Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

11:00 AM Worship                               Christmas Day                             25 December 2011

 

GATHERING

   Love Came Down at Christmas                                                                                L. Smith

 

GREETING AND WELCOME                                                                                                

 

*INTROIT                                                                                                                                  

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

   Do not be afraid;

   for see—I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all the people:

   to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

   who is the Messiah, the Lord.

 

*HYMN  UMH 224

   Good Christian Friends, Rejoice                                                                        In Dulci Jubilo

 

PRAYER  in unison

   We bless you, Abba, Father,

   for you have visited your people

   in one like us in all things but sin,

   and in human fragility you have revealed

   the face of divinity.

   Gather into your arms

   all the peoples of the world,

   so that in your embrace

   we may find blessing, peace,

   and the fullness of our inheritance

   as your daughters and sons.  Amen.

    

ANTHEM

   Boy Child of Mary                                                                                                  H. Hopson

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

 

FIRST READING

   Isaiah 52:7-10

  

SECOND READING

   John 1:1-14

 

   The Word of the Lord.

   Thanks be to God.

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  UMH 880

   The Nicene Creed

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

SERMON

   The House of Bread

 

HYMN  UMH 230

   O Little Town of Bethlehem                                                                                        St. Louis

 

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

PASTORAL PRAYER

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER  in unison

    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.

 

*THE PEACE

 

OFFERING

   Bethlehem Town                                                                                                   D. Scarlatti

 

*DOXOLOGY  UMH 95

 

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

   What can I give you, poor as I am?

   If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

   if I were a wise man, I would do my part;

   yet what can I give you:

   give my heart.

 

*HYMN  UMH 238

   Angels We Have Heard on High                                                                                   Gloria

 

*BENEDICTION                                                                                                                       

   The joy of the angels,

   the eagerness of the shepherds,

   the perseverance of the Magi,

   the obedience of Joseph and Mary,

   and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas.

   And the blessing of God almighty,

   the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit,

   be upon you and remain with you always. 

   Amen.

 

*GOING FORTH

   An Acclamation of Joy                                                                                            D. Paxton

 

*Those who are able are invited to stand.