Sunday, December 19, 2010
4th Sunday of Advent
GATHERING
WELCOME IN THE NAME OF THE SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Fourth Sunday in Advent
PRELUDE MUSIC: Patty Bell
*OPENING HYMN: “O Come All Ye Faithful” UMH 234
TIME WITH YOUTH: **LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE:
(light the first candle)
We light this first candle, reminding us of God’s promise of peace on earth.
(light the second candle)
We light the second candle, reminding us that we are to dispel the darkness of sickness, poverty, injustice, and suffering all around us.
(light the third candle)
We light the third candle, reminding us to be constant and patient in our relationships and in our living.
Matthew 1:18-25 PB, pg. 1
O God, we can only admire the righteousness and trust of Joseph, who—in the f ace of public scorn and humiliation—took upon himself the responsibility of caring for Mary and her unborn child, and who was faithful to your call.
(light the fourth candle)
Lord, may the light of this candle illumine our path through life, so that our way is the way of righteousness, trust, and faithfulness.
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen
SING: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” stanza 1 only UMH 218
INVOCATION:
And the messenger of the Lord came to Mary and Joseph, and the words said were not easy. The requirements that message made upon them were not simple. The word of God brought about life that neither of them imagined. Today we pray that our hearts and minds will be open to hear God’s message for us: a message of hope and grace even amid great stress and anxiety. For unto us a child has been born, Unto us the Son of the Most High has come to dwell within our midst. Amen.
HYMN: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” UMH 230
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we are a people conditioned to measure truth and proof and evidence, by the testimony of witnesses and the testing of our knowledge. In Jesus Christ, you gave us evidence of your supreme love for us, yet we still refuse to accept it. We ignore your still small voice. We dismiss your action in our lives as coincidence. We take credit for blessings rather than receiving then as being from your hand. Scripture is a faithful witness to your grace, yet we fail to avail ourselves of its wisdom. We demand signs of your presence yet are so distracted by the pace of our lives that we never notice that you have, indeed, answered our prayer. Forgive us, Lord, we pray. Forgive our short attention spans, our insatiable desire for the new and glittery and our disdain for the old and familiar. Grant us the grace to be still, to listen, and to respond to the leading of your Spirit. Amen
PARDON
The saying is true and worthy of full acceptance: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Friends, hear the good news and believe: In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Hallelujah! Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: sharing joys and concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS
RESPONSE: “Doxology” UMH 70
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the Beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen
PROCLAMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Holy God, as your Word is read and proclaimed, may we hear it with clarity, receive it with courage, and respond to it with conviction. Amen.
MESSAGE Pastor Gary Kennedy
RESPONSE TO THE WORD: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” UMH240
SENDING FORTH
CIRCLE SONG: “Surely the Presence” UMH 328
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*BLESSING
——————————————————————————————-
*Please stand as you are able.
**Used by permission: copyright 2010 General Board of Discipleship
The Christmas program will be by the youth on Christmas Eve. @ 5:45 pm.
Come let us adore them!
Please bring cookies Christmas Eve for the enjoyment of all Haven’s visitors!