Service for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 23, 1007:  10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                             What Is This Lovely Fragrance?                          arr. T. Waugh

                                                       Silent Night, Holy Night                                   arr. A. Zabel

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHIMES & LIGHTING THE CANDLES ON THE WREATH                 Ruth Thompson

Congregation & choir sing Verses 1-4 “Light One Candle”

 

*PRAYER ASKING GOD’S PRESENCE                                             Psalm 80:1-3 (NRSV)

            Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!

                 You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

                        before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.

            Stir up your might, and come to save us.

                 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

                 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 53                                                                What Child Is This

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                       from Call to Worship

            God, you are both tender and mighty—a shepherd we can trust.

            You call to us and gather us.

            You feed us and bid us rest in your care.

            Still we fear the world around us and fail to seek your help when we are lost.

            Still we struggle foolishly against you—

refusing your comfort and ignoring your commands.

            Renew and restore us, Lord of hosts.

            Show the light of your face, that we may be saved.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE    

            Friends, we see the love of God shining in the face of Christ.

                 Thank God that in Christ we are forgiven and saved. 

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

                  Peace be with you.

(worshipers extend Christ’s peace by word and gesture)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                                            Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                           I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day                         arr. L. Larson

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                             Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)     

SERMON                                                                                                   “Dream Come True”                                           

           

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            OFFERTORY                          Wonderful Peace                                      G. Nordgvist

 

PRAYERS OF DEDICATION, THANKS & INTERCESSION, THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 26                                                          Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                           Carillon on a Ukrainian Bell Carol                               G. Near

                    

Next Week’s Scriptures:  Isaiah 63: 7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrew 2: 10-18; Matthew 2: 13-23

 

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgist 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Word with Children

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Overbrook Belles

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy W. Deeth, Organist