FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
January 1 | 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Chorale Prelude on In Dulci Jubilo
Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694)
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: In our daily tasks,
People: God surrounds us.
Leader: In our successes and failures,
People: God surrounds us.
Leader: In our joys and sorrows,
People: God surrounds us.
Leader: In this hour of prayer,
People: God surrounds us.
All: Thanks be to God!
*Gathering Hymn 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis), verse 1
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;
O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold him, born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Holy and Loving God,
when your light shines, nothing is hidden;
and when your light shines on us,
there is joy in seeing
and honesty in being seen.
Bring us out of hiding,
that we may become children of light,
through Jesus Christ,
the Light of the World. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
143 Angels from the Realms of Glory (Regent Square)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
Ouverture from Suite in D Major
Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1750)
arr. Michel Rondeau
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Holy One,
come to this place
and increase our love for one another
by the reading of your word. Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Ecclesiates 3:1-13 (Pew Bible Page 578)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
About Time
Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehead
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Max Drischner (1891-1971)
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name. If you are visiting, we also invite you to fill out the welcome card in the pew rack and put it in the offering box.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works. A continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. A gluten-free option is offered from the server on the pulpit side of the aisle. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate.
Communion Music
La Grace
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
147 The First Nowell (The First Nowell), verses 1–4
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
Chorale Prelude on In Dulci Jubilo
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
GUEST PREACHER: Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehead
Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehead is a Presbyterian minister, licensed clinical social worker, and certified coach. He is the lead curator at ReFrame an app-based new worshiping community focused on what it looks like to practice our faith on a daily basis.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Co-Pastors’ Forum
January 8 | 9:30-10:30am (Sanctuary)
Come to hear the co-pastors unpack what is happening in the life of the Montview congregation, i.e. what is on the horizon with two searches for new associate pastors, and the upcoming interim co-pastor search process. Other good stuff going on in the congregation will be shared! A time for QA will be offered.
Annual Congregational Meeting
January 29 | 9:30-10:30am (Fellowship Hall)
On January 29 at 9:30am we’ll be holding our annual congregational meeting in Fellowship Hall. During this meeting, we’ll provide church updates and answer questions. Light breakfast will be served. This meeting requires a quorum of the congregation. Mark your calendar and plan to join us on January 29!
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehead
Liturgists: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal and Rev. Ian Cummins
Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Barbara Hulac
Trumpet: Leslie Scarpino
Reader: Kate Williams
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Gretchen Ackermann Moss and the Ackermann family; Sheila Cody; Dave, son-in-law of Nancy and John Thompson; Jenni Hatlem; Craig Maginness, Ellen Reath and family, mourning the death of Craig’s brother, Bob Maginness; Eden and Mac Murphy; Sue Norman, mourning the death of her brother, Robert T. Norman; The people of South Sudan who are facing starvation; Bea Romer; Sue Taylor, sister of Heidi Shriver; Leroy Thompson, brother of Delores Collins; Edith Van Burgel, mother of Nancy Van Burgel; Steve Warnke
Deaths
December 27, 2022 | Jean Carey
INTERESTED IN EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP?
Attend a four-hour Inquirers’ Class where you will connect with the pastors and others interested in membership, and receive answers to your questions. The next class is on February 11 from 8:30am-11:30am and February 12 from 9:30-10:30am. Attending the class is not a commitment to join the church, just a way to discern if membership is right for you at this time. To register for our next class please call our office at 303-355-1651 or email Todd Rembe at todd@montview.org.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org