Prelude - Jeff Perks Welcome - Rev. Dana Seiler Call to Worship - Pam Conrad Leader: We are at the end of the year; a time for reflection. People: This is a time of renewal and new life. Leader: When the world begins to dream for the future, People: Where we bring with us the echoes of angels. Leader: We enter this new year with hope and excitement, People: Seeking new life shaped by the love of Jesus Christ. Leader: Let us celebrate who we are and who we are yet to be. People: Come, let us be together in worship. Hymn - “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” - #150 - 3 Verses Prayer of Confession: God of Possibilities, we come here today excited to begin a new year. The old year is on its way out, and with it we hope to leave some habits, some worries, and some doubts. We want to live as Christians who are shaped by the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit; yet we know that in a few weeks, the newness of the year will wear off and the old habits and worries will slowly return. Help us to remain people of the light, even when the darkness threatens to overcome us. We pray all this in the name of Jesus, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace Children’s Message Anthem Hymns and Stories It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - #38, Verses 1 & 2 What a Friend We Have in Jesus - Verses 1 & 3 Just As I Am - #370, Verses 1, 2, & 3 Joy to the World - #40, Verses 1, 2, & 4 Offering and Prayer of Thanksgiving Doxology Affirmation of Faith by Rev. Stephen M. Fearing: We believe that God has come to us as a little child, making our weakness his strength, securing our salvation by becoming one of us, blessing us with unending love, filling our hearts with joy to be shared with one another. We believe that God has birthed righteousness into the world, giving us a law that will be written upon our hearts, making the cause of the oppressed the highest priority, declaring an everlasting reign of peace, and defeating the power of pain and suffering. We believe that God calls us to participate in this reality of love, inviting us to proclaim Christ’s resurrection to others, transforming us as disciples to go out into the world, sending us forth to announce his kingdom of peace and comfort, challenging us to see everyone as nothing less than beloved children. This we believe. Closing Hymn - “The First Nowell” - #31 - 3 Verses Benediction Postlude