Bulletin: December 28, 2025

FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
A Service of Poetry and Prose
December 28, 2025 | 11:00am

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Prelude  Adam Waite, Minister of Music

Welcome
Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist

*Passing of the Peace

*Gathering Hymn
143  Angels from the Realms of Glory  (Regent Square)

*Call to Worship
Leader: In this in-between time, we gather.
People: With what we carry, and with what we seek.
Leader: God is already here, dwelling among us.
People: We open ourselves to presence, to word, to wonder.

LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD

Word to the Children  Sandy Prouty, Minister of Children and Families
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that this service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.

God Enters the Human Story

Scripture  Doug Easton
John 1:1-18

Hymn
124  Still, Still, Still  (Still, Still, Still)

The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman  Colleen Maki, Youth Ministry Fellow
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.

Hymn
145  What Child Is This  (Greensleeves)

Where do you experience God’s Presence?

RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE

God Embraces Vulnerability

Kenosis by Luci Shaw  Sandy Prouty
In sleep his infant mouth works in and out.
He is so new, his silk skin has not yet
been roughed by plane and wooden beam
nor, so far, has he had to deal with human doubt.
He is in a dream of nipple found,
of blue-white milk, of curving skin
and, pulsing in his ear, the inner throb
of a warm heart’s repeated sound.
His only memories float from fluid space.
So new he has not pounded nails, hung a door
broken bread, felt rebuff, bent to the lash,
wept for the sad heart of the human race.

Hymn
132  Good Christian Friends, Rejoice  (In Dulci Jubilio)

God Dwells With Us

O Emmanuel by Malcolm Guite  Rev. Clover Beal, Co-Pastor
O come, O come, and be our God-with-us
O long-sought With-ness for a world without,
O secret seed, O hidden spring of light.
Come to us Wisdom, come unspoken Name
Come Root, and Key, and King, and holy Flame,
O quickened little wick so tightly curled,
Be folded with us into time and place,
Unfold for us the mystery of grace
And make a womb of all this wounded world.
O heart of heaven beating in the earth,
O tiny hope within our hopelessness
Come to be born, to bear us to our birth,
To touch a dying world with new-made hands
And make these rags of time our swaddling bands.

Where do you see God at work in the world?

Homily
Incarnational Work
Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist

Hymn
136  Go, Tell It on the Mountain  (American Negro Spiritual)

This morning’s singing of “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. All are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”), at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts  
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.

All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.