Worship Bulletin

FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SACO
July 21, 2024 CHRISTMAS IN JULY 10:00 AM
We extend a warm welcome to all who gather here.
We pray that the service will offer you peace, comfort, and substance to feed your soul.
The Community Gathers
Meditation “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!”
~ Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit “Silent Night”
Emily Savage, solo
Call to Worship
Leader: On a night long ago, when the stars shone brightly in the sky, Jesus Christ
was born.
People: Underneath the light of one especially bright star, Jesus Christ was born.
Leader: In a plain and simple manger, Jesus Christ was born.
People: With animals gathered all around, Jesus Christ was born.
Leader: Wrapped in his parents’ care, Jesus Christ was born.
ALL: So that we might know God better, Jesus Christ was born.
*Opening Carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #114
Prayer of Invocation (unison)
Holy Child of Bethlehem, come to us. We open wide the doors to our hearts. Come, let your love shine in us to ease our fears and calm our worry. Come, fill us with a joy that knows no boundaries. Come, fill us with light that brightens every corner of darkness.

Holy Child of Bethlehem, come to us again. Lift us from the routine into the splendor of your holy night; carry us away from the extravagant into the simple wonder of your humble birth.

Holy Child of Bethlehem, come to us; be born in us. Even now. Amen.
The Word of God to Us
Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-14 (NT, p. 50) Faith Garnett
*Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” #132
A Message for the Christmas Child in All of Us
“The Best … or Worst … Christmas Pageant Ever”
Carol (during pageant) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #137
Anthem “African Noel” by Victor C. Johnson
Summer Pick-up Choir
We Respond to God’s Word
The Community at Prayer
Sharing our Prayers
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
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 “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” by Ken Medema
Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying, Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.
Offering Our Gifts to God
        Invitation
Offertory
*Doxology
                Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
*Prayer of Dedication
*Closing Carol “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come” #134
*Benediction
*Benediction Response “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” #160
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
*Postlude
*Indicates to please stand if you are able.

Our altar flowers this morning are given by the Hewes Flower Fund
In loving memory of Virginia Hewes.

The prayer shawls in the sanctuary are here to be shared. They have been blessed
in their making and in our worship. If you know someone that is in need of comfort and prayer, please share a shawl with them.

Our sanctuary is equipped with a bi-polar ionization system which cleans germs and bacteria from the air as it circulates. If you are a little chilly because of the breeze blowing on you,
please know that it is warmer up in the balcony.

Rev. Scott Cousineau, Senior Minister
Kris Galasyn, Director of Christian Education
Jacqueline Savage, Director of Music
Lisa Edstrom, Nursery Care Provider
Summer Pick-up Choir

First Parish Congregational Church 12 Beach Street, Saco, ME 04072
Office Phone: 207-283-3771 Office email: office@firstparishsaco.org
Website: www.firstparishsaco.org Like us on Facebook – First Parish Saco, UCC
First Parish Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation
A Place for Everyone!

Christmas in July!

Congregational Church
UCC, SACO MAINE
12 BEACH STREET | SACO, ME 04072
207-283-3771

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