December 24, 2017                                                                  “The Straight Skinny on the Fat Man in Red”

*Gathering Hymn                                    #249 “On this Day Everywhere”

 

Call to Worship                                       Jacki Weber, Worship Associate

 

Chalice Lighting                                     Whether or not something is true

                                                                   is not a matter of fact.

                                                               It is a matter of whether it has the power

                                                               to expand our heart as well as our head.

                                                               We light our chalice that we may

                                                               increase both our love and our reason.

 

Music for the Morning                          “Purer than pure”                                                          by Vincent Persichetti

                                                                                                                                            arr. Danny Gledhill [#250]

 

Welcome

 

*Opening Hymn                                      #240 “I Heard the Bells”                     (to the tune of “I Saw Three Ships”)

 

*Covenant                                              Love is the doctrine of this church.

                                                              The quest for truth is its sacrament,

                                                              And service is its prayer.

                                                              To dwell together in peace,

                                                              To seek knowledge in freedom,

                                                              To serve humankind in fellowship,

                                                               Thus do we covenant with each other.

 

*Hymn of Praise                                    From all that dwell below the skies

                                                              Let songs of hope and faith arise

                                                              Let peace, goodwill on earth be sung

                                                              Through every land, by every tongue.

 

Offering for the Westside Food Bank

 

Time for All Ages

 

Song of Blessing                                   “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”

                                                                 You better watch out, you better not cry

                                                                  Better not pout, I'm telling you why

                                                                  Santa Claus is coming to town

 

                                                                  He's making a list, and checking it twice

                                                                  Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice

                                                                  Santa Claus is coming to town

 

                                                                  He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake

                                                                  He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!

                                                                 

                                                                  O! You better watch out! You better not cry

                                                                  Better not pout, I'm telling you why

                                                                  Santa Claus is coming to town

                                                                  Santa Claus is coming to town

 

Life Together

 

Pulpit Message

 

Offering

 

Offertory Anthem                                      “Angels We Have Heard” on High                                arr. Danny Gledhill

 

Devotional Time

 

Reflection                                                 “The Night Before Christmas”                                  (modern day version)

                                                                    With apologies to Clement Moore

 

Pastoral Prayer

 

Silence

 

Musical Response

 

Sermon                                                   “The Straight Skinny on the Fat Man in Red”                               Rev. Greg

 

Going Deeper

 

*Closing Hymn                                         #259 “We Three Kings”

 

*Benediction

 

Musical Benediction

 

Invitation to Fellowship

 

*Please stand in body or in spirit

 

 

Greeters:                           James Duckman (9am); Kirk Attebury, Michael Young & Steve Young (11am)

Ushers:                              Peggy Kharraz & Kit Shaw (9am); Steve DePaul & Dan Patterson (11am)

Coffee:                               Sheila Bjornlie & Leah Moore (9am); Cathy Wolfson & Sylvia Young (11am)

Welcome Table:                 Barbara Gibbs (9am); Carol Ring (11am)

Bookstore:                         Sarah Harper

 

At each of our five services today, we will collect money for our Ministerial Discretionary Fund. This

fund is so that we will have some way of providing care for our fellow members and friends who find

themselves without enough food or who can’t pay a bill … for those who’ve been unexpectedly laid

off or who need just a little help with a prescription or receiving treatment - but, are uncomfortable

asking. There is currently no active fund or line item in our budget that allows us offer the spirit of

care to our fellow members in need. This fund allows us to be difference makers in the lives of our

fellow members. Please give what you can to help out those struggling in our larger community. Thanks!