The First Sunday After Christmas
Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths.
- Today, let’s take a few moments to remember the faithful love of Jesus throughout this past year
- As you continue to breathe slowly, what did you see? What did you hear? How did you receive God’s love? How did you share God’s love?
Call to Worship
In Jesus, the grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation to all.
Like those who followed the star,
We come to seek Christ today.
With our whole heart we proclaim:
Glory to God in the highest! Amen
Worship Songs
My Hallelujah
Open up the doors again
Let the King of glory in
His Kingdom will never end
Oh, I know that You are good
Break the darkness with the light
All the earth let praise arise
Every dead place come alive
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You will have my hallelujah
You alone the highest name
All to You I surrender
Every breath I take
Make my life Your praise
Oh, Spirit of the Living God
Fire burning in my heart
I’m wide awake to who You are
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You are my strength when I am weak
You are my sight when I can’t see
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Oh, when I was lost, You rescued me
When I was bound, You set me free
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Great Are You Lord
You give life
You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope
You restore
every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Prayer of Confession
God of all our days,
as we come to the close of this year,
we are grateful for Your steadfast love.
Help us to remember Your faithfulness;
Teach us to follow in Your ways;
Make us witnesses of Your mercy & grace:
Hear us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
Open our eyes, O God,
to the dawning of a new day
in the love of Christ. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day.
As we begin to conclude this year,
we continue to pray for people and places
who need Your hope, peace, joy & love:
— Invite people forward to light candles —
Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day,
that we might reflect Your light
into every corner of our world.
Amen.
Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Christmas Offering: Our Christmas offering this year will support Justice Ventures International and World Relief Southern California! You can give in person or via Tithely (and choose “Christmas 2025” from the drop-down menu).
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Promises
God from age to age
Though the earth may pass away
Your word remains the same
Your history can prove
There’s nothing You can’t do
You’re faithful and true
Though the storms may come
And the winds may blow
I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn
When You speak a word
It will come to pass
Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me
I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down
Scripture Reading
Psalm 65
1 Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.Reader:
This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Where Morning Dawns
Pastor Dan
Conversation questions:
- Where are thin places from this past year where you met with God?
- Does time feel like it’s slipping away? How can you experience the fullness of time with God each day? (new experiences, changing your routine, keeping your mind young & curious, practice presence)
Worship Song
Send the Rain
Lord, we come to You
Now with open hands
Broken lives and dreams
Washed up on the sand
We’ve been beaten down
But still we choose to stand
We choose to stand
Lord, we long for You
For Your hand to move
Heal this barren land
Come and make it new
Jesus, You’re the life
That is breaking through
You’re breaking through
The saints of old in ancient days
They worked the ground
that we reap from today
So use our hands to cultivate
The harvest that
our children’s children taste
We’re ready God, so send the rain
Lord, we’ll follow You
To unbroken earth
On the path not used
Where new hope is birthed
We will work as one
Holding to Your truth
To Your truth
Heal the ruined cities
We destroyed with our own hands
Bring us back together
Let us see the promised land
Pour out Your Spirit
On this dry and thirsty ground
O God of the harvest
Could it be right here and now
Could it be right here and now
Open up the heavens,
let Your rain fall down
We are thirsty, we are thirsty
Anchor & Hope Church 