Prelude Savior of the Nations, Come, BWV 659, J. S. Bach Joe Galema, Organist Hymn Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates, Hymnal, Page 213

*Lighting of the Candle

Call to Worship Todd Spencer

Leader: This is the time of Advent. People: Carols are sung; the ears of the heart awaken and listen. Leader: Candles glow; children's eyes grow wide with wonder. People: The stars twinkle; heads tilt back in a moment of awe. Leader: is stirring in every corner. People: Joy creeps into our hearts and praise leaps from our voices.

Invocation

We come to praise you, O Lord, and to think again about your love for the world as revealed in your gift of our Lord Christ. Open our spiritual eyes that we may see, and understand as best we can, the fuller meaning of the coming of the Savior for us all. In his name. Amen.

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Forgive our impatience, Lord God. Forgive our tendency to take things into our own hands, and to look for swift, simple solutions to all our problems. Instead, teach us your slower, subtler, more sensitive approach, taking time, adding love to intelligence, and trusting you, especially in this Advent when we remember how unpredictably but how triumphantly you acted to set things straight. Give us patience, help us trust. Amen.

Anthem Who is the Guest in the Stable?, Joseph M. Martin Chancel Choir Quartet Steve Harter, Director; Jonathan Faires, Handbells Joe Galema, Organist

Time for Children Marjorie Gross

Words of Welcome

Offertory , arr. Valerie W. Stephenson Celebration Ringers; Jonathan Faires, Director

Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow, Hymnal, Page 94

Affirmation of Faith Hymnal, Page 881 Steve Harter

Hymn Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, Hymnal, Page 203

Scripture Lesson 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, New Testament, Page 1171 Steve Harter

Pastoral Prayer Todd Spencer

Lord’s Prayer

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Special Music The Angel , arr. John Raymond Howell Youth Singers Girls; Emma Palmer, Soloist Matthew Doole, Director; Janice Kinsley, Pianist

Scripture Reading Luke 1:39-45, New Testament, Page 1013

Sermon Mary: Blessing! Kent Ingram

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Closing Hymn O Little Town of , Hymnal, Page 230

Benediction

Postlude Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying, Aaron David Miller Joe Galema, Organist