Service for the Third Sunday of Advent

December 17, 2006: 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

In this first season, wait and wait with silence as prelude

to the nativity of our Lord

 

PRELUDE                       Were You There on That Christmas Night?                      N. Sleeth

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS & REGISTRATION

           

PRELUDE                                   Worship the Newborn King                               C. Dobrinski                                  

 

*LIGHTING THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE

        Light One Candle, Stanza 1, 2 & 3 (See Insert)

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP & AFFIRMATION OF FAITH      

Luke 1:46—55 (The Book of Common Worship)

 

               Response:  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

                                  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

           

            My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

                  for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.

            From this day all generations will call me blessed:

                 you, the Almighty, have done great things for me and holy is your name.

            You have mercy on those who fear you, from generation to generation.  R

 

            You have shown strength with your arm, and scattered the proud in their conceit,

                  casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.

            You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.  R

 

            You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,

                  to remember the promise of mercy,

                  the promise made to our forebears, to Abraham and his children for ever.  R

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 23                                          Angels We Have Heard on High

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                                                   Philippians 4: 4-7

 

*THE PEACE

 

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

     Peace be with you. (worshipers share words and gestures of peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

ANTHEM                                      The Birthday of a King                                           J. Wade

(See Insert and Sing When Directed)

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                            Luke 3: 7-18 (NRSV)       

SERMON                                                                                                                “Download”

 

 RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD

     Call to Respond:           Minute for Christmas Joy Offering 

     Offertory                         Good Christian Friends, Rejoice        German Carol/J. Ferguson

                         

PRAYERS OF DEDICATION, THANKS AND INTERCESSION

            THE LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)                                                      Hymnal Pg. 16

           

GO IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN # 37                                                                                     Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

 

*CHARGE

 

POSTLUDE & BLESSING                        Silent Night                          Gruber/C. Moklebust

(Congregation seated for Postlude)

 

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Scriptures: Mic. 5: 2-5; Luke 1: 47-55; Heb. 10: 5-10; Isa. 9: 2-7; Ps. 96

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgists 

Reverend Thomas Mori, Phd., Honorably Retired; Fred Shaffer

Sermon

Reverend William R. Leety

Word with Children

Reverend Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Chancel Chimes

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist