The service in PDF format is at: 12-31-2017 – New Year Evening Service
New Years Eve
Hymn Sing & Communion Service
December 31, 2017 7:00 PM
AS WE GATHER…Near the close of Deuteronomy, there is an account of how Moses gave directions to Joshua entrusting to him the leadership of the people of Israel. Moses encouraged his successor with these words: “Be strong and courageous. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” As we conclude this calendar year and look toward the future and a new year, we can be confident that wherever we are going, not only is the Lord going before us, but He is also for us as we go.
Pastor: Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Women: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
Men: You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
Pastor: For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
Women: You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:
Men: In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
Pastor: For we are brought to an end by Your anger; by Your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
Women: For all our days pass away under Your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;
Men: Yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
ALL: Who considers the power of Your anger, and Your wrath according to the fear of You? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
TIME FOR PRAYER
P: As we turn to a New Year, let us do so by asking God to guide us, enlighten us, and strengthen us for what lies ahead. Let us pray…. O God,
C: You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
P: Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us;
C: through Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
CHOIR ANTHEM “Silent Is the Night” By Jay Althouse
TIME FOR GOD’S WORD
Numbers 6:22-27 Aaronic Benediction
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
MESSAGE “God’s New Year’s Wish for You”
P: God who supplies our every need has given us this meal to share.
C: Lord, we thank You for the bread of eternal life.
P: We come to the table, knowing that we need the strength that comes from the body and blood of Jesus.
C: Lord, we thank You for the bread of eternal life.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
DISTRIBUTION (Music)
CLOSING HYMN: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” LBW 551
Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee, Praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee, Earth and heav’n reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, All who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine!