GREETING:
Jesus Christ is born today!
Alleluia!
HYMN
*OPENING - O Come All Ye Faithful verses 1,2,3,6 El Dorado
*PASSING OF THE PEACE - Through the act of passing the peace of Christ, we offer our sincere desire to love our neighbor.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Be born in our hearing, Lord Jesus, and open our lives to you:
Our Word, our Light, our Life.
Amen.
WORD AND RESPONSE
GOSPEL LESSON: John 1:1-2, NRSV - Rev. Mandy McDow
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
Hymn on “Word” Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Prayers: For the mission of the church, to listen and follow the Word made flesh ...
Gospel Reading John 1:3-5
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Hymn on “Life” Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Prayers: For our social, economic, and political life — to reflect the light of Christ, and build, sustain, and protect life of every kind in our world
Gospel Reading John 1:6-8
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
Hymn on “Witness” It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Prayers: For all who proclaim the gospel, and for ourselves to proclaim Christ faithfully
Gospel Reading John 1:9-11
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.
Hymn on “Unwelcome,” CAROL - In the Bleak Midwinter Laurie Ray & Mandy McDow, vocals & guitar; Wes Goldsberry, violin
Prayers: For all who are left behind, isolated, harmed, or unwelcomed by the world, and for all who are sick
Gospel Reading John 1:12-14
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Hymn on Seeing the Glory Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Reflection: “The Word became flesh and lived among us…”. Rev. Mandy Mcdow
THANKSGIVING AND OFFERING
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.
SENDING FORTH
Hymn “Joy to the World”
Dismissal
We have seen his glory, the glory as of God’s only-begotten, full of grace and truth.
How great our joy! Go forth, and proclaim it!
Thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION Rev. Mandy McDow
Remember:
God is with you,
God is for you,
God refuses to be God without you.
And may all of God’s people say: Amen.
* * *
EL DORADO - SONGS OF THE SEASON
Enjoy the music of our own El Dorado this season here!
Be sure to join us for Sunday worship on FB/YouTube/Twitter and In Person
January 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.
Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
www.LAFirstUMC.org
Creative • Courageous • Compassionate