In-Person Sunday Morning at 9:30 am
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Pre-Recorded Worship Service
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Order of Worship
First Sunday After Christmas
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BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation
* stand with your heart or with your posture
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GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST
Prelude
"Once in Royal David's City"
UMH #250
(in person only)
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
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Call to Worship
Liturgist: People of God, look about and see the faces of those we know and love.
People: We see neighbors and friends here, sisters and brothers, and community of kindred hearts.
Liturgist: People of God, look about and see the faces of those we hardly know.
People: We see strangers, sojourners, forgotten friends, and ones who need an outstretched hand.
Liturgist: People of God, look about and see all the images of God assembled here.
People: In me, in you, in each of us, God’s Spirit shines for all to see.
Liturgist: People of God, come!
All: Let us worship together!
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Opening Prayer
Loving God, may we find a place called home, a place where faith holds us, grace renews us where forgiveness longs for us to be who you will us to be. May we find a place called home
where we are accepted as we are, where we are taken in and loved unconditionally. Gracious God may we find a place called home where we belong, our souls fit, our questions are allowed, our anger is heard, our needs are recognized, our pain is held and our names are known. May United Methodist Church of Westford be that place, O God, this community, this group of travelers, doubters and companions on the way. Loving God and Homecoming God may we make this a home to all who still yet seek a place of grace-filled sanctuary and gracious welcome. So be it. Amen
(Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws)
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Opening Hymn
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"
UMH #229
Joys and Concerns
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Prayer Response
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
UMH #230 (verse 4)
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ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD
Scripture
Matthew 2:13-18; John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth.
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph[h] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Message
"Merry Christmas! And Now What?"
Pastor Seok-Hwan
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Message in Music
"May My Light Shine"
Lynn Shaw Bailey & Becki Slagle Mayo
Barbara Beatty & Jane Beatty, vocalists, and Mark Beatty, guitarist
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*Offertory Prayer
We are the Receivers, receivers of love, receivers of grace and receivers of Jesus. We are the Givers, following God’s call, following Jesus, following our hearts. Lord, we give these offerings for the work of your kingdom, with humble thanks for mercies received. Amen.
(Worship Resources in a Mennonite Voice for Ears of All Kinds)
*Closing Hymn
“In the Bleak Midwinter”
UMH #221 (vs. 1 & 4)
Blessing and Sending Forth
Postlude
"Joy to the World"
arr. David Marlatt
(in person only)
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Online Service
Video: Sharon Lipp
Liturgist: Pete Seymour
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In-Person Services
Liturgist: Nancy Kendall
Usher: Roy Higgins
Sound Board: Valarie Wilder
Projection: Sharon Lipp
Organist: Matt Cron
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Our Mission Statement
“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”
Our Openness Statement
“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”
Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.
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