Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
Baptism of our Lord and Communion
December 15, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Luke 3:7-16, Isaiah 58:9b-12
Sermon: “Repent, Repair, Restore” by Rev. Dr. Ed Sunday-Winters
*Hymn: #116 (Songs of Spirit) People, Look East
*Hymn: #127 (Songs of Spirit) Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
*Hymn: #129 (Songs of Spirit) Of Eternal Love Begotten
Prelude: “Lo, How a Rose e’er blooming” by Michael Praetorius; performed by Andrew Koehler & Mavis MacNeil.
Welcome & Announcements
Call to worship:
One: “Teacher,” the crowd asked, “What should we do?”
All: If you have two shirts, give one away.
Hold onto hope.
Live like we belong to one another.
Speak the truth.
Look for God.
Do the good that is yours to do.
One: It’s all that easy, and it’s all that hard.
All: Let us worship our present and active God.
Opening Prayer
*Gloria Patri #36
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Litany of lighting
One: In a weary and worn world,
how do we begin again?
Where do we start?
All: Let us start small.
Let us begin with what is right in front
of us.
Let us do the good that is ours to do,
and let us do it with joy!
One: Yes, let us begin with joy.
Today we light the candles of hope, peace,
and joy.
All: May these lights remind us of what
could be.
May these lights inspire action.
May the warmth of these lights fill us
with joy.
One: May it be so! Amen.
*Hymn: #116 (Songs of Spirit) People, Look East
Scripture: Luke 3:7-16, Isaiah 58:9b-12
Anthem: Child Ballad No 54 – Cherry Tree Carol”, sung by Mavis MacNeil.
Sermon: “Repent, Repair, Restore” by Rev. Dr. Ed Sunday-Winters
A Time of Silence
Offertory:
*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. Amen.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, may our giving today be a releasing of joy and an expression of our faith in the notion that small acts of love do make a difference. Amen.
*Hymn: #129 (Songs of Spirit) Of Eternal Love Begotten
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
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.
*Hymn: #127 (Songs of Spirit) Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
*Benediction
*Musical Benediction “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in Peace. Never be afraid.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Go now in faith, steadfast strong and true.
Reach out to others so all the world can see,
Know He will guide you in all you do.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in Love. Amen
Postlude: “Warm In December” by Bob Russell, performed by Andrew Koehler & Mavis MacNeil.