MORE PEOPLE MORE LIKE CHRIST
9:00am/10:30am Services
December 22, 2024
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 22, 2024 9:00am & 10:30am
PLEASE SILENCE OR PLACE YOUR CELL PHONE ON VIBRATE.
GATHERING
PRELUDE
WORDS OF WELCOME
ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING AND CALL TO WORSHIP
9:00AM Tom and Kay Lyon 10:30AM Vickie and Ernie Johnson
Reader 1: Today is the fourth Sunday in the season of Advent. Advent means “coming,” and in this season we prepare for the coming of Christ. We light the candles on the Advent wreath to remind us of the blessings Christ brings to the world.
Reader 2: Today we light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath, the candle of LOYAL-LOVE. The Scriptures declare, “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them, and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
Congregation: “The Love of Christ compels us.”
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF LOVE
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Reader 1: Let us pray. Dear God, You have given us the greatest gift ever - the ultimate sacrifice of loveYour son, Jesus Christ. Father we thank You for your unconditional love that offers us grace in the midst of our sin. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit who guides us. Thank You for loving us so much. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reader 2: Come let us stand and worship the Lord as we raise our voices in song.
*HYMN (v. 1 and 2) Angels, from the Realms of Glory
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, The holy catholic church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen.
*GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord of Christmas joy, we have done wrong. We have tarnished the Gift You gave freely. We have buried You so deeply in our hearts, the world doesn’t see You. We have not followed Christ, we have ignore Your teachings, we have lived lives of apathy against Your love, we have built fences and fortresses to push people away. Forgive us, we pray. Free us from our sin, free us from our captivity, free us to a life lived in joy through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
ASSURANCE
OF PARDON (1 John 1:9)
Leader: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, let us assure one another of God’s pardon.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM
I Shall Not Be Afraid
Chancel Choir
The Lord is my light and my Savior, my strength, my protector and guide. I run to His arms when in danger, and safe in His shadow I hide.
Refrain Whom shall I fear when God is with me? Whom shall I fear? He shields me in love! His presence surrounds me completely, I shall not be afraid.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
When all of earth’s comforts are lacking, my Lord in His mercy sustains. When all those I’ve trusted forsake me, my God in compassion remains. Refrain
Now only one thing I am seeking, to look on His beautiful face; to live evermore in His presence, and bask in His wonderful grace. Refrain
Spirit of God, speak once again through the Words of Scripture that our listening ears may hear Your voice. Help us to place Your Word in our minds, treasure it in our hearts, choose it with our wills, and live it through our bodies. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Leader: This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S 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.
Isaiah 53:1-12
Page 1053 Pew Bible
CARING
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE
OFFERTORY
Mary Did You Know Mark Lowry Susan Reed, soloist
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to the blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby you’ve kissed the face of God? Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear; the dead will live again!
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb!
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is the Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy was heaven’s perfect Lamb?
And the sleeping Child you’re holding Is the Great I Am!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SERMON
Luke 2:8-20 Page 1459 Pew Bible
The “Fear Not” of the Good News
*HYMN Angels We Have Heard on High
GOING
*BENEDICTION & RESPONSE Go, All Ye Faithful
*POSTLUDE
