Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad you’re joining us this morning. Take a look at this week’s announcements, and be sure to fill out the visitor card at woodlandnash.org/bulletin.

You’re invited to rise in body or spirit for items in the bulletin marked with an asterisk*, and respond with the congregation for text that is bold. For now, sit back and relax as we begin the service.

Gathering

Prelude

*Call to Worship

Praise God, sun and moon;
praise God, all shining stars.
Praise God from the earth,
all sea monsters and deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
every stormy wind fulfilling God’s command.
Praise God, all mountains and hills,
all fruit trees and cedars.
For God has raised up a horn for all people,
praise for all who are faithful,
the people of Israel who draw near.
Praise the Holy One!

*Hymn #143

“Angels from the Realms of Glory”

*Prayer of Confession

Loving God,
As we move into a new season,
help us to continually see your light
and feel your presence in our lives and communities,
not forgetting to lean on hope and one another,
so that when we find ourselves struggling to understand
life’s course, the injustices of the world,
and what does not make sense,
we may turn to wonder and to our neighbors,
and seek to be active vessels for your peace and lovingkindness.
Amen.

Silent Confession

*Assurance of Confession

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*Passing of the Peace

Since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

*Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Encountering

Scripture Readings

Luke 19:42,
Selections from I Kings 11:42-12:19.

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, thanks be to God.

Sermon: “How Family Feud”

Mark DeVries served as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee for 28 years and has served alongside the Woodland family for more than a year now.

He is the founder of Ministry Architects and Justice Industries and the co-founder of the Center for Youth Ministry Training and Ministry Incubators. Mark is the author of 12 books, including recently released Reimagining Young Adult Ministry. Mark and his wife Susan live in Nashville and have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Responding

Prayers of Supplication and Intercession

O God, in your loving kindness, hear our prayer.

The Offering

Doxology

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lift up your hearts,
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Silent meditation.

We now pray together, saying…

Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

The First Sunday after Christmas