What are your dreams for 2023? Has hardship or illness or good, old regular human frustrations and obstacles gotten in the way of your optimism about a new year?

Union Presbyterian Church is grateful to welcome the Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard to our pulpit to lead us in an inspiring New Year’s Day service. Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here, online, if you happen to be traveling or watching from home. The worship video is available after the live-stream ends. Join us—you are invited!

Bearing With Dreams

Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 26

Union Presbyterian Church

January 1, 2023

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Claire Bombard Preacher: Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Prelude       Colin DeLap

Announcements Claire Bombard

Prelude Colin DeLap

Welcome Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Call to Worship (responsive) Claire Bombard

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side —let Israel now say—

 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,

when our enemies attacked us,

then they would have swallowed us up alive,

When their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away,

People: the torrent would have gone over us;

then over us would have gone the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, 

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth

Hymn #66 W & R “To God be the Glory” (Public Domain)

To God be the glory, great things he hath done;
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory,
Great things he hath done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory,
Great things he hath done.

Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory,
Great things he hath done.

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of salvation, in Christ you have done great things—our hearts are filled with joy. By your power you lifted us out of the wasteland of sin and brought us with joy and laughter into your kingdom. Salvation is your gift to us. But we confess that often we try to replace your gift with our own efforts. We try to complete what is already perfect; we try to add to what is already full; we try to earn what we already have. Forgive us for our foolishness. Help us to focus on your grace. Help us to live grateful lives in return. For Jesus’ sake alone, Amen.

Words of Assurance

Good News! Good News! Good News!
God so loved the world that he gave
Sinful and broken humanity a gift: Emmanuel, God with us.
This proves God's love toward us!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Glory to God! Amen.

Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you. 

And also with you.

Let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another.

Scripture Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Children’s Message “Seeds” Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Scripture Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
    reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    carrying their sheaves.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Meditation “Bearing with Dreams” Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Hymn #4 W & R

“Bless His Holy Name,” Andraé Crouch

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me,

Bless his holy name.

He has done great things,

Bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me,

Bless his holy name.

Prayers of the People    Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

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. 

Prayer Response  # #475 W & R     

“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ,” Frank von Christierson 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Eternal Spirit of the living Christ, 
We know not how to ask or what to say; 
We only know our need, as deep as life, 
And only you can teach us how to pray. 

Call for Offering Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Doxology  

“Advent Doxology” 

Tune: “Once in Royal David’s City” (Public Domain) 

Praise to God, the One who made us. 

Praise to Christ, the newborn Son. 

Praise the Spirit, ever with us. 

Praise the Godhead, Three in One. 

Clear a path! Prepare the Way! 

Advent leads to Christmas Day!

Prayer of Dedication Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Hymn #14 W & R “Now Thank We All Our God” (Public Domain)

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world rejoices;

Who, from our mothers’ arms,
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The one eternal God
Whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Benediction Rev. Alicia Dixon-Garrard

Postlude  Colin DeLap

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal.

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal

Call to New Life: ~Adapted from: Vanderbilt lectionary library

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace: ~Adapted from worshipresourceblog.wordpress.com

Words of Assurance: www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources.com

Worship With Us

New Years Day: Bearing With Dreams