Welcome to

The New Church

(Swedenborgian) Serving the Community Since 1812

Todays Officiant: Aleksandar Zikic

Soloist: Elissa Weiss Piano: Earl Buys

The New York New Church 114 East 35th Street, New York, NY Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1478, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10156 Phone & Fax: 212-685-8967 Email: swedenborg 1@verizon.net Visit our website: www.newyorknewchurch.org For more information about Swedenborg and the Swedenborgian Church, visit the web site: www.swedenborg.org

December 26th 2010

Order of Worship
December 26th, 2010

Welcome Prelude Opening of the Word Call to Worship And it will be said in that day: Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Opening Hymn: Angels from the Realms of Glory Psalm 132 Readings from the Word Luke 2:1-20

Reading from the Heavenly Doctrines Apocalypse Explained 706 [12] If it had pleased the Lord He might have been born in a most splendid palace, and have been laid in a bed adorned with precious stones; but He would thus have been with such as were in no doctrine of truth, and there would have been no heavenly representation. He is also said to have been "wrapped in swaddling clothes," because "swaddling clothes" signify first truths, which are truths of innocence, and which are also truths of the Divine love; for "nakedness," in reference to a babe, signifies deprivation of truth. From this it is clear why it was said by the angels, "This is a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."

Congregational and Pastoral Prayer The Lords Prayer Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen. Hymn: As With Gladness Men of Old Sermon The Shepherds in the Field Musical Interlude Offering Doxology To Jesus Christ be glory given By all on Earth and all in Heaven. Let His dominion wide extend. His glorious Kingdom have no end. Affirmation of Faith We worship the One God, the Lord the Savior Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, in whom is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; whose humanity is divine. He came into the world and took our nature upon him. He endured temptation, even to the Passion of the Cross. He overcame the hells, and so delivered all. Without this, no mortal could have been saved; and they are saved who believe in Him, and keep the commandments of His Word. This is His commandment; that we love one another, as he has loved us.

Announcements Closing Hymn: Brightest and Best Benediction Closing of the Word Postlude