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

Scott Sauers

*Call to Worship

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
Righteousness and peace will embrace.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Holy One will give what is good
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before and will make a path for
God’s steps. Prepare the way for the Holy One!

Candle Lighting

… until they shine forth God’s righteousness.
Come, Christ Jesus, Come!

*Hymn #93

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

*Prayer of Confession

Surprising God,
We confess that our sense of anticipation has been dulled, and we struggle to accept your wonders,
not seeing the marvels around us in the people
and the happenings we view as commonplace.
Move us, O God, and send your light,
that it may shine through us in the needs of the world,
in Christ’s name.
Amen.

Silent confession.

*Hymn #90

Wait for the Lord (3x)

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong; take heart!

*Assurance of Grace

In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy,
new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God.

Thanks be to the God of Advent, who is with us now and always, and who will come again in glory! Amen.

*Passing of the Peace

Since we have hope in the peace of Christ, let us love one another while we wait.

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

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Encountering

Scripture Reading

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

Travis Chavis manages the East Nashville training hub at Woodland, and most recently led discussions on race in the Church at Woodland. Travis is an experienced professional in Human Resources and operational processes, and has worked with some of the most recognizable brands in the world.

*Hymn #97

Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

Responding

Prayers of Supplication & Intercession

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

The Offering and *Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God in Jesus fully known
Creator, Word, and Spirit, one.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.

(The prayer continues.)

Silent meditation.

We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we 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.

*Hymn #87

Comfort, Comfort Now My People

*Dismissal & Postlude

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.

• AnnouncementsDecember 22, 2019

Gathering

 Prelude

As we begin to worship, let us take a moment to center ourselves, remembering the waters of our baptism: 

In Baptism, we were joined to Christ and made members of one body. In the community of the people of God, we have learned of God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

*Call to Worship

The days are surely coming, says the Holy One, 
when I will fulfill my promise to my people. 

Justice and righteousness will fill the land,  
and all will live in peace and safety. 

Candle Lighting

… and justice and righteousness shall be executed in the land. 
Come, Christ Jesus, Come!

*Hymn #104

“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?”

*Prayer of Confession

Holy God,
we have long awaited the time
when all Creation is filled with your justice,
lovingkindness, and peace.
But we anticipate your coming,
to put right all that is wrong in our world,
with a complex mix of hope, joy, anxiety, and reluctance –
because we realize that we are often complicit
in many of the wrongs that need to be righted,
and fear that our lives will be changed
in ways we do not want.
Help us face with courage and humility
our struggle to be the people you call us to be,
and empower us by your Spirit to begin anew
the effort to embody more fully in our lives
your love for all Creation –
which we see embodied in Christ Jesus,
your Beloved, Anointed One.
Amen.

Silent Confession

*Hymn 90

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong; take heart!

(repeat all x3)

*Assurance of Grace

In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy, new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God. 

Thanks be to the God of Advent, who is with us now and always, and who will come again in glory! Amen. 

*Passing of the Peace

Since we have hope in the peace of Christ, let us love one another and rejoice. The peace of Christ be with you. 

And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Encountering

Scripture Reading

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

Kendra Ketter Chavis is an ordained minister, speaker and writer. She completed her Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary.

She served as Director of Operations and an Associate Minister at Change Church in Ewing, NJ. Kendra recently concluded pulpit and pastoral care leadership at Memorial West United Presbyterian Church in Newark, NJ.

Responding

*Hymn #352

My Lord! What a Morning!

Offering

Meredith Cox, special music

*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God in Jesus fully known
Creator, Word, and Spirit, one.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Holy Communion

Invitation & 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.

(The prayer continues)

…we worship and adore your glorious name, praising you forevermore: 

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Indeed, we give thanks to you in all things, O God, 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 Words of Institution

Sharing of the Bread and Cup

*Hymn #357

The Days Are Surely Coming

Dismissal & Postlude

Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad to see you, and encourage you to fill out a visitor card in the pew or on the previous page. The congregation is invited to stand in body or spirit for each item marked with an asterisk* in the bulletin.

• AnnouncementsDecember 22, 2019

Gathering

Prelude

As we begin to worship today, let us take a moment to center ourselves, remembering the waters of our baptism:

In Baptism we were joined to Christ and made members of one body. In the community of the people of God, we have learned of God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

*Call to Worship

I will praise the Holy One, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Holy One.
With God by my side, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one witness decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures by your side.

*Hymn #11

Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud

*Invitation & Prayer of Confession

My God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen.

Silent confession.

*Response

Kyrie Eleison, “Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.”

*Assurance of Grace

Believe in 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.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*Response

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down. (2x)
I’m so happy, O, so happy
Since I laid my burger down. (2x)

Encountering the Word

Scripture Reading

John 18:33-38

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

“An Ode to Truth”

A Nashville native, Jenny Cook spent several years working in the nonprofit sector and has frequently served with local youth ministries. Jenny is a graduate of Furman University (2014) where she studied graphic design.

*Hymn #158

Born in the Night, Mary’s Child

Responding to the Word

Prayers of Supplication and Intercession

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

The Offering

*Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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

The prayer continues, and concludes with the Lord’s Prayer:

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.

*Hymn #274

You, Lord, are Both Lamb and Shepherd

*Dismissal and Prelude

Thanks for joining us! Stay updated at Woodland with our weekly newsletter, or by following us on Instagram and Facebook at @woodlandnashville

Gathering Song #767

“Together we Serve”

In Baptism we were joined to Christ and made members of one body. In the community of the people of God, we have learned of God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

Call to Worship

Shout to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of God’s name, give glorious praise.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!”
Your enemies cower before your strength.
All the earth worships you and sings praises to you:
All creation praises your name.”

*Hymn #301

“All are Welcome”

*Invitation & Prayer of Confession

Holy God,
Give us the courage, strength, and understanding
to expand the boundaries of our love,
to let go of fear and what keeps us from one another,
so that
we may better serve our neighbors,
better love and
support strangers,
better pursue and practice peace,
and more faithfully follow Christ Jesus.

*Response

Kyrie Eleison, 
“Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy.”

*Assurance of Grace

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

Glory, glory, hallelujah! 
Since I laid my burden down. (2x) 

I’m so happy, O, so happy 
 Since I laid my burden down. (2x) 

Glory, glory…

Scripture Readings

Exodus 4:2, Matthew 25:14-30

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

“What’s That in Your Hand?”

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.

*Hymn #305

Come Sing, O Church, In Joy

Prayers of Supplication & Intercession

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

The Offering

Training Hub Choir

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. 
Praise God, all creatures high and low. 
Alleluia, alleluia! 
Praise God, in Jesus fully known: 
Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 
Alleluia, alleluia! 
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Blessing of the Building

Holy God…

As we gather in this place on this day of celebration, 
we pray that you bless and keep this space:

May your word of life be heard 
in all its extraordinary power and truth. 
May the seeking continue to find welcome among us. 
In your waters of renewal and grace, 
may our hungry hearts be nourished at your table 
and equipped to serve others. 
May your peace surround us, and may our lives be changed,
Making the life of the world ever new through Christ Jesus. 

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.

*Hymn #643

Now Thank We All Our God

*Dismissal & Postlude

All Saint’s Sunday (Nov. 4)

• AnnouncementsDecember 22, 2019

We’re excited to worship with you this morning! Woodland Presbyterian is a community dedicated to inclusion & participation in the Church, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, political views, or another part of your identity.

We’d like to invite you to fill out our connection card, as would love to add you to our mailing list! If you have any questions, you can also email us at contact@woodlandnash.org, or DM us on Facebook or Instagram.

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Gather in Worship

Prelude

Monica Garren, Violin

Call to Worship

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Holy One their God,

who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;

who keeps faith forever;

who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.

The Holy One sets the prisoners free
and opens the eyes of the blind.

The Holy One watches over the strangers
and upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Holy One will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.

*Hymn #326

For All the Saints

*Prayer of Confession

Holy God,
Through faithful people in every age
you show us how to live by faith in you.
But we often ignore their good example,
mistakenly thinking 
that we can live just as well without them.
Help us realize more fully 
how much we owe to all those
who have gone before us in the life of faith.
Strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we might follow more faithfully
the way of your justice and lovingkindness
embodied forever in Christ Jesus, your Beloved One.
Amen.

Silent Confession

*Response

Kyrie Eleison, “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.”

*Assurance of Grace

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.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*Response

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

---

Encounter the Word

Scripture Reading

John 2:13-22

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

“Jesus and Money: What are we to do?”

Meredith Cox hails from the Atlanta area originally but most recently has come by way of New Jersey where they received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Previous to seminary, Meredith served as a PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in San Antonio, Texas and is still deeply tied to the YAV Program as a regular worship leader for their retreats.

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Respond to the Word

*Hymn 731

Give Thanks for Those Whose Faith is Firm

Offering

Monica Garren, Violin

*Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*Hymn #506

Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table

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Holy Communion

Invitation & the Great 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.

(The prayer continues.)

…And we rejoice that one day we will join all the saints who have gone before you, who we now name, either out loud or in our hearts…

(You may now name those whom you have lost, either aloud or in silence.)

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Bread and Cup

*Hymn #767

Together We Serve

*Dismissal

Postlude

Second Sunday after the Epiphany (January 14, 2018)

• AnnouncementsDecember 22, 2019

We’re excited to worship with you this morning! Woodland Presbyterian is a community dedicated to inclusion & participation in the Church, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, political views, or another part of your identity.

We’d like to invite you to fill out our connection card, as would love to add you to our mailing list! If you have any questions, you can also email us at contact@woodlandnash.org, or DM us on Facebook or Instagram.

---

Gather in Worship

Prelude

Rachel Harley and Brandon Smith

*Call to Worship

L: Bless the HOLY ONE, O my soul.
P: O my God, you are very great.
L: You are clothed with honor and majesty,
wrapped in light as with a garment.
P: You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
L: you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,
P: you make the clouds your chariot,
L: you ride on the wings of the wind,
P: you make the winds your messengers,
fire and flame your ministers.
L: You set the earth on its foundations,
so that it shall never be shaken.
P: O HOLY ONE, how manifold are your works!

*Hymn 475

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

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*Prayer of Confession

Holy God, 
Out of the deep mystery of your being  
you call us to a future of great promise, 
but also, of great uncertainty – 
while we insist on knowing exactly where we are going 
and how we will get there. 
We confess that we often fail to trust the sometimes-strange ways you lead us, 
and attempt instead to take control of our own destiny. 
Help us to learn from story of your people Israel, 
and the life of Jesus your Beloved One, 
how our life’s journey, undertaken by faith, 
can be more important than our arrival at any expected destination. 
Amen.

Silent confession.

Response

Kyrie Eleison

Assurance

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

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Passing of the Peace

L: Since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another. The peace of Christ be with you. 
P: And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

Response

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down. (2x)

I’m so happy, O, so happy
Since I laid my burden down. (2x)

Glory, glory…

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Proclaiming the Word

Scripture Reading

Joshua 4:21-24

L: For the word of God in scripture,
for the word of God among us,  
for the word of God within us,

P: Thanks be to God.

Preaching the Word

“I’ve Been Rescued”

Travis Chavis is a human resources and operations business professional. His passion is people and helping them understand how to maximize their potential in the workplace.

Travis brings with him 12 years of experience leading human resource and operational processes within some of the most recognizable brands in the world. In addition to consulting, his articles on business trends can be found online.

*Hymn #55

Come like Driving Wind, O God

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Responding

Prayers of Supplication & Intercession

L: O God, in your loving kindness, 
P: Hear our prayer.

The Offering

Rachel Harley & Brandon Smith

*Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low. 
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

---

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Eternal God… 

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. 

*Hymn 65

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Dismissal & Postlude