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 Advent 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: Christmas 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 Jesus 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 Joy to the World, 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 Gabriel, 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 Bethlehem, Hymnal, Page 230
Benediction
Postlude Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying, Aaron David Miller Joe Galema, Organist