ORDER OF WORSHIP
DECEMBER 15, 2024 10:30 AM
THIRD DAY OF ADVENT
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Philippians 4)
Leader: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
PEOPLE: Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Leader: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
PEOPLE: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
INVOCATION
Dearest Lord, we join together in rejoicing our love and adoration for you and for the long-awaited arrival of he, whom you sent to live and dwell among us, to teach us the way to faith and love. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “The King of Glory Comes” Red #134
CALL TO CONFESSION
In these busy times in our busy lives, we often lose sight of the true beacon that lights our way along faith’s journey. Let us reach out to that true light as we pray together.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
God of all revelation, we know that we have often closed our hearts to your will. In this season of Advent, bring us closer to you and your awesome power of both love and forgiveness. The brokenhearted seek comfort and those in mourning await healing. Forgive us our failing to heed your call to faith and confront us once again with your compelling and challenging words, even as you comfort us with it, as manifested in Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
My fellow seekers of understanding, believe in the word of our Lord, and the comfort of Scripture even as we struggle to live within the wisdom of the prophets. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES CREED (Traditional)
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.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” Red # 171
SPECIAL ANTHEM “Mary Did You Know?” Choral Ensemble
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul. Pour out on us the spirit of wisdom and understanding that our hearts and minds may be opened. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Zephaniah 3:14-20 John Safran
GOSPEL READING: Luke 3: 7-18
SERMON MESSAGE: Rejoice, Rejoice, the Lord is Near John Redman, CRE
TITHES And OFFERINGS:
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “In the Bleak Midwinter”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional 1
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORDS PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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.
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Let There Be Peace on Earth” Follow the video
RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
Leader: Now may the Love of God light your way on our journeys together;
PEOPLE: And the Peace of Christ follow with you, behind you and above you.
Leader: May the flame of Hope be ever in your hearts and prayers
PEOPLE: And may the Holy Spirit hover over us with wings of wisdom.
ALL: Amen
POSTLUDE “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers!” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
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