Welcome! May God greatly bless you. If you are looking for a church home,
please consider Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
December 31, 2023 1st Sunday after Christmas 10:30 A. M.
Announcements
Prelude Lighting of the Candles
*Opening Prayer Pastor
*Call to Worship Responsive Reading from Psalm 148:13-14
Leader: Let all the earth and heavens praise the Lord, for his Name alone is exalted, and his Splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
All: He has raised up for his people a horn: the praise of all his saints, of Israel, of the people close to his heart.
Leader: We who used to be at a distance have been brought together by Jesus.
All: Christ has broken down the barriers that once kept us apart and erased the hostility between us.
Leader: The Son of God brings us the good news of peace!
*The Hymn “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” No. 208
(All Verses)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
Gracious Lord, you know us well, better than we know ourselves. You hear us cry “Gloria!” and “Praise!”, and you see us tear things apart with words and deeds. You hear us say “Thy will be done” and “Use me, O God”, and you see us do nothing in response to cries for help. We are blessed that you know us, love us, and forgive us. Help us to change; turn us around, and make us more loving, courageous, and hopeful people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon Pastor
Hear the good news! The time is now; the place is here: God has redeemed us from sin through his Son Jesus Christ. God has claimed us as His children! Life is given to us anew, and eternity is our home. Praise the Lord!
*Hymn of the Month “Emmanuel” No. 185
(Two Times)
Our Giving to the Lord Pastor
The gifts we offer to God seem small when we consider all we have been given in this season: wholeness in our woundedness, hope in our despair, peace in our turmoil, forgiveness in our rebellion. Let us imitate God’s extravagant generosity as we give of ourselves to God and to others.
*Offertory, Doxology and Offertory Prayer
*The Hymn “Ring the Bells” No. 203
(All Verses)
Sharing of Blessings and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer Pastor
Followed by The Lord’s Prayer
First Scripture Reading Hebrews 1:1-3, 11-13
Second Scripture Reading Galatians 4:4-7
Leader: This is the Holy Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God for His Holy Word.
Sermon “More about Jesus” Pastor
*The Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” No. 186
(Verse 5 Only)
*Benediction
*Retrieval of the Light
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.
*Postlude