January 3, 2021 - Wesley United Methodist Church
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January 3, 2021
Gretchen Nelson, Pastor Jerry Sowers, Minister of Music
Sylvia Krisnow, Secretary Cynthia Campbell, Accompanist
Members of Wesley, Ministers
The Vision of Wesley United Methodist Church is to serve
all people with the love of Jesus Christ.Order of Worship – 10:00 A.M. Service
Gather and Spend Time with God Together
Preparing your home for Worship
Create a space that brings reminders of God's presence and love.
Candle. Colorful flowers. Nativity. Bible. Make it a joyful and
prayerful place. Ask everyone in your home for suggestions. Before
the gathering time: play music, turn off devices not used for worship,
start to pay attention to your breath as a gift from God Pray.
Worshiping together as house churches in the model of Acts 2:46-47.
Welcome and Orientation
Centering our attention on God’s Holy Presence with our breath
and senses.
Gathering Centering Music
Let the music fill your hearts and spirits becoming aware of
God welcoming you in love.
Call to Worship
One: We gather:
Many: a community of faith in God’s subversive world.
One: We gather to celebrate
Many: that no darkness can extinguish light,
One: to remember
Many: that love will always be more powerful than death,
One: and to trust that
Many: peace will always be stronger than violence.
One: We gather,
Many: people of faith in the light of God’s world.
ALL: Welcome to worship.
Opening Prayer
Lord of yesterday, today and tomorrow,
we gather here this first Sunday of the New Year,
in a mixture of hope, anticipation, fear, excitement, and
expectation.
We do not know what the year holds for us.
there are things we are afraid of: worries about health
and family, job security and finances.
There is much to look forward to –
weddings or anniversaries or baptisms,
holidays to enjoy,
friends to laugh with.
2Lord God,
the coming year is full of uncertainty and hope.
Whatever the year holds for us, though,
we trust You, and we place every day of this year in your
care knowing that, as in the past, You are with us,
caring for us with constant love.
And so Lord, we place ourselves into your keeping
and dedicate our lives to your service
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Saviour. Amen.
Opening Carol “The First Noel” UMH 245
1. The first Noel the angels did 4. This star drew nigh to the
say; Was to certain poor northwest; O'er Bethlehem it
shepards in fields as they lay: In took its rest And there it did
fields where they lay keeping both stop and stay right o'er the
their sheep On a cold winter's place where Jesus lay.
night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!
Born is the King of Israel!
5. Then entered in those Wise
2. They looked up and saw a star
men three; Fell reverently upon
Shining in the east beyond them
their knee and offered there in
far And to the earth it gave great
His presence Their gold and
light And so it continued both
myrrh and frankincense.
day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Born is the King of Israel!
3. And by the light of that same
star Three Wise men came from
country far; To seek for a King
was their intent And to follow
the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Glory Sightings
Witness to God’s faithfulness and love in the world. You are invited
to share where have you witnessed good news. Raise a hand,
write in the Facebook Comments, add into Zoom Chat.
Proclamation and Response
First Testament Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
3Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Psalter Psalm 72 UMH 795-796
1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, til the moon be no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
411 May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him.
12 For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him.
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may they blossom forth in the cities
like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long
as the sun. May people bless themselves by him;
all nations call him blessed.
Carol of Praise “Sing We Now of Christmas” UMH 237
1 Sing we now of Christmas, 3 In Bethlehem they found him;
Noel, sing we here! Joseph and Mary mild,
Hear our grateful praises seated by the manger,
to the babe so dear. watching the holy child.
[Refrain]
Refrain:
Sing we Noel, the King is 4 From the eastern country
born, Noel! came the kings afar,
Sing we now of Christmas, bearing gifts to Bethlehem
sing we now Noel! guided by a star. [Refrain]
2 Angels called to shepherds, 5 Gold and myrrh they took
"Leave your flocks at rest, there, gifts of greatest price;
journey forth to Bethlehem, there was never a stable
find the child so blessed." so like paradise. [Refrain]
[Refrain]
Epistle Reading Ephesians 3:1-12
3 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the
sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the
commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the
mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a
5few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my
understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this
mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been
revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the
Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and
sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s
grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am
the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to
the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make
everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God
who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of
God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the
eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in
whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through
faith in him.
Gospel Reading Matthew 2:1-12
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where
is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King
Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with
him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the
people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They
told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the
prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them
the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when
you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay
him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and
there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,
until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw
that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On
entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and
they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure
chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And
having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for
their own country by another road.
2Special Music “Take Time” Avery/Marsh
Meditation Living the Celebration Pastor Gretchen Nelson
Covenant Response Wesley Covenant Prayer UMH 607
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Responsive Carol “Carol of the Epiphany” FWS 2094
“I sought him dressed in finest clothes,
where money talks and status grows;
but power and wealth he never chose:
it seemed he lived in poverty.”
I sought him in the safest place,
Remote from crime or cheap disgrace;
But safety never knew his face;
It seemed he lived in jeopardy.
I sought him where the spotlights glare,
Where crowds collect and critics stare;
But no one knew his presence there;
It seemed he lived in obscurity.
Then in the streets, we heard the word
That seemed, for all the world, absurd;
That those who could no gifts afford
Were entertaining Christ the Lord.
And so, distinct from all we’d planned,
Among the poorest of the land,
We did what few might understand;
We touched God in a baby’s hand.
3Break Open our Hearts with Prayer As we share in prayer today you are encouraged to pray aloud your joys and concerns. Complete your prayer with "Lord, in your mercy" and all the people respond "Hear our prayer". (You are invited to write your prayers in the Chat or Comment feed. Also please email them to the church office so the Prayer Team may continue to pray with you during the week). The Lord’s Prayer 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. Invitation to Christ’s Table Confession and Assurance Pastor: Friends, as we gather our thoughts into quietness, ALL: we confess our sins to the One who knows us best. We know ourselves chosen, adopted as children of God. We dare to believe that you and I are part of a plan conceived before the foundation of the universe. But are we living as God’s children? Are we honouring our inheritance? We know ourselves called, but we’re so easily distracted. We know ourselves loved, but we balk at the cost. Come, friends, let us confess our sins to the Lord. (silence) Pastor: Friends, our God has poured out grace upon grace, freely, in great abundance, even on you, even on me. though we never earned it and don’t deserve it. ALL: In Christ we are made new through his blood; all your sins and mine crumble away. In Christ we are forgiven, signed with the Spirit, lavished with gift upon gift, released into hope to live for praise and for glory. Amen. Sharing Christ’s Peace During this season of Spatial Distancing, practicing Christ's Peace is an witness of God's shalom. Cross your arms or press hands together at your heart, bow to your companion while keep eye contact. Offer this is similar greeting "The Christ in me greets the Christ in you. Abundant peace." Use your social media and phones to send Christ's peace into the world.
Offering
Giving is a spiritual practice of our faith. Sharing God's Good News
through mission and ministry continue even as we are physically
separate. Keep your covenant tithe, pledge, and offering with God.
Consider healthy ways to be in service with your gifts and skills.
Musical Offering
During this musical act of praise, you are encouraged to praise God
with your gifts. Wherever you are – lift up your hands, sway, dance,
let the spirit of God move you (on screen or off).
Thanksgiving and Communion
The Great Thanksgiving
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and
everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven
and earth. You have made from one every nation and people
to live on all the face of the earth.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
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.
Pastor: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.
By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin
and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the
Spirit. He commissioned us to be his witnesses to the ends of the
earth and to make disciples of all nations, and today his family in
all the world is joining at his holy table.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread,
gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and
said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
When the supper was over he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
2"Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
ALL: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come
again.
Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the
body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of
Christ, redeemed by his blood.
Pastor: By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly
banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in
your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now
and for ever.
ALL: Amen.
Sharing and Receiving the Bread and Cup
Praise God
Carol of Proclamation “We Three Kings” UMH 254
1 We three kings of Orient are; 3 Frankincense to offer have I;
bearing gifts we traverse afar, incense owns a Deity nigh;
field and fountain, moor and prayer and praising, voices raising,
mountain, following yonder star. worshiping God on high.
Refrain: [Refrain]
O star of wonder, star of light,
4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
star with royal beauty bright,
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
westward leading, still
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding,
proceeding,
dying, sealed in the stone-cold
guide us to thy perfect light.
tomb. [Refrain]
2 Born a King on Bethlehem's
5 Glorious now behold him arise;
plain, gold I bring to crown him
King and God and sacrifice:
again, King forever, ceasing never,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
over us all to reign. [Refrain]
sounds through the earth and
skies. [Refrain]
3Blessing
The Word has become flesh and dwelt among us. Let Christ’s light
shine in the darkest corner of your life. Let Christ’s love shine in the
darkest corners of our world. God is with us. Alleluia. Amen.
Prayers and liturgies today can be found:Cheryl Lawrie,
holdthisspace.org.au/;Rev. Ian Elston,
www.churchofscotland.org.uk;
www.conversations.net.nz/ephesians-worship-resources; Ruth
Duck, Bread for the Journey, Pilgrim Press, 1981, p.26.
All music used within CCLI#752546
Remember in our Prayers
Concerns: Dale and Kathy Stumpf, Helen Cope, Dave and Nancy
Bisacre, Mike Mee, Baby Noah, Mike Nelson, Pastor Gretchen, Bob
and Bonnie, Patty Bumgarner, Sheree, Crystal Radford, Tommy, Ron,
Carol Beard, Marty Ammerman, Joann Walsh, Cameron Glandon,
Michael Dunkailo, Grace Burnell, Dianna, Bruce and Shanon,
Camden, Dylan, Freta Lamb, Joella, Joseph Gilday, Abby, Amber
Stinson, Bill Mee, Zach Perkins, Caleb Coates, Ernie and Carolyn
Taylor, Lynnette Scalzi, Zeb Cope, Nancy Bellan, Ray Krisnow,
Ramona Gemeinhart, Pete Stone, Karen Bowers, Janice Crumpton,
Jeff Birdsall, Kevin Lykins, Joe Ames, Nina Winfree, Barbara Greene,
Ben Stanley, Susan Nichols, Jo and Buddy Carlisle.
Other Concerns: All teachers and students returning to the classroom,
the Coronavirus, the tragedies occurring in our country
and around the world; police officers and first responders; all who are
grieving; our seniors; our church and the entire United Methodist
Church; recovery from addiction; young adults needing a closer walk
with Christ; those awaiting test results; healing for those in pain.
Nation and World: Our nation, leaders, military, deployed troops and
their families.
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: Egypt Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Taiwan
Birthdays/Anniversaries: 01/03 Ralph Scalzi; 01/06 Lynnette
Scalzi; 01/09 Skip Saylor
We at Wesley are glad you are here and invite you to worship
with us often. If you are looking for a church home, we invite you
to consider Wesley. Pastor Gretchen would be happy to talk with
you about it.
AnnouncementsCounters for January
Jan 3 and 10 – Clyde Gumbert/Zach Eitzen
Jan 7 and 24 – Pat Fitzgerald/Helen Cope
January 31 – Mary Saylor/Amy Stanley
Blessings to you all these 12 days of Christmas. May the wonder
of the manger bear love into every moment and every corner of your
life. May the love of God's incarnation fill your home hopeful joy.
Mike and I extend our deep gratitude for your dear care of us
throughout our COVID illness. Your prayers, calls, serenades,
deliveries, meals, cards, notes, and love were a sustaining grace. You
are the light of God's love. Thank you!!! - Pastor Gretchen
H.E.L.P. Food Pantry: Thank you for your continued donations to
the H.E.L.P. Food Pantry. They are grateful for all nonperishable food.
Current needs are: cereal, fruit cups and/or canned fruit. Donations
are delivered monthly. Contact person: Sherry Moore
The Fourth Quarter Giving Statements will be on the
Information Counter next to the Sanctuary during the month of
January. You can see your giving statements online at
https://onrealm.org/WesleyUnitedMet/SignIn or pick yours up during
Church office hours (Monday-Thursday from 9 AM to 12 Noon—but
call first to be sure Sylvia is there, 838-3044). If you want me to mail
or email your statement to you, just let me know. Statements still at
Church on January 28th will be mailed. Kathann Montague, Financial
Secretary, 757-722-8744, kdm8989@cox.net.
Scriptures for January 10: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29;
Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11
Week of 3 January 2021
Sun. 03 10:00 AM Live Stream Worship Service – Zoom or Facebook
Mon. 04
Tues. 05
Wed. 06
Thurs. 07
Fri. 08
Sun. 10 10:00 AM Live Stream Worship Service – Zoom or Facebook
December 24 December 27
CHURCH ATTENDANCE 39 on Zoom 38 on Zoom
34 on Facebook 31 on Facebook
OFFERING: Received: $2,366.00 Needed each week: $4,876.00
Secretary Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Phone: 757-838-3044 Fax: 757-838-1663
Address: 2510 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton VA 23666-1506
Pastor Gretchen Nelson: Cell Phone 804-896-6785
email: gretchennelson@vaumc.org
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