Order of Worship 01/05/2025
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 5th, 2025; Ten Thirty in the morning
Worship Leader: Elder Sharon Fortin
Liturgist: Bill Bottomley
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
Please stand, in body or spirit
THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN
PRELUDE Allemande from French Suite No. 5 (Bach)
PROCESSIONAL HYMN [*Blue #66][GTG#151] We Three Kings
1 We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!
2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never over us all to reign. [Refrain]
5 Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice:
WORDS OF WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Jeremiah 31:8, 13
ONE: The Lord will gather the people from exile;
MANY: God will turn their sorrow into joy.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Eternal God,
HYMN [Blue#53] [GTG#145] What Child is This
1 What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!
2 Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!
3 So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby.
REPENTANCE
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the Bethlehem star, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. The Magi sought Christ simply to worship him, but Herod sought him to appease his jealous anger. We confess that our motives in seeking Jesus are not pure. That sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace. Help us to follow the example of the Magi who sought first your kingdom. In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and pour out the gifts of your Spirit, that forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED
1st SCRIPTURE Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
2nd SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
RESPONSE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Sarabande from French Suite No. 5 (Bach)
DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
CELEBRATION of the LORD’S SUPPER
ONE: The Lord be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Lift up your hearts.
MANY: We lift them up to the Lord.
ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
ONE: …who forever sing to the glory of your name:
MANY: 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.
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
ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.
MANY: Thanks be to God.
HYMN [GTG#154] Jesus Entered Egypt
1 Jesus entered Egypt fleeing Herod’s hand,
living as an alien in a foreign land.
Far from home and country with his family,
was there room and welcome for this refugee?
2 Jesus was a migrant living as a guest
with the friends and strangers who could offer rest.
Do we hold wealth lightly so that we can share
shelter with the homeless, and abundant care?
3 Jesus crosses borders with the wandering poor,
searching for a refuge, for an open door.
Do our words and actions answer Jesus’ plea:
PARTING PRAYER
God of all who wander,
We have come through many deserts; we have endured them all. And now we see the Light that the Holy Child sheds upon our path. We worship him, offering the treasure of our hearts. God, be our guiding light. Dispel all darkness, and let the good news shine in our lives in word and deed. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
RESPONSE [GTG#137] He Came Down
1 He came down that we may have love;
he came down that we may have love;
he came down that we may have love;
hallelujah forevermore.
POSTLUDE He Came Down Reprise arr. John L. Bell
**Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. The Prayer of Confession is reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, copyright 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.”
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STAFF |
Church Office 504.888.1375
Playschool Office 504.888.1378
Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant
Lauren Oufnac – Playschool Director
Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.
For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org
or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on Facebook and Instagram.
Announcements 01/05/2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DECORATION TAKEDOWN: Please stay, if you are able, after service to help take down the Christmas decorations around the church.
ELDER ELECTION: We will be having a quick congregational meeting before the conclusion of service on 1/12/25 to reelect and elect the following members:
Cameron Mayfield
Sue Crawford
Cindy Freudenthal
Our Ordination and Installation will take place on 1/19/25. Please make sure to mark your calendar.
PSL MEET AND GREET: There will be a Presbytery meeting in January at St. Charles Presbyterian Church for all churches thinking about merging or partnering with another church. It’s on January 14 at 5:30 p.m., and they will provide dinner.
Christian ED: Are you interested in leading the next Adult Sunday School series? Please reach out to Briana about what your topic will be and how long the series is. Materials can be ordered for you.
CALENDAR:
1/5 Worship Service 10:30a
1/6 Worship Committee Meeting 10:30a
1/9 PW Game Day 10a