Trinity Presbyterian Church Online Worship Service
for December 27, 2020 – First Sunday of Christmas
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s online worship service!
If you prefer, you can view this service on our Worship Service Player. In the player, the service plays from start to finish without interruption. To try that version of the worship service, click HERE.
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
2024/04/26-16:40:17-UTC 41st ols; 34woc; 8waro
Trinity has returned to Indoor Worship with LIMITED seating at 10AM on Sundays. In addition to limited seating, there are several details you should know before attending. Please read about them in our Guide to Indoor Worship.
Please fill in your 2021 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you need a new pledge card, please contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. Once filled in, they may be turned in to the church or mailed to the church office. May God richly bless our generosity as we return to God a small portion of what He has given to us.
From the Finance Committee: the IRS requires that our financial books for 2020 be closed on December 31. Make sure any monetary offerings are postmarked by December 31 so it will be applied to your 2020 contribution statement. See this week’s bulletin for more information.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
Portions of the liturgy we use in the service are provided by Sanctified Art. Where used, they are identified with a superscript 2 (similar to this2). A copyright acknowledgment is at the bottom of this worship page.
Briefly, a word concerning the technical presentation of this service. If you are having difficulty reading the words, look for your web browser’s “Zoom” settings. The keystrokes are typically ‘Ctrl-Shift-+’ to increase the zoom or ‘Ctrl-Shift-(minus)’ to decrease the zoom. Other devices may have a different mechanism (‘finger pinch’), but most support zoom.
Although you could not be with us in-person today, we hope you will have a meaningful Sunday worship experience!
This week’s bulletin is available at any time by clicking this link. The bulletin will open in a separate tab or window.
The order of service on this page closely follows the bulletin, but there are additional items in the bulletin that may be of interest to you and that are not included on this page.
Today’s service contains:
Preparation for Worship
Prelude “I Love You Lord” with “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Call to Worship
Hymn #147 “The First Nowell”
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Forgiveness
Anthem “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Moments with Children
Affirmation of Faith
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Responsive Reading
Prayer for Illumination
Old Testament Reading
Hymn #145 “What Child Is This”
Gospel Lesson
Meditation “Here He Is!”
Blessing and Charge
Congregational Response (Hymn #306)
Offering
Postlude “Carol of Bells”
Preparation for Worship
Let us join together now and prepare for worship.
Dear Family of God – these are trying days in God’s beloved world. As Christ’s Church, sustained by the Holy Spirit, we have gifts and a call by which to care for one another and our neighbors. Worship in which we encounter our living God and know ourselves connected to the body continues. So this day, even though we worship at a distance, we read the same Scriptures, and share in the same prayers, we are held together on this Sunday morning. Let us prepare our hearts and minds to worship the living Lord.
Prelude “I Love You Lord” with “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Heasuk Che, organist.
arr. Page
Call to Worship
Kay James, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
One: Here on the heels of Christmas, All: We speak of love.
One: We speak of joy. All: We speak of candle light and fireside.
One: We speak of dreams being fulfilled. All: We speak of “glorias” and angel choruses.
One: We speak the words, “Do not be afraid.” All: Here on the heels of Christmas, we are called to speak, for the world needs a light.
One: A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it. All: Let us worship and listen. Then, let us speak. Amen.
Hymn #147 “The First Nowell” (verses 1-4)
Barbara Davis, Carol Corson, Kathy Link, Julie Pearson, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, Lillian Warner, and Bob Wright. Accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che and flutist Jillian Koenig.
English Carol
1 The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
2 They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]
3 And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]
4 This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]
Prayer of Confession
Please join us in our prayer of confession2 …
When I was in seventh grade, my youth pastor asked the group the question,
“Where have you seen God today?”
Thinking that this must be a trick question, I began mentally racing through my day,
trying to imagine what he could possibly mean.
Where had I seen God today? We had spent the day on a hiking trail!
All I had seen were people and nature.
As my panic settled into my gut and I was unable to answer the question,
one of my peers began speaking.
She spoke of the beauty of the sunrise and how the gift of another day felt holy.
Then another friend spoke of the little girl we passed on the trail who had given her a wildflower—
an act of random kindness to a complete stranger.
Another peer mentioned David, who had helped pick Josh up when he slipped in the mud,
showing only genuine concern.
And on and on they went, until I began to see that God was everywhere,
and it was not enough to keep it inside.
Seeing God in your midst is one thing. Speaking it out loud for all to hear, that’s entirely different.
The world needs this good news. We are not called to be silent.
So family of faith, please repeat after me our prayer of confession: God of today and tomorrow,
We know that your fingerprints are all over this world.
And we know that those who dream cannot keep silent.
So today we pray, give us eyes to see you.
Give us courage to trust you.
And give us lips to speak of you in our midst.
Gratefully we pray, Amen. (Silence for Reflection)
Declaration of Forgiveness
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives us all our sins, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Anthem “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Jillian Koenig on the flute accompanied by Heasuk Che. Dedicated to Janet Schaaf.
Bach
Moments with Children
Brooke Tucker, Director of Faith Formation.
Affirmation of Faith
Brooke Tucker, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
One: We believe in telling the story— All: The story of a loving and merciful God, who will not let God’s people go;
The story of a baby who grew up and changed the world; The story of our faith.
One: We believe in speaking up— All: For our neighbors, for the oppressed, for the overlooked and marginalized.
One: We believe in speaking out— All: Against violence, greed, abuse, fear, scarcity mindset, and bigotry.
One: We believe in passing the mic— All: So that we are not the only ones speaking, so that we can lift up the voices of those around us,
so that we too might listen and learn.
One: We believe in the good news of the gospel. All: We believe that this good news is too good to keep to ourselves.
We believe that those who dream cannot keep silent.
One: Speak to us, Holy God. All: Speak through us, Holy God. May it be so, amen.
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 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.
Responsive Reading
Kay James, lay reader.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer for Illumination
Kay James, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
Divine Voice,
In the beginning, it was you who spoke over the water and brought forth creation.
And then it was you who asked, “Cain, where is your brother?”
It was you who spoke to Elijah in a still, small, voice.
And it was you, through angels, who spoke to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds.
You have always been speaking—
In words, in memories, in songs, and in dreams.
So today, as we prepare to hear your word read aloud,
We ask that you would speak to us once again—as only you can—
So that we might speak this same good news to others.
We are listening. We are grateful. Amen.
Old Testament Reading
Kay James, lay reader.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 – The Vindication and Salvation of Zion. Listen for God speaking to you today.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
Isaiah 62:1-3 1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch. 2 The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Hymn #145 “What Child Is This”
Barbara Davis, Carol Corson, Kathy Link, Julie Pearson, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, Lillian Warner, and Bob Wright. Accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che and flutist Jillian Koenig.
Greensleeves
1 What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!
2 Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!
3 So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!
Gospel Lesson
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Luke 2:22-40 – Jesus Is Presented in the Temple and The Return to Nazareth. Listen for God speaking to you today. 22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Meditation “Here He Is!”
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Blessing and Charge
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Congregational Response
Heasuk Che, organist.
Hymn #306
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Offering
Please continue to give your offering.
God calls us to give all of who we are, and all of what we have to be used in and thru the Church. So let us present our lives. Let us present our gifts unto God. Offerings can be received in the church by mail or you may use online banking options.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.
If you’d like to see alternatives to online giving, please take a look at our Contribute page.
Postlude “Carol of Bells”
Heasuk Che, organist.
arr. Smith
The Service has Ended
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
Thank you for joining us online! We hope you will join us again as long as we need to be apart. We pray for the day when we can all meet again and worship God in the sanctuary and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
1 ALL COPYRIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGED
2 Prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org Cover Art: Design by Lauren Wright Pittman; Photography by Lisle Gwynn Garrity
Please fill in your 2021 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you need a new pledge card, please contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. Once filled in, they may be turned in to the church or mailed to the church office. May God richly bless our generosity as we return to God a small portion of what He has given to us.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
separate tab or window.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.