REDEEMER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
January 1, 2023
New Year’s Day
Processional For the Beauty of the Earth
Invocation: Good morning and welcome!
Bless this community, that in your light we may each become a servant, one to the other.
Bring us together in story, song, joy, and sorrow; and let every daughter and son who comes among us find kinship in this place. Show us your child, O God, for we walk together in love. Have mercy on those among us who journey in sickness, fear, or any kind of trouble.
Meet them on your road with rest, peace, and good cheer.
Call to Worship
L: A new day has dawned, a new year begun
P: O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice
L: The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future
P: O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path
L: We enter this New Year with hope and excitement
All: O Lord, remind us that You lead us
O Lord, guide us as [we] look to You and worship You. Amen.
Words of Welcome and Parish News:
*Gathering Hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past 117 UMH
Silent meditation and prayer:
Prayer Focus: New Vision
Scripture Readings:
Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Philippians 2:1-13
2If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Music
The Message “A New Year” Rev. Marshall Murphy Jr.
A New Year has arrived and there is great expectations flowing in the atmosphere. We look to the Lord to guide our steps and keep that Light surrounding us. Philippians 2: 1-2, &5 places our hearts in a direction toward our Savior. “2If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete:” Make my joy complete is a statement that needs to be unpacked. How is our joy made complete? Then there is verse 5: “5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”
When we take some time to think about Christ we think about his power, glory, guidance, truth, and servant hood. But aren’t you curious about what Jesus was thinking about while he was in the flesh and what he’s thinking about right now? I bring this up because of the words: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ”. It may be more plausible to say act like Christ, but saying think like Christ. I pray that this New Year is happy for you. I pray that you continue to build a powerful relationship with God. Friends, our God has poured out grace upon grace,
freely, in great abundance, even on you, even on me. The New Year often brings many reflections and memories of family, friends and life experiences. Your journey with the Living God is a powerful source to strive toward in the New Year. What did the Advent season bring into your heart through the streams of hope, peace, joy and love? Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” I pray in this New Year your relationship is strengthened with our Lord and Savior. I pray you have consolation in your spirit for the journey into this year.
Offertory Prayer: God of glorious surprises: Like the wise men sent by Herod, we, too, come as searchers for a glimpse of your presence. As were the people in those days, we are surprised that we find you not in a palace but in a stable, surrounded by a family of poor refugees and worshiped by the lowly shepherds.
Offertory Music Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
*Doxology: UMH 95
*Unison Prayer of Dedication: Use our gifts for the work of justice, mercy, and compassion—as would befit the Savior who sleeps in a manger. It’s in His holy name, we pray. Amen.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion (Symbolic Service) UMH page 15
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, for ever and ever. Amen.
*Closing Hymn: Hymn of Promise 707 UMH
Sending Forth
You are each precious in God’s sight.
We go from this place, claiming our identity as children of God.
God has called you by name.
We go into the world to answer God’s call. Alleluia!
Recessional How Great Thou Art / How Great is Our God
(Please remain seated to meditate and reflect on the music)