Order of Worship for Dec. 12: Joy

 

CENTERING PRAYER

Merciful God, you come into our midst longing for communion with us, becoming one of us. Break our resistance to life with you, show us the path toward just relations, and bring us into your unimaginable peace; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 PRELUDE (Sunday Worship)      Carol of the Bells       Hayes 

BELL PRELUDE REFLECTION 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

ADVENT WREATH LITURGY 

We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ. In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! 

Make a highway in the desert for our God. 

From ages of old, no ear has heard, no eye has seen one so glorious as the Lord our God, for whom we wait.

 Every valley shall be lifted, every mountain and hill, made low; 

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. God’s anointed one is coming – 

to bring good news to the oppressed, 

to bind up the brokenhearted, 

to proclaim liberty to the captives, 

and to announce the time of the Lord’s favor. 

Let us live into JOY! 

SPECIAL MUSIC      Christmas is Coming      Raney Chancel Choir 

Drew Davis – drums, Chancel Bells 

† HYMN “Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn” Hymnal #107

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

The Lord is near. In your presence, Holy God, we confess we need repentance. Our hearts are filled with many idols, and we do not live in peace with your creation or your people. We ignore your Word, and fear consumes us. Forgive us, restore us, and turn our shame into praise, for the sake of the One who proclaims the good news and for the sake of all the world. (Silent Confession)

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

†GLORIA PATRI Hymnal #581 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School) 

SPECIAL MUSIC      Suo Gan      arr. by Lamb 

Chancel Bells 

SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:4-7 

SERMON “Choosing Joy” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 

Apostles’ Creed 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. 

SPECIAL MUSIC      Heaven’s Rose       arr. Pethel 

Chancel Choir 

OFFERING      Fit For a King      Martin

 Chancel Choir 

† THE DOXOLOGY Hymnal #606 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Hymnal #129 † 

CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION “Peace On the Earth” 

 POSTLUDE (Sunday Worship)      Von Himmel Hoch       Heuschikel 

† You are invited to stand, as you are able