December 28, 2025

First Sunday after Christmas

Order of Worship

In-Person Sunday Morning Service at 9:30 am

or Recorded Worship Service

To access our recorded service, please visit our website:

www.umcw.org/sermons

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST


Prelude

 "In Thee is Gladness"

UMH #169


Welcome and Sharing of Announcements


A Time to Connections

(in-person service only)


Meditation Time


Introit

     “Ave Maria”     

Nancy Burns, soloist

  Schubert


Call to Worship

Liturgist:  God’s light has come into the world, shining in the darkness.

People: We have seen the Savior, born for us.

Liturgist: God’s promises have been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

People: We rejoice that Emmanuel - God with us - is near.

Liturgist: Even when the path is uncertain and fear surrounds us, God guides and protects.

People: We trust the God who leads us into hope and new life.

Liturgist: Come, let us worship the One who came to save us, the Christ Child.

People: Let us praise the Lord, whose mercy and faithfulness endure forever.



Opening Prayer

Gracious God, we come before you in the quiet of this season, holding both joy and the memory of hardship in our hearts. You sent your Son into a world of danger and uncertainty, and yet your love did not fail. We thank you for the faithfulness that guided Mary and Joseph, for the protection that kept the child safe, and for the promise that your Word will not return empty. As we worship today, open our hearts to your presence. Help us to hear your voice amid the noise of the world and to follow the path you set before us. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.



Opening Hymn

    “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” 

UMH #224


Message in Music

      “Greensleeves” 

Frank Feda, guitarist

     Traditional


Children's Time

Pastor Jinyong


Joys and Concerns


Lord's Prayer

 


Prayer's Response

 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” 

      UMH #230 (verse 4)  


   

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD


Scripture Readings: Matthew 2:13-23

13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph[a] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”


16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi,[b] he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi.[c] 17 Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:


18  “A voice was heard in Ramah,

    wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

    she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”


19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph[d] got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”[e]


LiturgistThe word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.


Message

 “The Holy Family in Egypt: God’s Guidance Through Fear and Flight” 

Pastor Jinyong Choi

WE RESPOND

 

Offering

     “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”  

UMH #251

based on Luke 2:8-20


Doxology

UMH #94

 

Offertory Prayer

O God of mercy and provision, you have given us the gift of your Son, the true light of the world. In gratitude, we bring our gifts - not to buy favor, but to reflect your love and care in the world. Bless these offerings and the hands that give, that they may bring comfort to the weary, hope to the oppressed, and light to the places of darkness. May our lives, like these gifts, point others to the Christ who came among us, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.



Closing Hymn

        “Joy to the World”  

UMH #246 (verses 1 & 4)

led by Nancy Burns & Frank Feda



The Blessing and Sending Forth

Pastor: God has called you out of darkness into the light of the Christ Child.

People: We go, carrying the light of Christ into the world.

Pastor: Even in times of fear and uncertainty, God will guide your steps and protect you.

People: We will follow, trusting the God who watches over us.

Pastor: May the hope of the angels, the faith of Mary and Joseph, and the peace of the Christ Child go with you this day and always.

People: Amen. Thanks be to God!


Benediction Response

  “Auld Lang Syne” 

         Traditional

Nancy Burns & Frank Feda



Postlude

"Cold December flies away"

arr. Dale Wood


IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE

Liturgists: Mark Beatty

Ushers/Greeters: Nancy Keelan

Organist: Matt Cron

Sound: Ron Aldenberg

Projection: Carolyn Elmore

Video: Mary Beatty


Our Mission Statement

“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”


Our Openness Statement

“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”

Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.

www.umcw.org

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