Norwood Presbyterian Church

Prelude “Yes, Lord, Yes” Judith Fleitas

Greeting, Announcements The Rev. Chris White

*Call to Worship - based on Psalm 100 Peggy Hiller

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness!

Come into God’s presence with singing.

For the Lord is a gracious God, whose mercy is everlasting.

God’s faithfulness endures to all generations.

Let us worship the Lord!

*Sing the Faith #2069 “All Hail King Jesus” Dave Moody

*Sing the Faith #2071 “Jesus, Name above All Names” Naida Hearn

*Sing the Faith #2025 “As the Deer” Martin Nystrom

Call to Confession - based on Joel 2:13

God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Let us confess our sins before God and one another.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Lord and Shepherd of us all, you have called us to serve you cheerfully, and to follow you faithfully. But we have turned a deaf ear to your call; we have been so occupied with our own concerns that we have not stopped to listen for you. Forgive us for insisting upon our own way, when you have called us to a better way. By your Spirit, give us the minds and hearts of true disciples. Be glorified in our glad obedience to your call, as we walk in free submission to your will, according to the pattern of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. (silent prayer)

Assurance of Pardon (Responsively)

Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel!

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

*PC(USA) #68 (v.4) “What Star is This, with Beams so Bright”

PUER NOBIS NASCITUR

To God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit, three in one, may every tongue and nation raise an endless song of thankful praise.

Children of all ages are welcome to come forward for a special message. Afterwards, they are invited to go to the back of the sanctuary (to the Kids Korner) where there are other materials available.

Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong; They are weak , but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

LORD, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

My body was not hidden from you, while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.

How deep I find your thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the people, including a time of silent prayer and 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.

God, whose giving knows no ending, from your riches and endless store, nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom, costly cross, grave’s shattered door: Gifted by You, we turn to You, offering up ourselves in praise; Thankful song shall rise forever, gracious donor of our days.

*If able to do so comfortably, the congregation is invited to stand. Bold Print indicates congregation’s participation.

Please sign the sheet on the clipboard so we can rejoice in your attendance! If you are a visitor looking for a church home, we warmly invite you to consider NPC.

During worship, we offer nursery care for those 5 years old and under. Please let an usher know if you would like a nursery attendant to care for your infant or if you need directions to the nursery.

There are special bulletins available for the youth. After youth sermon, the youth are invited to the “Kids Korner” so they might continue to quietly participate in this worship service.

If you have any questions or need pastoral assistance, please feel free to contact Pastor Chris at 265-0844 or the church office at 531-1546.

If you would like to serve as liturgist or usher, please see Eleanor Hayes or Sue Werner. If you would like to host fellowship, please see Sara Lehew or Christine Street.

Pastor Chris appreciates your patience and prayers as she continues to care for her mother in Amelia. Hopefully things will be back to normal around January 26.

~Those in retirement and nursing homes, those “at home” and those in the military. (See the Piper for a complete listing.)

~Our special friend this week is Majel Hagedorn. Please pray for her this week and be sure to sign her card so she will know we are thinking of her.

~Offering envelopes are in the back of the Sanctuary. If you did not receive envelopes and would like some, please call the church office.

~TODAY - We welcome Melissa Bates and Wilda Carpenter as “official” members of NPC!

~Wednesday, January 21 - 11:30 am at the Bluebird Café, the Norwood Ministerial Assoc. will meet for lunch.

~Thursday, January 22 - 11:30 am Presbyterian Women (PW) will meet in the church library. Bring your lunch and join us for our Bible Study. Pastor Chris will be our hostess.

~Sunday, January 25 - We will be ordaining and installing our new deacons Pat Bowman and Edna Crawford. We welcome back Mustafa Icel and thank him for bringing “Noah’s Pudding” to the congregation. He’ll also lead the 9:30 “Let’s Chat” conversation regarding Mary, mother of Jesus.

~Sunday, February 1 - “Souper Bowl” Sunday - please bring in a can of soup to donate to Zion UCC’s emergency food pantry. Norwood Community Choir will perform at 3 pm at the Norwood Middle School auditorium.