Service for the Lord’s Day: December 11, 2005

3rd Sunday of Advent: 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Worship begins with the prelude.  Please speak softly enough

to allow worshipers to pray and to prepare for time with God and God’s people.

 

 

PRELUDE                                         Joy to the World!                                        arr. L. Larson

 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

PRELUDE                 Emmanuel with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel                  arr. J. Raney                                             

 

CHORAL INTROIT                       Christmas Hymn (vs. 1-3)                            arr. H. Jungst  

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE & ADVENT WREATH

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                             Isaiah 61: 10-11 (NRSV)

I will sing for joy in God,

    explode in praise from deep in my soul!

God dressed me up in a suit of salvation,

    outfitted me in a robe of righteousness

as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo

    and a bride a jeweled tiara.

For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,

    and as a garden cascades with blossoms,

 

So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom

    and puts praise on display before the nations.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 20                                        Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                 Mary’s Song, Luke 1: 47-55 (NRSV)

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

 he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

 

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

  to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

 

*THE PEACE

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

           Peace be with you.

(Worshipers greet one another with words and gestures of God’s peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

  

ANTHEM                                            African Noel                                        arr. A. Thomas                                        

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                          Isaiah 61: 1-11 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                 

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

AN OFFERING OF OURSELVES TO GOD

            Call to Respond

            Offertory                                  Mary, Go Tell It!                                    arr. M. Hayes                   

*Hymn # 592                                          Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

            Prayer of Dedication

 

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND INTERCESSION, THE LORD’S PRAYER

        

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 31                                                                          Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING                                                                                                                             

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #14 (vs. 3)                    Savior of the Nations, Come

 

POSTLUDE          Variations on Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ( IV and V)           J. Linker                                       

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Scriptures:  2 Sam. 7: 1-11; Luke 1: 47-55; Ps. 89: 1-4; Rom. 16: 25-27

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgists 

 Rev. Linda McClanahan

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Rev. Linda McClanahan

Musical Leadership

Celebration Singers

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist

 

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PRAYER                                              Reverend Jonathan C. Siehl

Creator God, you mint us in your image. You press into our being a spirit that mirrors your Spirit. Give us discernment to nurture impressions of spirit, to seek in the murky depths of our being stirrings of the spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In generosity, we spend a coin of the realm in your kingdom. Turn your Spirit in us loose in your realm, that love may abound, Turn your Spirit in us loose in your kingdom here and now, that generosity may abound. Free up your spirit of generosity in us, that we may give our material wealth with abandon, for your kingdom in this church, in this city, in this place. Amen.