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Hymn GTG #143, “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
Hymn GTG #135, “There's a Star in the East”
Leader: We gather to worship at the cusp of a new year.
People: We come, not knowing what the future has in store for us.
Leader: In the midst of uncertainty, we remain sure of one thing:
People: Jesus is Lord!
Leader: We revel in the promise that has been fulfilled through Christ’s birth.
People: God is with us. Let us worship the Lord!
Call to Confession (based on Luke 2:48)
Leader: Our merciful God calls out to us sinners: “Child, why do you treat us like this? We’ve been worried. We’ve been looking for you!” Let us now turn back to our divine parent, confessing our sins in humility and repentance.
Prayer of Confession (based on Luke 2:43-45)
You are invited to speak a word or short phrase that describes a personal or collective sin of which you repent and seek forgiveness. When the gathered community is finished sharing, we pray together:
People: O Holy Guide, we confess that we follow our own desires more readily than we follow you. We set off in whatever direction suits us, not realizing that you aren’t on the same path. We leave you behind in our haste to pursue our own agenda. Forgive us, O Lord. Help us to turn back and seek you with the zeal of a parent searching for a lost child. In your mercy, hear our prayers… (Silent prayers of personal confession)
Declaration of Forgiveness (based on Luke 2:51)
Leader: Hear these words, and cherish them in your heart: for all these sins and more, we are forgiven in Christ’s name!
People: Thanks be to God!
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