Holy Communion
First Sabbath After Epiphany
11:00 a.m. January 7, 2001
Assemble in God's Name
Organ Prelude:
Choral Introit:
s Hymnbook: "We Three Kings of Orient Are" #176
s Passing the Peace
Concerns of the Church
Call to Worship (I John 4:16)
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.Leader: God is Love.
People: And those who abide in love abide in God,
Leader: And God abides in them
Opening Prayer
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Risen Savior, you call us to your table of grace to enjoy your presence, but we dare not come to the table with dirty hands and sin-stained hearts. Only your forgiveness can make us clean within. We confess we have edged you to the fringes of our lives as we have become occupied with countless so-called "urgent" matters. We confess we have fooled ourselves into believing we are too busy to pray and too exhausted to serve. We have devised clever justifications for ignoring the poor and avoiding those in despair.
Forgive us, dear Lord. Help us order our days and our deeds according to your will. Grant us pardon, and comfort us with the assurance of your Spirit. Then shall we be free to celebrate your feast of love with the saints of this and every time and place. Amen.
Declaration of Forgiveness
Leader: Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. (Rom 8:34)
People: So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (II Cor. 5:17)
s Gloria Patri: #546
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
s Doxology #544
Proclaim God's Word
Children's Sermon: "Seashells"
Dismissal to Children’s Church (8 and Under)
Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7
Anthem:
Sermon: "Chair Comfort"
The Eucharist
s The Nicene Creed p.12
s Hymnbook: "As With Gladness Men of Old" #174 (Stanza 1)
Preparation of the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving
ALL: 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.
The Lord's Prayer
Communion of the People
Go In God's Name
s Hymnbook: "As with Gladness Men of Old"… #174
(Stanza 4)
s Charge and Blessing
Postlude:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
It’s a time for new beginnings! We welcome you to this time of worship. Together, let us begin a new period of growth as we are led by God’s Spirit.
Bible Study: We are beginning the study of II Kings on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
There will be a joint meeting of the Session and Diaconate next Sabbath, January 14, at 7:00 p.m.
The York Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Men’s Fellowship meets January 21. This is an 8:00 a.m. breakfast meeting.
Willie Yarbrough is in Piedmont Hospital. Sid Whitesides had outpatient surgery this week. Please remember these and all our sick and shut-ins in your prayers.
Today is the first Sabbath in Epiphany. Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning appearance, and celebrates the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child. The Liturgical color for the day of Epiphany is white. The color for the season of Epiphany is green.
If you have questions or comments, email Tony Grant
Copyright 2000 York Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Last modified 01/16/01