Order of Worship
December 29 2025
10:00 AM
First Sunday after Christmas, Year C
Prelude: “Be Still” Ashley Grote, “What Child Is This” James Biery
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.
Introit: “Of the Father’s Son Begotten” Divinum Mysterium
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: Like Joseph and Mary, we want to protect the child Jesus.
People: We want him to be safe and sound.
Leader: And when something unexpected happens, we are frightened.
People: We wonder what we should have done differently.
Leader: Triune God, on this day, helps us to remember that you are always present with us.
People: Let us trust God’s loving presence as we grow in our faith. AMEN.
*Gathering Hymn: “Awake! Awake, And Greet the New Morn” #138
Prayer of Invocation: Loving God, we come into your presence with joy in this holy season. But we also come with sorrow for a world struggling in pain. Bring hope to our weary world. Bring love to our hearts. Bring joy to our lives. Help us bring hope, love, and joy, as we follow your Beloved, Christ Jesus. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: (Unison) Our Father, who is 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 Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
STATEMENT OF FAITH: (Unison) We believe in God, known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*Sermon Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City” #165
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Sermon Title: “Panic in a Parent’s Heart” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service if you like.)
CALL TO PRAYER: Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer:
Choral Response: “Carol of Bells” Mark Hayes
Offertory Invitation: Generous God, thank you for the gift of Christ Jesus
in our lives and in our world. Thank you for the gifts we return to you now.
Bless these gifts, that they may support Christ’s loving presence in our ministry, in our community, and in our world. Amen.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “Into My Heart” Harry Clarke
*Doxology (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication: (Unison) God is with us each day, offering so many blessings. We have brought our gifts in whatever from we can in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Loving God, bless these gifts and the lives that these gifts represent. We ask this in the name of your Beloved Child Jesus Christ. AMEN.
*Closing Hymn: “Oh God of Love, O God of Peace” #676
*Benediction: May the work of Christmas continue with us. May the work of discipleship guide our lives. May the gifts of mercy and grace flow through us. May praise and joy strengthen our journey. May Christ light the way. Amen
Postlude: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Arr. Douglass