Why not celebrate the Nativity of Jesus sometime other than during the frosts of December? This year, we will be observing Christmas in August as an opportunity to explore together the theology of the incarnation—God-become-human—without the distractions of gift giving and party planning. Rev. Jeff Kellam offered this service for his congregation years ago, and will be leading the service together with Rev. Pat Raube. Instead of eggnog and cookies, we will commune with the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation.
Join us today as we worship outdoors (weather permitting, of course!). We will worship on the Liberty Avenue parking lot as we hear the Word and gather around the table for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. A video of the service will be available later in the day.
Ordinary Time: A Service of Creeds and Carols
John 1, Galatians 4, Matthew 1 & 5, 1 Timothy
Union Presbyterian Church
August 6, 2023
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Rev. Jeff Kellam Rev. Pat Raube
Welcome Rev. Jeff Kellam
Announcements Rev. Pat Raube
PRELUDE Colin DeLap
“Welcome to Our World,” Chris Rice.
© 1995, Clumsy Fly Music.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
*Call To Worship Rev. Jeff Kellam
Into our world, as into Mary’s womb…
come, Lord Jesus.
Into the forgotten places, as into the stable…
come, Lord Jesus.
Into the lives of the poor, bringing hope;
into the lives of the powerful, bringing caution;
into the lives of the weary, bringing rest’
into the lives of the wise, bringing restlessness’
into our lives and longings, whatever our estate…come, Lord Jesus.
This is the good news: Christ is coming,
an Advent in August, a Christmas never out of season…
Therefore, come quickly, Lord. Amen!
*Prayer of the Day Rev. Pat Raube
*Hymn # 22 PH “Angels from the Realms of Glory” (Public Domain)
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
THE NICENE CREED (excerpt) (325/381 A.D.) Rev. Jeff Kellam
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light…
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became
truly human.
Scripture Reading John 1:1-5 Rev. Pat Raube
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
MEDITATION “Cosmic Surprise” Rev. Jeff Kellam
*HYMN #40 PH “Joy to the World” (Public Domain)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns:
Let us our songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Time for Young Disciples Rev. Jeff Kellam
THE SCOTS CONFESSION (excerpt) (1560) Rev. Pat Raube
When the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, his eternal wisdom,
the substance of his own glory, into the world, who took the nature of humanity from the substance of a woman, a virgin, by means of the Holy Ghost. And so was born the “just seed of David”, the “Angel of the great counsel of God,” the very Messiah promised, whom we confess and acknowledge to be Emmanuel, true God and true man…
Scripture Reading Galatians 4:4-7 Rev. Jeff Kellam
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God.
MEDITATION “The Fullness of Time” Rev. Jeff Kellam
HYMN #31 PH “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Public Domain)
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of the virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased in flesh with us to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
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.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM (1562) Rev. Jeff Kellam
Q ~ 29. Why is the Son of God called JESUS, which means SAVIOR?
A ~ Because he saves us from our sins, and because salvation is to be sought or found in no other.
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 1:18-21 Rev. Pat Raube
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
MEDITATION “Jesus, Savior” Rev. Jeff Kellam
HYMN #28 PH “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice,” John Ribble
©1983, Westminster John Knox Press, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE,
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice,
With heart, and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door,
And we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH (excerpt) (1649) Rev. Pat Raube
It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and humanity, the Prophet, Priest, and King; the Head and Savior of his Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world; unto whom he did, from all eternity, give a people to be his seed, and to be by him in the time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
Scripture Reading 1 Timothy 2:1-6 Rev. Jeff Kellam
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and acceptable before God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For
there is one God;
there is also one mediator between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human,
who gave himself a ransom for all
—this was attested at the right time.
MEDITATION “Jesus, Mediator” Rev. Jeff Kellam
HYMN #49 PH “Once in Royal David’s City” (Public Domain)
Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall.
With the poor, oppressed, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.
Jesus is our childhood's pattern;
Day by day, like us He grew;
He was little, weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feels for all our sadness,
And He shares in all our gladness.
THE CONFESSION OF 1967 Rev. Pat Raube
In Jesus of Nazareth true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all.
Scripture Reading Matthew 5:43-48 Rev. Jeff Kellam
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
MEDITATION “Our True Humanity” Rev. Jeff Kellam
*HYMN "In a Feed Box, in a Stable," Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
©1998, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Used with Permission
In a feed box, in a stable,
Jesus slept upon the hay;
So, our God, you came among us,
Bringing peace on earth that day.
Beautiful upon the mountain!
Christ, you bring us God's shalom;
May we share your love and justice
In each land and town and home.
In a shelter, poor and homeless,
Sleeps a child upon her bed;
In a basement hides a family,
Bombs exploding overhead.
Jesus, you knew want and hunger;
Your own family fled the sword.
May we see you, may we hear you,
In each one oppressed or poor.
In the church, we seek your presence;
Prince of Peace, you meet us here:
See! A person seeking shelter.
See! Another filled with fear.
See! A world where lives are broken;
Give us strength and help us care,
Till our love for every neighbor
Fills each thought and act and prayer.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Rev. Pat Raube
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.
A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH (excerpt) (1983) Rev. Jeff Kellam
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God; preaching good news to the poor
and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed
and blessing the children, healing the sick
and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts,
forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Invitation Rev. Pat Raube
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Great Thanksgiving Rev. Jeff Kellam
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna in the highest!
The Words of Institution
Let us share the mystery of our faith:
For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, until he comes.
The Holy Spirit Rev. Jeff Kellam
The Communion
Music During Communion: “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming,” Jay Rouse
© 2005, PraiseGathering Music.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
Prayer After Communion Rev. Pat Raube
Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table, by granting us the presence of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
*HYMN #29 PH “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” Melva W. Costen
©1990, Melva Wilson Costen, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE,
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
BENEDICTION: excerpt from “A Declaration of Faith” (1976) Rev. Jeff Kellam
We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child,
yet born of God’s power as was no other child.
In the person and work of Jesus, God and human life
are united but not confused, distinguished but not separated.
The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God’s promised rule.
Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection,
he brings about the relationship between God and humanity that God always intended. Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Colin DeLap
“Pat-A-Pan,” Jay Rouse
© 2005, PraiseGathering Music.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
Communion Prayers taken from the Book of Worship of The United Church of Christ, c) 1986.