Sunday, January 5, 2025
The Second Sunday After Christmas
We are grateful for your ongoing support of the mission and ministries of St. Mark’s. For your convenience, you can donate to St. Mark’s using this QR code:
Loving care for our youngest children (infants-age 4) is provided in Room 24 during the Worship Service.
HSunday, January 5, 2025
The Second Sunday After Christmas Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC Ilze Akerbergs
GREETING & WELCOME Reverend Jimmy Moore and Reverend Mary Beth Morgan
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE AND THE RINGING OF THE BELLS
INTROIT Ilze Akerbergs Creator of the Stars at Night — Paul Fejko (b.1957)
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Here in this place, we present ourselves to God.
All: Here in this place, we present our children to God, asking that they might be blessed.
One: When Jesus was very young, Mary and Joseph took him to the Temple to be blessed.
All: An old man of faith took Jesus into his arms, and blessed him.
In Jesus, Simeon saw the light of the world, the hope of the people of Israel.
One: Barbara Brown Taylor once said, “To pronounce a blessing is to participate in God’s own audacity.”
All: Today, may the blessing of noticing & naming guide us in our fellowship, and in our living. Let us worship.
*GATHERING HYMN Page 7
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Sing we now of Christmas
One: Let us say what we believe:
All: We are the people of God.
We are sisters and brothers together, as one, by the love of our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.
We believe in the presence of God throughout human history. We believe that God was and is revealed in human life, supremely in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.
We believe in the eternal Spirit of God, who moves in and among all people, Leading us toward change and peace, and wholeness. Amen
A CALL TO PRAYER JOYS AND CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER SILENT PRAYERS 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 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
LESSON FROM THE GOSPELS
SERMON
Luke 2:22-40
Reverend Mary Beth Morgan
To Pronounce a Blessing is to Participate in God’s own initiative
A CALL TO GIVING OFFERTORY The Chancel Choir
A Winter Carol— Traditional English Melody, setting by Fred Gramann 'Tis winter now; the fallen snow has left the heavens all coldly clear; through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,and all the earth lies dead and drear.
And yet God's love is not withdrawn; his life within the keen air breathes; his beauty paints the crimson dawn,and clothes each branch with glittering wreaths.
And though abroad the sharp winds blow, and skies are chill, and frosts are keen, home closer draws her circle -4-
now, and warmer glows her light within.
O God, you give the winter's cold, as well assummer's joyous rays, us warmly in your love enfold, and keep us through life's wintry days.
*THE DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit! Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, we offer ourselves and our gifts to be used according to your will.
May we be faithful witnesses and stewards of all that has been given us. Amen
*CLOSING HYMN Page 8
Go, Tell it on the Mountain
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Ilze Akerbergs Postlude on Duke Street — Mark A. Radice (b.1951)
January 5, 2025
PARISH JOYS AND CONERNS
Death
Philip R. Schafer
HOSPITALIZATION, EXTENDED CARE & HEALING AT HOME
Ben Ackerman
Dixie Arter, Peggy Hoyle’s mother
Randy Barnes
Liz Collins
Flo Davis
Peggy Emard, sister of Karen Korn
Linda Joachim Gluff
Mike Grubbs
Diana Hall
Loren Henry
John Hopkins, Brother-in-law of Carle and Linda
Crawford
Peggy Good Hoyle
Martin, son of Peggy Good Hoyle
John I
Debra Jones
Bill Kemp
Karen Korn
Carrie Lawrence
Tim Lloyd
Bruce Martin
Trish Martin
Doran May
Joan McEvoy
Ann McNair
Suzie Rimstidt
Jo Parrish, Mother of Susan Parrish
Suzie Rimstidt
Nancy Rusnak
Jason Shaw
Georgia Sumner
Cheryl Wolf
Patti Wright
Mike Yost
AH
Ally
Carol
Charles
Cillian
Daniel
David
Gunner
Jenny
Jeremy
Jordan
Julie
Kay
Kim, friend of Annette Lemond
Kip I.
Laura
Matisse
Matt
Phyllis
Sheila
Sue
Tom
THIS WEEK @ ST. MARK’S
Sunday, January 5, 2025
9:30am Nomads Room 8
10:30am Worship Service Sanctuary
10:30am Sunday School Rooms 4
Monday, January 6, 2025
7:00pm Trustees Meeting Room 8/Zoom
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
7:00pm Trustees Meeting Room 8
Thursday, December 9, 2025
11:00am Women of Wonder and Faith Room 8
5:30pm Library Committee Library
6:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
7:00pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
Friday, December 10, 2025
1:00pm Conversations on Life Room 15
Saturday, December 11, 2025
7:00am S.O.S. (Men’s A.A.) Choir Room
9:00am A.A. Room 15
8:30am Bloomington Quilt Guild Garton Hall
St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Indiana is an inclusive community, bringing Christ-like love, healing and hope to all.
We embrace the United Methodist ideal of Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors by welcoming and affirming those of all races, cultures, faith traditions, sexual orientations, and gender identities.