Worship 12/31/23

Starling Avenue Baptist Church First Sunday After Christmas December 31, 2023 ╬ 11:00 a.m.

The Worship of God First Sunday After Christmas December 31, 2023 ╬ 11:00 a.m. *We invite you to stand as you are able.

Gathering at God’s Invitation Welcome

John Scott

Call to Worship

John Scott

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord for the heavens; Praise God in the heights!

Praise God, all the angels!

Praise God, sun and moon and shining stars!

Praise the Lord from the earth!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

God’s glory is above the earth and heavens!

Let us praise the name of the Lord!

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Tommy Wells

We light the Christ candle as a reminder that Christ is the one who has drawn us to this place, abides with us now, and is with us to the end of the age.

Prelude

The First Noel

Life of the Community

Victor Labenske

Becky Nance

Offering Ourselves to God *Hymn #87

Arise, Your Light Is Come

FESTAL SONG

Psalm 148

John Scott

Scripture Reading The Word of God for the People of God Thanks Be to God.

Prayer of Thanks

Becky Nance

Emmanuel, God with us, Like the shepherds we have come here looking for you, Ready to glorify and praise you For all we have seen and heard.

Your presence with your people, Both long ago and today, Brings to birth in us Hope, peace joy and love, As we wish for the hole world.

May you angels quell any fears we might have, So that we too can join this celebration With excitement and praise. Amen *Scripture Reading

Luke 2:22-40

Becky Nance

The First Nowell

THE FIRST NOWELL

The Word of God for the People of God Thanks Be to God.

*Hymn #124 Giving our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Prayer Offertory *Doxology (Hymn #706)

Tommy Wells Shepherds Worship

James Koerts

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Listening to God Scripture Reading

Colossians 3:12-17

John Scott

For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us.

Thanks be to God.

The Church at Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer Laura Davis 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.

Anthem

Stars Shall Find

John Victor

Sermon

“New Year’s Resolutions?”

Laura Davis

Discipline of Silence To be in God’s presence is to be changed.

During this moment of silent reflection, consider the change God wishes to make in you.

Responding to God’s Word *Hymn #143

Go, Tell It on the Mountain

GO TELL IT

If you sense God calling you today, we invite you to respond during this time of invitation.

If God is calling you to follow Jesus for the first time, to rededicate yourself as a Christ-follower, or as a faithful Christian, to join the fellowship of our church, we encourage you to come forward to speak to our pastor during this closing hymn.

Sending Into God’s World Benediction Postlude

Laura Davis Angels!

James Koerts

(Please put your nametag in the basket provided at either entrance when leaving.)