Order of Worship
December 22nd, 2024 (Candle of Love)
10:00 AM
(The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C)
Prelude: “Awake, God’s Voice is Calling Us” Gottfried August “Once He Came in Blessing” Heinrich Buttstedt
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.
Introit: “Watcher, Tell Us of the Night” John Bowring/Joseph Parry
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: All through this season of Advent, we have encountered Hope, Peace, and Joy.
People: Today, Belief and Love are the themes.
Leader: Today, we will hear the story of surprising commitment.
People: We will learn of Mary and God’s incredible love.
Leader: Today, we will be challenged to believe in all God can do.
People: Open our hearts, O God, that we may be ready for your love. AMEN.
Lighting the Advent Candle of Love
Candle Lighting Hymn: “One Candle is Lit” #128 (verse #4)
Reader 1: (pastor) Today, we light four candles- the first Candle is called HOPE, a reminder that God’s promises are true.
Reader 2: The second Candle is called PEACE, God’s gentle, loving peace for our lives.
Reader 1: (pastor) The third Candle is called JOY because of God’s absolute presence in our lives.
Reader 2: The fourth Candle is called LOVE because of God’s great love for us.
Reader 1: (pastor) Come, all is ready. Let the light of these candles, called HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE, bring brightness to your spirits.
*GATHERING HYMN: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (Of Eternal Love Begotten) #104
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Loving Creator of All, through your Holy Spirit be with us this morning as we encounter Mary and hear of the wondrous news that she received. Remind us that, like Mary, each one of us is a bearer of your Good News. We are called to proclaim hope, peace, joy, and love in your name. Open our hearts and our spirits today to receive with great joy the love that you have for us. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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 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
STATEMENT OF FAITH: (Unison) We believe in God, known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “My Soul Gives Glory to My God” #130
WORD OF GOD: Luke 1: 39- 45, (46-55)
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Mary’s Song of Praise
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
The Sermon Title: “Words of Wisdom, Let it Be” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service if you like.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer:
Choral Response: “Into My Heart” Harry Clarke
CALL TO GIVING: Loving Creator of All, you blessed Mary by making her the mother of your only Son, Jesus Christ. You have blessed us, as well, with the gift of your Son and, indeed, with the gift of life itself. Out of all these blessings, we give you back these offerings this day. Knowing that your promises will be fulfilled, we pledge our lives to you in anticipation of the coming of the one who brings us peace. Amen.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “In the Bleak Midwinter: Gina Sprunger
*Doxology (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison): Loving God, we gather to celebrate your presence with us and offer you our praise, prayers, love, and obedience. Through the gifts of Your Spirit, you abide with us and in us. We rejoice in Your love for us and in the life we have been given through the sacrifice of Your Beloved, Jesus Christ. Open our eyes to recognize Your presence here among us; open our hearts to the love that You have for us; open our minds to the truth You would reveal. All glory and praise to You, Triune God, now and forevermore. Amen
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” # 119
Benediction: God asks us if we will be God’s people. Our hearts want to shout, “Yes!” Go into the world, feeling God’s healing presence in your lives. Tell others about God’s love. Do not be afraid! God is truly with you. AMEN.
Postlude: “Come, Thou-Expected Jesus” Wilbur Held