Dear friends,
OUR SCRIPTURE READING continues in the gospel of Luke 2: 41-52, “The Boy Jesus in the Temple”. Mary and Joseph lose 12-year-old Jesus on their way home from the Passover festival, thinking he’s with the group. After three days of searching, they find him in the temple, discussing with the teachers, who are amazed at his understanding. Astonished, Mary says, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” The Presbyterian New Testament scholar and educator, J. Gresham Machen reminds us, “When Mary spoke of the father of that twelve-year-old boy, she meant his human father, the one who stood to him in a relation more like that of a father than did any other human being. When the boy Jesus spoke of his father in reply, he meant God. Notice that he did not say “our father” when he spoke of God. No, he said “my father.” He was Son of God in a sense entirely different from that which would apply to any other person who ever lived upon this earth.”
HAPPY NEW YEAR to the church family of St. Andrew’s and your loved ones! As we step into this new year, may it be filled with hope, joy, and God’s blessings.
Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Hymn 153 “Joy to the world” (vs 2 & 4 in French)
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace
The Lord’s Prayer
Children’s Time
Hymn 165 “O little town of Bethlehem” (vs 3 in French)
Responsive Reading: Psalm 148
Gloria Patri
1 Samuel 2: 18 – 20, 26 (en français – English on the screen)
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
Sermon: “Do we need to change our perspective?”
Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
Hymn 166: “Once in royal David’s city”
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 168: “See amid the winter’s snow” (vs 4 in French)
Benediction
Go now in peace
Postlude