Silent Reflection

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the

kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of

Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, the feed the hungry, to release the

prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the

heart.

— Howard Thurman

Hymn, No. 143 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

Pastoral Blessing Matt Rosencrans

Choral Benediction Celebrating Grace, No. 256, v.3

“We are People of God’s Peace”

Postlude Wilbur Held

“God Rest You Merry”

TODAY AT SEVENTH

The Sanctuary flowers are given in celebration of

Sharon McNeil’s birthday on December 22.

Pianist: Jim Williams — John August Swanson, “Flight to Egypt”

Worship at Seventh & James Baptist Church The First Sunday after Christmas

Liturgical color: White

10:50 a.m. 29 December 2019

Welcome and Call to Worship Matt Rosencrans

Hymn, No. 122 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”

Litany of God’s Redemption Stephen Gusukuma

One: I will recount the kindness of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of God, because of

all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor shown to the house of Israel

according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Many: For the Lord said, “Why, they are my people, children who do not

betray,” and the Lord became their savior.

One: In all their distress, he was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In

his love and in his compassion he redeemed them.

Many: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens and in the heights.

Praise him, all his angels and all his host. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all

you shining stars.

One: Praise the Lord from the earth! Praise him, mountains and hills, fruit trees and

cedars, cattle and birds of the air. Praise him, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes

and all rulers. Praise him, women and men alike, old and young together.

Many: Let us praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his

glory is above earth and heaven.

— based on Isaiah 63 and Psalm 148

Prayer of Thanksgiving Stephen Gusukuma

Hymn, No. 133 “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”

The Gospel Reading Leslie Rosencrans

Matthew 2:13-23 (pew Bible, NT, pp. 2)

One: This is the Word of the Lord.

Many: Thanks be to God.

The Prayers of God’s People Leslie Rosencrans

Offertory Johannes Brahms

“Es ist ein Ros’ entspringen”

(Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming)

Doxology, No. 707 Congregation

(Sung to VENI EMMANUEL, tune of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above ye heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Children’s Sermon Leslie Rosencrans

All children are invited to come forward for the Children’s Sermon.

Preschoolers [ages 4-5 years] may then go to Extended Session.

Anthem F.E. Weatherly and Stephen Adams

“The Holy City”

Justin Kroll and Edgar Sierra, tenors

Sermon Matt Rosencrans

“Christmas With and Without”

(Matthew 2:13-23)