EMMANUEL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1306 Michigan Street Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Office Phone: 235-8340 Email: emmanuel@ntd.net
emmanueluccoshkosh.org

First Sunday After Christmas/New Year’s Day January 1, 2012

9:00am Worship
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Emmanuel – “God with us.” It’s more than the name of our church ...It’s a statement of faith and a reminder of God’s promise.
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PRELUDE “Once in Royal David’s City” -Carlos Staszeski

WELCOME, GREETINGS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

*CALL TO WORSHIP
Today old dreams die and new dreams come to life.
WITH THE NEW YEAR COMES NEW BEGINNINGS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
The birth of Christ has called us to something special, something new.
SIMEON THE SINGER AND ANNA THE PROPHET HOPED FOR MANY YEARS TO SEE THE MESSIAH AND RECOGNIZED HIM IN A POOR COUPLE’S BABY.
How then shall we respond to the Christ’s promised coming?
WITH WILLINGNESS FOR CHANGE, WITH SILENCE AND SINGING, WITH THE ABILITY TO SEE CHRIST IN THE LEAST LIKELY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
Let our worship this day be the sign of our new beginning in Christ.

*HYMN “O Thou Joyful” #113 (3 vs.)

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Responsively)
Eternal God, who can make all things new, we humbly bring before you the record of our lives in the year just past.
WHERE LIFE HAS BEEN GOOD TO US, DO NOT LET US TAKE MORE CREDIT THAN WE DESERVE.
Where we have been good to others, help us to forget all thoughts of honor or reward.
WHERE WE HAVE FALLEN SHORT, FORGIVE US AND FREE US FROM BROODING OVER WHAT IS PAST.
Cleanse us by your mercy, guide us by your truth, fill us with your love, and lead us forward in your all conquering hope.
WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

A TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

EPISTLE LESSON Galatians 4:4-7 (pg. 947)

PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:22-40 (pg. 833)

HYMN “Once in Royal David’s City” #104 (3 vs.)

MEDITATION

OFFERING “What Is This Lovely Fragrance?” -Paul Manz

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
ALMIGHTY GOD, WE PRAISE YOU FOR THE MANY WAYS YOU BLESS US. IN RESPONSE TO THE GREAT GIFT OF CHRIST, WE OFFER THESE GIFTS TO YOU. BLESS US AS YOU BLESS OUR OFFERINGS. MAY OUR GIFTS OF THIS NEW YEAR REPRESENT A NEW SPIRIT OF JOYOUS SHARING. IN JESUS’ NAME WE PRAY. AMEN.

*HYMN “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” #92 (3 vs.)

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice!” -Paul Manz
(*All who are able, please stand)

Music copied with permission under license #L17031 LicenSing Online.
Worship leaders: Minister: Rev. Annette Wolf
Music Director: Mary Bruce-Dinkins Thurs. pianist: Cheri Pommerening
Media Coordinator: Jeff Pommerening Chime Choir: Lisa Keuler
Videographer: Cory Schultz

Thank you very much to Peter Smith for leading us in worship today!