WestminsterPresbyterian ChurchA Telling Presence in the City

Sunday, December 27, 2020, 10:30 am

1200 Marquette Avenue | Minneapolis 55403westminstermpls.org | 612.332.3421

@westminstermpls

Together we are the Body of Christ. While apart, we covenant still to be the church.We are not alone. Thanks be to God!

Nativity, by Jean Lebedeff, wood engraving, Russian, 1926The Westminster Collection

Preparing for the WordOur service begins with the Prelude, inviting us to prepare for worship.

Prelude Christmas Carol Medley Kenneth Vigne, piano; Jeffrey Gram, percussion

Our Life in Christ Rev. Alanna Simone TylerOne: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you.

Call to Worship (from Isaiah 9 and Luke 2)One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.All: Glory to God in the highest!One: For a child has been born to us; a Son has been given to us.All: Glory to God in the highest!One: To us is born in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.All: Glory to God in the highest!One: Let us worship God.

Hymn No. 132 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Rebecca Blackwell, cantor

Call to Confession and Prayer of Confession (Unison)God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light and life. We confess that we have not always welcomed your light, or trusted in the abundant life you offer. We have failed to recognize your glory in our midst, expecting little and hoping for less. Forgive us and renew our hope, that we might receive the fullness of your grace and live in the truth of Christ your Son.

Silent Prayers of Confession Worshippers seek and reflect on God’s forgiveness in their own lives

Assurance of God’s ForgivenessOne: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Friends, hear the good news:All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.

Listening for the WordA Time with Children Rev. Alexandra Mauney

Prayer for Illumination Paul Arbisi

Readings from Holy ScripturePsalm 148John 1:1-14One: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Reflection

Hymn No. 125 Before the Marvel of this Night

Reflection

Hymn No. 138 Who Would Think that What Was Needed

Reflection

Responding to the WordPastoral Prayer 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. Amen.

Offertory SentencesWe give in response to God’s blessings. Worshippers are invited to use the “Give” link on the livestream page or the Tithe.ly church app, or mail a check to support the mission and ministry of Westminster.

Offertory Wexford Carol Irish Traditional Carol

Prayer of Dedication for the Offerings Received

Hymn No. 136 Go Tell It on the Mountain

Charge and BenedictionThe people respond with “Amen.”

Passing of the PeaceSince the earliest days of the Christian Church, worshippers have greeted each other with a sign of peace. All are invited to offer a verbal greeting, such as: “Peace be with you.”

One: The peace of Christ be with you.All: And also with you.

Postlude Go Tell It On the Mountain arr. Kenneth Vigne

Coffee Hour Zoom linkhttps://zoom.us/j/99399406329?pwd=YnlDMUZ3N3VuTGxDTTZ4R05FdU1tQT09

Join us for worship and adult education via livestream | westminstermpls.online.church-or-

facebook.com/westminstermpls

Sundays 9:15 am Learning Hour resumes Jan. 1010:30 am Worship; 5 pm Gathered at Five

Wednesdays 6 pm Evening Worship: Silence & Song resumes Jan. 6

Daily Phone Devotions612.332.7087

Dec 27 .................................. Luke 2:22-40 28 ..............................................Psalm 14829 ................................ Matthew 12:46-5030 ........................................2 Peter 3:8-1331 .............................. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13Jan 1 ..........................Revelation 21:1-6a 2 .................................... Ephesians 1:3-143 ..............................................John 1:1-18

Today’s flowers are in loving memory of Eda Kelley, born Jan. 1, 1921

by her daughter, Suzanne Kelley

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Text: Medieval Latin; trans. and para. John Mason Neale, 1853, alt. Music: German folk melody, 14th cent.; harm. David Hugh Jones, 1953 © 1955, ren. 1983 John Ribble (admin. Westminster John Knox Press). Printed with permission under One License #A- 704045. All rights reserved.

Before the Marvel of this Night Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda © 1981 Concordia Publishing House; Music: Carl F. Schalk © 1979 GIA Publications, Inc. Printed with permission under One License #A- 704045. All rights reserved.

Who Would Think that What Was Needed Text: John L. Bell and Graham Maule; Music: John L. Bell © 1987, 2005 WGRG, Iona Community (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.). Printed with permission under One License #A- 704045. All rights reserved.

Go Tell it On the Mountain Text: African American spiritual; stanzas, John W. Work II; Music: African American spiritual; arr. John W. Work III, 1940; harm. Melva Wilson Costen. Music Harm. © 1989 Melva Wilson Costen. Printed with permission under One License #A- 704045. All rights reserved.

Your pledge helps the church plan for 2021 ministry. Please let the church know your pledge online or return your pledge card, and receive a special musical tribute. Thank you for helping Build the Beloved Community!

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