†CALL TO WORSHIP:                                                                                                
One: On this second Sunday of Christmas, we celebrate the Word of God become flesh: Jesus Christ.
All: In Jesus, we find life: abundant and fulfilling. We receive the gift of life through Jesus, which death and darkness cannot overcome.
One: The light of Jesus shines and overcomes the darkness.
All: The darkness- its despair, chaos and emptiness- cannot defeat the light and love of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
†OPENING HYMN: Blue # 40          “Joy to the World!”
CALL TO CONFESSION:                      
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:                                                                          
God of grace and truth, our loving Creator, in Jesus Christ you came among us to bring light into the darkness, healing to our wounds, peace to our world, and hope to our despair. Our sins are both hidden and so obvious; our own guilt is undeniable though we try our best to deny it. Your light, may it bring comfort to our afflictions, relief to our hungering or wholeness, and peace to our turmoil. Forgive us, renew us, and set us on the path that shines the light of mercy and hope for others. Hear us now as we confess our sins in silence.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: In Jesus’ name, Amen
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS:
†PASSING OF THE PEACE:
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Blue# 579     “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN:
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Speak your Word, O Lord. Hearing it, receiving it, adopting it, may we find new vitality, meaning, and direction, as we follow Jesus, the Word become flesh. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Jeremiah 31: 7-14     John 1: 10-18
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:                                  “The January Shimmer”                       Rev. Ray Thomas
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Colossians 1: 15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross.
SPECIAL MUSIC:                
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING:                  
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER:
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER†CLOSING HYMN: Blue : #44             “ O Little Town of Bethlehem”
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
†BENEDICTION:                  
†MUSICAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING:        “Emmanuel”