First Sunday of Christmas

Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Kelli Hallsten-Erickson, Lay Leader
Wendy Durrwachter, Pianist
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Kathryn Nelson

Prelude

Greeting One Another

Announcements

Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

Responsive Call to Worship        based on Psalm 148

Praise the Lord, all the earth, from the highest heights to the deepest depths!
Let everything sing and shout praise to the Creator!
Praise the Lord, all the heavens and starry host!
All throughout the universe, may praise to God abound!
Come, let us joyfully praise God!
Let us live our praise in deeds of loving kindness.

*Opening Hymn   “Go Tell it on the Mountain” (#154)

Unison Prayer of Confession

Creator God, as we draw near to a new year, we come before you filled with wonder and questions. What is in store for us? In what ways will we grow and change in this coming year? Where will we be 12 months from now? We bring our questions before you, trusting that you will journey with us in this coming year and will lead us in new and exciting paths. We also pause to confess our past failures, the things we have done wrong, the ways we have ignored you and your people. We let go of the year that is now almost past. We ask for your forgiveness and for your spirit to pulse through us with the new life Christ brings. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Story for All Ages

God is Revealed in the Word

God’s Word in the Epistles: Revelation 21:1–6a

Special Music

God’s Word in the Gospel: Matthew 25:31–40

Sermon     “What Kind of Savior?”

Hymn    “Joy to the World”     (#132)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer by Nathan Holst, the Lord’s Prayer (with debts) and Choral Amen

Sharing our Offerings

Offertory  

*The Thanksgiving     “Doxology”    

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below
Praise God for all that love has done.
Creator, Christ and Spirit, One.

*Prayer of Dedication

Closing Carol Sing

*Benediction

*Postlude