Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship

December 27, 2009

Pastors:  Anita Kehr and Dan Schrock

Phone:  (574) 534-2398           e-mail: 

Web-Site:  www.berkeyavenue.org

Christmas 1:

Let all creation praise God!

Prelude

Lighting the God candle        Quinn Brenneman, Matthew Williams

      O come, all ye faithful (HWB 212)

Call to Worship (Psalm 148; 1 Samuel 1:18-20, 26) 

      Leader:      We who lived in the shadows have seen a great light! 

                       Let us come to worship our Lord!

      People:      Glory from the heavens embraces creation,

                       like a mother’s arms holding a newborn baby.

                       Sun, moon and stars proclaim God’s salvation. 

                       Let our hearts give thanks, our spirits sing,

                       and our hands rejoice! 

                       Enter God’s presence, and be reborn!

      Leader:      Lord God, we adore you. 

                       We rejoice at your birth and respond by living out your word.

      All:             Gracious Sustainer,

                       we bow in awe before your unwavering support,

                       always there to hold us up.

                       Amen.

Opening Prayer

Music

       To us a Child of hope is born (HWB 189)

       Love came down at Christmas (HWB 208)

       Angels we have heard on high (HWB 197)

Candle Lighting                                                          Wenger Family

Music

      Joy to the world (HWB 318)

      Good Christian friends, rejoice (HWB 210)

Children’s Time                                                                 Beth Berry

Scripture Reading:   Luke 2:41-52                            Andrew Snyder

Sermon: "Releasing the Mission"                                 Dan Schrock

Silence

Song:   One is the body (STJ 72)

Communion

     Prayer of Confession   (HWB 691)

     Music of Celebration                                 Terri Plank Brenneman

Litany of Response

     People:        Praise the Lord!

     Men:           Praise the Lord from the heavens;

                        Praise him in the heights!

     Seniors:       Praise him, all his angels;

                        praise him, all his host!

     Children:     Praise him, sun and moon;

                        praise him, all you shining stars!

     Women:      Praise him, you highest heavens,

                        and you waters above the heavens!

     Men:           Let them praise the name of the Lord,

                        for he commanded and they were created.

                        He established them for ever and ever;

                        he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

      Seniors:     Praise the Lord from the earth,

                        you sea monsters and all deeps,

                        fire and hail, snow and frost,

                        stormy wind fulfilling his command!

      Children:   Mountains and all hills,

                        fruit trees and all cedars!

                        Wild animals and all cattle,

                        creeping things and flying birds!

      Women:     Kings of the earth and all peoples,

                        princes and all rulers of the earth!

      People:      Young men and women alike,

                        old and young together!

                        Let us praise the name of the Lord,

                        for his name alone is exalted;

                        his glory is above earth and heaven.

                        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!

Offering          

      Offertory

Sharing Time

      Prayers of the people                                                  Anita Kehr

Introduction of Visitors

      Please pass the friendship registers.

Announcements

Sending Song:              Let our gladness have no end (HWB 198)

Benediction

v  Childcare is available for infants and toddlers in the nursery during worship.

v  Nurture hour classes will resume next Sunday; for today, enjoy some extra fellowship time with one another. 

v  Newsletters are available on the literature rack in the fellowship hall.