"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23, NLT).
This service celebrates God’s faithfulness as expressed in the faith of God’s people and summarized in the words of the Apostles’ Creed. Originally designed to be used with the celebration of the New Year because it connects the creed to different aspects of the Christian year, it can easily be adapted for any occasion of worship. Though it doesn’t follow the exact pattern of the liturgical calendar, it does highlight significant moments in the Christian year and gives opportunity to reflect on the larger narrative the calendar is meant to unfold.
—RW
We Believe
Prelude
Call to Worship
We gather today to worship God.
We believe in the Father, who created us.
We believe in the Son, who died and rose to save us.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who equips us to serve.
With joyful hearts, let us worship our triune God.
God’s Greeting
Passing the Peace
Creation / Providence / Thanksgiving
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Reading
Genesis 1:1–2, 27
Sung Response
“How Great Thou Art” Chisholm
Advent / Christmas
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
Readings
Isaiah 9:6–7, Matthew 1:18–25
Sung Response
“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” vs. 1–3 Brooks
Prayer of Confession
Option 1: For the beginning of a new year
For all the things we have done wrong in the past
against God and against people,
we now ask the Lord and one another to forgive us.
Silent confession
LORD Jesus, yours are the seasons and the ages.
Give us a new heart and a new spirit:
LORD, have mercy.
LORD, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you are the beginning and the end
of all that is, including our lives.
Make a new beginning with all of us:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
LORD Jesus, you breathe your Spirit on all creation.
Make our old world new again:
LORD, have mercy.
LORD, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, LORD,
and let your forgiveness and love
come down on us day after day.
Lead us to everlasting life.
Amen.
—from Liturgy Alive: Models of Celebration, Claretian Missionaries of East Asia © Bibleclaret 2023. All Rights Reserved. Bibleclaret.org
Option 2: For general use.
O God, in the beginning you spoke,
and creation was born, the object of your loving care.
In the fullness of time you spoke,
and the Word became flesh, Jesus, gift of your love.
We wonder at the miracle of creation;
we stand in awe before the mystery of the incarnation.
Forgive us earthbound creatures, feeble in faith,
empty in hope, lacking in love.
—from Pray to the Lord: Prayers for Corporate Worship. The Commission on Worship, Reformed Church in America. Reformed Church Press, 1988. Used by permission.
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. . . .
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
Amen.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–1893), “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” v. 4, P.D.
Sung Prayer
“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” v. 4 Brooks,
Epiphany
Words of Assurance
Beloved of God, our God hears our prayers of confession and forgives us our sin. Jesus Christ has come to bring light and forgiveness to all people. Listen to these words from Isaiah:
Reading
Isaiah 60:1–3
Suggestions for a Sung Response
“Shine on Us” Smith & Smith
“Arise, Your Light Is Come!” Duck
“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” Wordsworth
Offering Introduction
Christ came to be a light to this world, to gather to himself all people, including you and me. Out of gratitude for the salvation we have experienced and in order to join the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing the light of Christ to all places, we give back some of what God has given to us through the giving of this offering.
Offering
Prayer of the People
Ash Wednesday / Lent / Holy Week
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
Readings
Isaiah 53:1–7; Mark 15:22–30; Philippians 2:5–8
Sung Response
“In Christ Alone” Getty & Townend
Easter
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
The third day Christ rose again from the dead.
Reading
Mark 16:1–7
Sung Response
“See, What a Morning” Getty & Townend
Ascension of Our Lord / Christ the King
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
Christ ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Reading
Acts 1:1–11
Sung Response
“Crown Him with Many Crowns” Bridges,
Pentecost / Trinity Sunday
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
We believe in the Holy Spirit.
Reading
Acts 2:1–12
Sung Response
“Wonderful, Merciful Savior” Rogers & Wyse
Unity of the Church / Communion of the Saints
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
We believe in the holy catholic church
and the communion of saints.
Reading
1 John 4:7–8
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
We believe in the forgiveness of sins.
Reading
John 3:16–17
Encouragement and Challenge from the Elders or Pastor
[This is an opportunity for the elders or pastors to provide a short message, reflect on the state of your local church, or offer encouragement for living one’s faith boldly in everyday life.]
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Testimony of Faith
Beloved of God, what do you believe?
We believe in the resurrection of the body
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Reading
Luke 21:25–28; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7
Spoken response
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
God’s Blessing
Revelation 1:4–6
Sung Response
“Sing to the King” Foote & Horne
