January 1, 2004
Watch Night/New Year

B. J. Beu

Color

White

Scripture Readings

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalms 8:1; Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25:31-46

Theme Ideas

This is a time for reflection and anticipation. Rather than judging the past year by how happy or successful we were, God reminds us that weeping, tearing down, and lying fallow are all part of the seasons and rhythms of life. The true barometer of our lives comes from how we treat the living Christ: by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and comforting those who mourn. As we look with anticipation to the new year, we place our trust in the One whose glory is beheld in the new heaven and new earth -- the One who will wipe away every tear.

Call to Worship (Ecclesiastes 3)

God creates the seasons of our lives.
Thanks be to God!
In seasons of rejoicing, we do not laugh alone.
Thanks be to God!
In seasons of mourning, we do not weep alone.
Thanks be to God!
When we sow and when we reap, we are not alone.
Thanks be to God!
We worship the One who holds our past, present,
and future.
Thanks be to God!

Call to Worship (Psalms 8:1)

O God, you are wonderful, how majestic is your name!
We behold your glory in the heavens!
What are human beings that you are mindful of us?
What are mortals that you care for us?
Yet you create us in your image.
We behold your glory in one another.
You entreat us to care for your creatures.
We behold your glory in the works of your hands.
O God, you are wonderful, how majestic is your name!

Call to Worship (Matthew 25)

Christ is the Good Shepherd, protector of God's sheep.
Christ calls us into God's flock and watches over us.
Christ rewards our faithful service with the gift
of eternal life.
Because we belong to the Shepherd, we rest secure in
God's love.

Contemporary Gathering Words (Ecclesiastes 3)

God brings us to a new year.
Rejoice and be glad!
God brings us to new seasons of joy and hope.
Rejoice and be glad!
God shares our pain in seasons of sadness and loss.
Rejoice and be glad!
God desires that we enjoy our lives.
Rejoice and be glad!

Praise Sentences (Psalms 8:1)

God's name is above all names.
The works of God are a wonder to behold.
God fills us with glory. Praise God's holy name!

Opening Prayer (Revelation 21)

O God our hope,
in you we see the promise of a new heaven and new
earth.
You dwell among us and call us to be your people.
May our lives reflect the wonder of your presence.
May our actions be worthy of the One who wipes away
every tear, that others may lift their eyes
and behold your glory.
We pray this in name of the Alpha and the Omega,
the first and the last, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Opening Prayer (New Year)

Eternal God,
foundation of all that is, and was, and is to be,
bless us as we come to a new year.
Help us forgive ourselves for our past failings,
and open our eyes to possibilities that lie before us.
Guide our footsteps,
that the coming year may bring the joy
of your presence to those we meet. Amen.

Opening Prayer (Psalms 8:1)

Great Spirit, Light of all light, and Truth of all truth,
your care is beheld in all creation.
We behold your power in the mighty waters of the sea.
We see your beauty in the fair flowers of the meadow,
and in the deep forest green.
Your strength fills the lion and the bear with power.
And the glory of your image shines forth in your people.
Open our eyes,
that we may see our connection with all living things.
Open our hearts,
that we may reach out to one another,
for we are all part of one great family. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Matthew 25)

Holy God,
we have not always loved you as we ought.
We praise you with our lips,
yet we are silent about those who are hungry
and want for clothing.
We lift up our eyes to behold your glory,
but we turn our gaze away from the homeless
and the needy.
Forgive us Lord,
when we are quicker to proclaim our faith in you,
than we are to live that faith.
Help us to think of the welfare of others
as often as we think of our own welfare,
that we might hear our names called among the faithful,
when you come again in glory. Amen.

Benediction (Ecclesiastes 3)

Every season in life is a blessing from God.
We rejoice in God's blessings!
Every purpose under heaven is part of God's plan.
We rejoice in God's blessings!
God wishes us to be happy and fulfilled.
We rejoice in God's blessings!

Copyright © 2003 by Abingdon Press