December 30, 2018
First Sunday After Christmas
Prelude
Hymn: #136 Go Tell it on the Mountain
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Call to Worship:
One: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God called forth light from the darkness.
All: God said, “It is good!”
One: In the beginning God created the clouds and rain and air that we breathe.
All: God said, “It is good!”
One: In the beginning God created th earth and all the water upon the earth, and all plants and vegetation.
All: God said, “It is good!”
One: In the beginning God created the moon and the stars and the sun, to mark our days and nights and tides.
All: God said, “It is good!”
One: In the beginning God created the birds of the air and the creatures of the sea, blessing them.
All: God said, “It is good!”
One: In the beginning God created all of the animals on the earth, including us human beings, and God
blessed them and us.
All: God said, “It is good!”
One: From the beginning, God has called us to care for all of creation to bless it, to help the earth bring forth
life, to keep our water and air clean, so that life can continue to thrive.
All: Let us fulfill God’s call to keep creation good, to bless and grow. Let us worship our Creator God![i]
Opening Prayer (in unison)
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Let us pray.
God, you are Love: You formed us in our mother’s womb and brought us to this hour. Join us together in a fellowship of compassion and justice, rejoicing with those who are honored, suffering with those who have lost so much. May the gifts You have given us be activated for the good of all people and all creation. Embrace us in Your creating, redeeming love. May we live what You have made us to be: Your eyes that see what You see; Your ears that hear what You hear; Your feet that carry us to places most in need; Your hands that work for healing, justice and reconciliation; and hearts on fire with Your Love for each blessed person and each creature You have made. Amen.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
God has already forgiven us. When we are truly sorry and repent of our neglect and our wrongful thoughts and deeds, we are able to accept that forgiveness. God offers healing for our brokenness. The scars of resentment against others are taken away so we can forgive them. The love of God enables us to love. Praise God from the earth. Draw close to the eternal and exalt the name of the one who rules all time and space.
Anthem: Cold Nights in Canada – John Denver Charlie Noyes
Litany:
One: Light and Darkness, night and day.
All: We marvel at the mystery of the stars.
One: Moon and sky, sand and sea.
All: We marvel at the mystery of the sun.
One: Twilight, high noon, dusk and dawn.
All: Though we are mortal, we are Creation’s crown.
One: Flesh and bone, steel and stone.
All: We dwell in fragile, temporary shelters.
One: Grant steadfast love, compassion, grace.
All: Sustain us, God; our origin is dust.
One: Splendor, mercy, majesty, love endure.
All: We are but little lower than the angels.
One: Resplendent skies, sunset, sunrise.
All: The grandeur of Creation lifts our lives.
One: Evening darkness, morning dawn.
All: Renew our lives as You renew all time.[ii]
Responsive Reading – Psalm 148
(Page 716 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Offering of our Gifts
Doxology
Prayer
Hymn #142 T’was in the Moon of Wintertime
Reflection
Haudenosaunee Address ~ Giving Thanks to the Natural World ~ Insert
Closing Hymn: #134 Joy to the World
The Deacons would like to thank Barbara Collins and Charlie Noyes for their musical contributions and the Rev. Diane Mont-Catania for the document upon which we based this service.
Prayer List
- Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Laura Hawks, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard.
The family & friends of: John Arnold, Jack Ritchie, Fred Palmer, Harriet Hoffman, Scott Miller.
CALENDAR
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge Club
Tuesday: Office Closed ~ New Year’s
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Sunday: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
OPPORTUNITIES
ANNUAL APPEAL
Please mail in your pledge card or drop it in the offering plate during Worship. If you need a new card you can pick one up at the church. You can also pledge online.
HONORING PASTOR DIANE
On Sunday, January 13th, after church service, we will be celebrating Pastor Diane’s many accomplishments and years of service as our pastor.
A potluck meal will be served immediately following worship. All are welcome to contribute a lunch or brunch dish to share (just a regular size recipe, no need to double!) You may drop off your dishes at the kitchen beginning on Saturday and until right before service on Sunday. Please contact Cynthia LaPier with any questions concerning the meal: [email protected].
Sunday School, Youth Group, and young folks who have “grown up” during Diane’s time at SCC, are encouraged to participate in a tribute to Diane during the potluck that will involve singing. No rehearsal is necessary. Please contact Barbara Collins for more information: [email protected].
Written (hard copy) Tributes are being collected to present to Diane. Tributes can be memories, wishes, hopes….and must be in hard copy – no emails please! Tributes can be dropped off at the office during office hours. If you prefer, you can mail your hard copy, written tribute to the church, c/o Melissa Adam, Tributes, Remember, NO Emails please! If you have questions, please contact Lorna Edmundson for more information.