A Service for the Lord’s Day
January 3, 2021
Second Sunday of Christmas
Call to Worship — Psalm 147:12-20
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
He grants peace within your borders;
he fills you with the finest of wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down hail like crumbs—
who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his ordinances.
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 – The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
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 in this Christmas season 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 offer these prayers in your name — Jesus, Emmanuel, our long-awaited Messiah. And we pray now as you 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.
A Prayer in the Absence of the Lord’s Supper
Lord Jesus, we believe that you are present in the Sacrament. We love you above all things and we long to receive you. Since we cannot at this time receive you sacramentally, we ask that you come spiritually into our hearts and unite yourself to us. Never let us be separated from you. We pray this in your name, amen.
Closing Song
Benediction