Second Sunday after Christmas 2022

Thanks we give and adoration

For the gospel’s joyful sound;

May the fruits of your salvation

In our hearts and lives abound.

May your presence, May your presence,

With us evermore be found.

Lord Jesus, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever, your throne is established in righteousness, your compassion fails not, and your love endures from generation to generation. Lift the light of your countenance upon us, for we are exiles as our ancestors were. We thank you for all the ways by which you have led us in the past. Give us courage to set our faces toward the future.

Ev’ry day will be the brighter
when your gracious face we view
ev’ry burden will be lighter
when we know it comes from you.
Spread your love’s broad banner o’er us;
give us strength to serve and wait,
till the glory breaks before us
through the city’s open gate.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all God’s benefits,

Who forgives your iniquity, who heals your diseases, Who satisfies you with good as long as you live, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Let us in penitence and humility confess our sins before the throne of grace, praying together.

God of mercy, as we mark this moment, we confess our weaknesses, failures, and transgressions
Our broken vows,
Our slackness and misuse of time and opportunity,
Our selfishness and our love of ease,
Our unkindness and indifference,
Our self-indulgence and our pleasures taken at the expense of others,
Our moments when we have not been true to ourselves,
Our lack of faith in your providence.
For these sins of commission and omission, have mercy upon us.
Lord Jesus Christ, we remember in your presence our losses and griefs, our hopes and treasures which the departing year has carried away, the disappointments we have known, the friends who are no longer with us and whose steps we shall hear no more. We pray for grace to cherish the spirit which brings good out of evil, and which prevents adversities and sorrows from embittering our hearts. Give us comfort and a deep sense of your goodness in every circumstance of life; and when, despite our good intentions, we fail, be our strength and stay.

Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

Watchword for the Week:

God has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ.
Ephesians 1:9

Watchword for Today:

See now that I, even I, am he; there is no god beside me. I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and no one can deliver from my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39

Doctrinal Text

If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8

Prayer for Today

What have we to fear? Our lives are tethered to your heart, O Christ, our friend and redeemer. May we remain in the knowledge of your presence and your grace, so that all our living may be for you.
AMEN

Congregation Watchword for the Year

Serve God with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind

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