches out to embrace us. We are forgiven and set free to begin again. Let us forgive one another just as God has forgiven us. May the peace of Christ be with us all.
All: Thanks be to God!
The Peace
One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)
We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.
“Jesus loves me, this I know“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions, and music in the public domain.
Watching Video about Christmas
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
Scripture Readings
Colossians 3:12–17 <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Luke 2:41–52
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Colossians 3:12–17
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Luke 2:41–52
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents were unaware of this. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor.
Sermon
Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person or on-line, to hear the full version of the sermon.
Hymn
“Born in the night” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 137). Words and music (1964; tune: “Mary’s Child”) by English minister and composer Geoffrey Jackson Ainger (1925–2013). Harmony (1964) by American music academic and composer Richard D. Wetzel (1935–2023). Words, music and harmony copyright © 1964 Stainer & Bell, Ltd. (admin. Hope Publishing Company); used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A
Offering
As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.
Offering – Musical Reflection
We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.
Dedication of our Gifts
Our offering will now be received.
Doxology 306
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100th“ with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.
Prayer of dedication
God of love, we give thanks for the many blessings you have given us throughout our lives. We are grateful to celebrate the birth of your greatest gift, our Saviour Jesus, once again. Bless the offerings we make in his name, and use them and us to serve you well in the coming year. Amen.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope
Loving God, creator of heaven and earth, we bring you our prayers with glad and grateful hearts in this season of hope and joy.
For your image set within us all, calling us to love one another and to care for your creation, we give you thanks. For the gift of your Son who redeems us and guides us to serve you in the world, we give you thanks. For the energy and inspiration of your Holy Spirit, who equips us to meet the challenges we face, we give you thanks.
By your Holy Spirit, empower us to show your love to those for whom we pray this day:
- For the Church and those who lead in it in complex and difficult times…
- For the world that you have asked us to care for amid the challenges the climate crisis creates…
- For those who rule in the nations of the world, that they will attend to the needs of the most vulnerable and cries for justice in their lands…
- For those who serve as teachers, instructors, and mentors, and for students who face a world of constant change and challenge…
- For those who serve others as healers and caregivers, especially those feeling exhausted by the demands placed upon them…
- For those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and hunger, and the horror of war and occupation…
- For those who mourn the loss of someone dear and those who feel alone or neglected…
- For those imprisoned for defending truth and justice, and all who experience exclusion, powerlessness and oppression…
As the year draws to a close, give us grateful hearts for what has been loving and life-giving; give us peace about things that have been painful; and focus our attention on emerging opportunities to grow closer to you and to each other.
Keep us faithful in all we do in the name of Jesus Christ, our friend and saviour. Amen.
Closing Hymn
“In the Bleak Midwinter” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 145). Words (1872) by English poet Christina Rossetti (1830–1894). Music (1906; tune “Cranham”) by English composer Gustav Holst (1874–1934). Words and music public domain.
Changing the Light
Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.
Blessing
“Celtic Blessing”. Words Irish traditional. Music by former GCPC Music Director Carmen Lappano. Words public domain. Music copyright © Carmen Lappano; used by permission.
Postlude
Copyright © 2024 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2024-01-01 22:30 – First version.