Preludes “From Heaven Above, I Come”
J. Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Pastorale Flor Peters (1903-1986)
Welcome
Call to Worship Psalm 148
*Hymn On This Day Earth Shall Ring (see note) No. 46
*Unison Prayer of Invocation and New Life
God of light and consolation, we come to you in need of your illumination. God of mercy and compassion, we come to you in need of your grace. God of promise and fulfillment, we come to you in need of your assurance and steadfast love. Shine in our hearts today, to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of Christ. And fill us with your Holy Spirit, so we can reflect your light into the world, in the way of Christ and in his name. Amen.
The Gospel Reflection Luke 2:1-7
Assurance of Incarnation
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to God.
Response in Praise Who Would Think That Was Needed, st. 1,3 Insert
The Gospel We Know Luke 2:8-14
*Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem, st. 1,3,4 No.44
The Gospel Continues Luke 2:41-52
The Meditation
The Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (Our father and mother…trespasses)
*Hymn Go Tell it on the Mountain No. 29
*Benediction
Postlude “In Dulci jubilo”, BWV J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
* Those who are able please stand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bell Ringing as we Gather
During the opening hymn everyone is invited to ring their bells for the refrain of each verse. Celebrate Christ’s birth and let the world hear our joyful noise with robust vigor. Then, if possible, set the bells somewhere stationary (such as on the floor) so they, too, can be prayerful at times.
During this time of covid caution we welcome all
to safe, careful congregational assembly, with masks.
(Except for worship leaders while they are speaking/singing.)
Note that our leaders are vaccinated and boosted.
Cleaning has increased and we welcome your questions.
We have a touch-free offering today
That is, you may leave a gift in the basket,
deliver an envelope after worship, send a gift
via email or online, or any touch-free method you wish
Thanks to worship leaders Wendy Donnell, Ken Baily, Lynd Matt, Natacha Rist – organ, and deacons Jeff Small, Melissa Dietrich, and Yumiko Matsuoka
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
54 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA
www.nhcc.net 617 527 3898