Mill Plain UMC
Sunday December 31, 2023
Consolation for Us All
Scripture
Luke 2:22-32
Music
Days Of Elijah
Good Christian Now Rejoice
Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful
My Master See the Time Has Come
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
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Mill Plain UMC
December 31, 2023
10 a.m.
Praise Song Days Of Elijah
Greeting
Call to Worship
Worship Assistant: My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all peoples.
People: A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people
Opening Prayer
We come to you today, O God, with the questions of youth and the wisdom of age;
We come to you filled with grief at war and violence, at hunger and hopelessness; we long for peace and do not know how to bring it.
Speak to us, for we are listening. Lead us, we pray, to your salvation. Amen.
Praise Songs Good Christian, Now Rejoice
Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology
Luke 2:22-32
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Hymn My Master, See, The Time Has Come #226
Sermon Consolation for Us All
Prayer
Sometimes, God, our hearts are two sizes too small; we want to have everything for ourselves and resist sharing with others. We doubt your existence and turn away from your love. Thank you for loving us anyway and for opening our eyes to the joy of sharing and the delight of love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem #230
Benediction
Dismiss us now in peace, O God, according to your Word. The love of God, the peace of Jesus Christ, and the Comfort of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.