A Service for the Lord’s Day
December 27, 2020
First Sunday of Christmas
Call to Worship — Psalm 148
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women,
old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the Lord.
Opening Song
Prayer of Confession
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: Our Savior has come! While we were sinners, Christ was born. Christ died. Christ rose in victory. And in him we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Children’s Message
Affirmation of Faith – from The Scots Confession
We do not doubt that the same body of Christ which was born of the virgin, was crucified, dead, and buried, and which did rise again, did ascend into the heavens for the accomplishment of all things, where in our name and for our comfort he has received all power in heaven and earth, where he sits at the right hand of the Father, having received his kingdom, the only advocate and mediator for us… We believe that the same Lord Jesus shall visibly return for the Last Judgment as he was seen to ascend. And then, we firmly believe, the time of refreshing and restitution of all things shall come, so that those who from the beginning have suffered violence, injury, and wrong for righteousness’ sake, shall inherit that blessed immortality promised them from the beginning.
Prayers of the People
God of mystery and might, we praise and worship you, for you entered our world as a child of humble birth. We thank you on this Christmas Sunday for your Son, Jesus Christ, born of your handmaid Mary. In his face we behold your glory, and in his life — as in his death and resurrection — we find salvation. By your Holy Spirit, make our hearts burn with thanksgiving, that we may give as we have received and love as we have been loved. May our whole lives be offerings of praise to you. Trusting that you hear us, we especially pray for:
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those in authority… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The needs of the community… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal, its mission, and those who minister… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The local congregation and its ministry, especially… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray as Jesus taught us, saying:
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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Tithes and Offerings
With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord. (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)
Offertory
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.
Closing Song
Benediction
May the peace of the risen Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.