Faith that Distinguishes “First”

January 1, 2023
Pastor Jacob Lee
Worship

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Service of Worship

“Pifa” from Messiah
G.F. Handel
Public Domain

Leader: A new day has dawned, a new year begun
People: O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice
Leader: The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future
People: O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path
Leader: We enter this new year with hope and excitement
People: O Lord, remind us that You lead us. O Lord, guide us as [we] look to You and worship You. Amen.

(Rev. Mindi, from Discipleship Ministries)

Opening Hymn — #139 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
now to his temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!

2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigning
bears thee on eagle’s wings, e’er in his keeping maintaining.
God’s care enfolds
all, whose true good he upholds.
Hast thou not known his sustaining?

3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with his love doth befriend thee.

4. Praise to the Lord, who doth nourish thy life and restore thee,
fitting thee well for the tasks that are ever before thee.
Then to thy need
God as a mother doth speed,
spreading the wings of grace o’er thee.

5. Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen
sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.

Praise To The Lord The Almighty
Catherine Winkworth | Joachim Neander | Paul Schilling | Rupert Eric Davies
Public Domain
Ste. 2 & 4 Words: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Holy Communion — The United Methodist Hymnal, page 15

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…The pastor concludes:
And so,
with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

…The pastor concludes:
And so,
in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.

All honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever.
now and for ever.

Amen.

Pastor’s Time With the Children

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory – Hani

How Great Thou Art
Arr. Craig Curry

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

God of glorious surprises: Like the wise men sent by Herod, we, too, come as searchers for a glimpse of your presence. As were the people in those days, we are surprised that we find you not in a palace but in a stable, surrounded by a family of poor refugees and worshiped by the lowly shepherds. Like them, our gifts from our wealth seem simultaneously too material and woefully shabby and outshined by what you have given us. Just the same, use our gifts for the work of justice, mercy, and compassion—as would befit the Savior who sleeps in a manger. It’s in his holy name, we pray. Amen.

(Matthew 2:1-12)

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:33 (NRSV)

33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Response
The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Anthem — Chancel Choir

Good News Celebration
Carlton C. Buck | Dale Wood
© 1982 Agape / Hope Publishing
Used by Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420

Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“Faith that Distinguishes ‘First’”

Closing Hymn — #246 “God of Grace and God of Glory” (v. 1, 2, 4)

1. God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.

2. Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us;
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.

4. Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the search for thy salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving thee whom we adore,
serving thee whom we adore.

God of Grace and God of Glory
Harry Emerson Fosdick | John Hughes
Public Domain

Benediction

Postlude – Hani

La Marche des Rois
Clement Loret
Public Domain