ORDER OF WORSHIP - DECEMBER 21ST, 2025
- Union Church
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
ORDER OF WORSHIP
DECEMBER 21ST, 2025 10:30 AM
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – LOVE
**Kindly stand if you are able
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship Service unless NECESSARY for medical reasons.
PRELUDE John Coates
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE – Cathy McCarty
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 80)
LEADER: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
PEOPLE: You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth!
LEADER: Stir up your might, and come to save us!
PEOPLE: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
LEADER: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
ALL: let your face shine, that we may be saved.
INVOCATION
Christ, the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself, lives in us. Strengthen us, give us life, and we will call on your name today and every day.
**OPENING HYMN “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Red #133
CALL TO CONFESSION
Advent means “come” or “coming.” The Lord comes to us so that we may GO to him freely and boldly asking for grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Let us do that now.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Our God and King, who else can we go to? You have the words of eternal life. And, you earnestly desire us to be your children and friends. We are not always “good” disciples as we are still learning what that means. So, we come as your kids seeking grace to continue our walk as students of Jesus of Nazareth. Forgive our foolish behavior before you. Help us not only to hear the Word but do the Word. We will give you all the praise and glory. In Christ’s name. Amen.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Jesus died and rose again from the dead, the first of many to come. Therefore, we may claim him as our savior and the one who speaks to our soul, “You are forgiven!”
**GLORIA PATRI Back of Red Book Cover
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (adapted from Colossians 3:12-17)
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” Red #132
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Holy Spirit, thank you for opening our hearts and minds to the Word. Give us wisdom and understanding of discipleship as it relates to the One who says, “Follow me.”
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 7:10-16 Theresa Cotanche
NEW TESTAMENT Romans 1:1-7
GOSPEL Matthew 1:18-25
SERMON MESSAGE “Just A Dream?” Rev. Dr. Peter T. Johnson
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S 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 us 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.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Since you love the cheerful giver and we love you, we joyfully give back to you a portion of what’s generously been given to us. We do it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
OFFERTORY “I Surrender All” Red #579
**DOXOLOGY Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)
**PRAYER OF THANKS
All we have comes from you. Therefore, like the loaves and fishes, we ask you to
multiply these gifts for the work you’ve assigned this Body of Christ. Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” Red #171
BENEDICTION
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13
POSTLUDE “My Jesus, I Love Thee” Red #100
Blessings!
Rev. Dr. Peter T. Johnson
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
(845) 562-0954
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