CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Service of the Word for January 2, 2022
Second Sunday after Christmas
Welcome: Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Questions for Reflection: “It wasn’t the age of indifference…it was the age of self-absorption and of informational overload, driving people crazy with the stress of an excessively demanding life and corroding the core values of humanity.” If this quote from the book, “The Girl from Silent Lake” resonates with you in any sense, how might you allow your faith to give you a different outlook on life during the year ahead?
Prelude Lo How A Rose E're Blooming TPH 48 sung by Keisha Prime
Lighting of the Christ Candle (liturgist/people)
(The Advent candles are all lit)
The waiting is over. The dreaming has given birth to a new reality.
The source of our healing has come near. God’s promise has been fulfilled.
The Advent candles are all lit, forming a circle of light that reminds us of God’s never-ending love.
Now we light the Christ candle, remembering that Jesus is in our midst, today and always.
(Light the Christ candle, the middle, white candle)
All: Thank you God, for coming to be with us in the form of Jesus. We rejoice that he lived as one of us, knew our joys and sorrows, our pains and hopes and dreams. As he came to show your love to us, help us to show your love to others all the year through. Amen
Hymn “Joy to the World” TPH #40
Call to Confession
As we enter this new year, let us pause to confess our old sinful ways and embrace each new opportunity Christ presents us. Let us confess our sin.
Prayer Of Confession
Christ our Savior, you have empowered us to become children of God, but we doubt our power and our ability to create change. We excuse ourselves from necessary action citing priorities that are not yours. We deny the gifts and talents with which you have blessed us to embody love and work for justice. Forgive us. Merciful God. Remind us how much we have to offer. Hear us, now as we offer our silent prayers…
Declaration of Forgiveness pardon (Luke 6:37)
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Thanks be to God!
Turn to those near to you—or across the room—and smile, nod your
head, indicating that your share these blessings with one another
Prayer for Illumination
God of peace, bind us together around your Word and send us out to do your justice, show your mercy, and embody your redeeming love, glorifying you in all we say and do. Amen.
A Reading from the Prophets Joel 2:27-32 NRS
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.
Hymn “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” TPH #31
Reading from the Gospels Luke 2:22-40 NRS
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,2 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Sermon “Where Have All the Visions Gone? The Rev. Lois Lehman
Christmas Litany/ Affirmation of Faith *
Congregational Response is “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all!
Every life in all its uniqueness is precious to God, who came to us in Bethlehem, in a particular time. For the grace…
Lives of every color and race: All these are precious to God. For the grace…
Lives of children, youth, adults, the elderly: All these are precious. For the grace..
Undocumented lives, disabled lives, migrant lives: all these are precious. For the grace
All who face oppression, discrimination, war and famine are precious. For the grace..
All who are burdened by mental unhealth, and by any stigma attached to it are precious to God. For the grace…
All who find themselves outside of the inns of our society, lonely and outcast are precious. For the grace…
All those who, like the shepherds, labor, and especially those who labor on holidays when others worship, celebrate and rest. For the grace..
Salvation is here! Taste of the Spirit and see God in others!! For the grace…
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Statement about Offering our Gifts
Joining in Mary’s joyful song, our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. With humble and grateful hearts, let us share what has been given to us to continue the ministries of this church and our mission partners.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music Glory in the Highest-Tomlin sung by Keisha Prime
[Verse 1]
You are the first, You go before
You are the last, Lord, You're the encore
Your name's in lights for all to see
The starry host declare Your glory
[Chorus]
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
[Verse 2]
Apart from You there is no God
Light of the world, the brightened morning star
Your name will shine for all to see
You are the one, You are my glory
[Chorus]
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
[Bridge]
And no one else could ever compare
To You, Lord
All the earth together declares
[Chorus]
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
To You, Lord, to You, Lord
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
To You, Lord, to You, Lord
[Verse 3]
All the earth will sing Your praise
The moon and stars, the sun and rain
Every nation will proclaim
You are God and You will reign
[Outro]
Glory, glory Hallelujah
Glory, glory to You, Lord
Glory, glory Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Bless these gifts by your grace, O God, so that they may provide healing and hope. Empower us to embody your Word as we move through this week, living justly, acting generously, speaking with truth, compassion and grace. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Invitation
*Communion Hymn “Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation” TPH #516
The Words of Institution
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy God, you alone are holy…Through long generations you have been faithful to your people.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!
In the fullness of time, you sent your Son..we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit…, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life. Send us out to answer the summons of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new life, and to follow him with joy and gladness. Set our feet in his holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life and all we do may show forth his love. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer (sung)
*Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” TPH #38
CHARGE
Be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading and grow as a member of Christ’s body. Love with God’s love, be at peace within yourself, make peace with others, prepare for the coming kingdom. Worship God and God alone, Holy Three, Holy One, forever and always.
BLESSING
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you, now and always. Amen
Postlude “Go, Tell it On The Mountain” Work II (1940) African-American Spiritual sung by Keisha Prime
Chorus
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepards kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behond, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Chorus
The shephards feared and trembled
When lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Saviour's birth!
Chorus
Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent our salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
- Christmas Litany written by Rev. William Cowfer, with inspiration from Liturgical Liturgies