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DECEMBER 29, 2024
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JAMES ROSS

* Please Stand If Able

Prelude

Announcements

*Call to Worship

In this last week of our celebration of the beloved hymn classic, “Joy to the World,” we hear this Psalm of Joy juxtaposed with the story of Jesus’ family fleeing with him to Egypt in order to save his life. So, what’s joy got to do with it? The Hebrew root for “joy” that is used 54 times in the Hebrew scriptures–ranan (pronounced raw-nan’)–means “to shout, to cry out” and to “overcome.” Our shouting for joy trains the lungs and the courage to shout aloud for the overcoming of injustice. How will we use our exuberance for the righting of wrongs for the sake of the wonders of God’s love to come upon the earth?

Sing a new song to the Lord. Lift your hearts with gratitude and Joy, Compassionate Joy! Your steadfast love and faithfulness is ever present in our lives with Joy, Compassionate Joy!
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. - Psalm 148

* Praise Hymn – “Angels We Have Heard on High” # 238

The Wreath -
Let us pray:

Holy Living One,
You who are our Joy. Give us the strength we need to face the cruelty of the world and meet it with as much Hope, Love and Peace as we can. We give you thanks for the time we have had to contemplate what joy means in our lives and prepare ourselves for the work we will commit to in this next year, offering compassion in all we do.

Let wonders of your love rule our hearts this day.
Let wonders of your love rule our church this day.
Let wonders of your love rule the world this day…
in the name of Compassion. Amen.
We sing Joy to the World, Heaven and nature sing with joy,
Compassionate Joy! Amen!

Response “He Came Down” TFWS #2085

Children’s Chat

Scripture – Isaiah 63: 7-9 (CEB)

Matthew 2: 13-23 (The Message)
Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God

Series: “Heaven and Nature Sing Joy to the World”
Message – “Wonders of His Love: Compassionate Joy”

Tithes and Offering
*Doxology

*Prayer Hymn – “What Child Is This” #219

Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn – “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” #240

Action Steps and Benediction

Congregational Postlude

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org