December 19 Service (11:00)

4th Sunday of Advent December 19, 2021 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Worship WE GATHER BEFORE GOD WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE Gloria arr. Lani Smith CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Keep watch! For the One who brings peace is coming. People: We wait in anticipation for Christ. Leader: We wait for God’s revealing of joy. Remain alert! People: Love is coming to dwell among us. Hope draws near. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Isaiah spoke to a people called chosen, to a tribe called Israel, with a light of hope. Gabriel came to a town called Nazareth, to a girl called Mary, with a light of joy. Mary went to a place called Bethlehem, to a stable called a nursery, with a light of love. As we light our fourth Advent candle, we rejoice with Mary, for Love has flesh. Come now, O Child of Mary. Come now, O Prince of Love. *HYMN NO. 41 O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels1 O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning. Jesus, to Thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels. Sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God, all glory in the highest! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! CALL TO CONFESSION In our waiting and preparation, we come to rest, again, at the foot of the cross. Even in this season of anticipation, we see the fullness of God’s promised redemption in the waters of baptism. As those who are fully known and redeemed, we confess our sin before God and one another. PRAYER OF CONFESSION O God, giver of all good gifts, we come before you as children in need of your wisdom and grace. Our fears and our hopes are braided together in the rhythm of daily life. Our visions of the future depend on our own hands and ability. Our expectations remain reasonable and within our control. Break into this tangle of fear and hope, bringing peace to our souls. Break into our vision of the future, returning us to your hands. Break into our expectations, awakening us with curiosity and wonder; through Jesus Christ our Lord. SILENT CONFESSION ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE Leader: Christ’s coming is certain. God’s promise is true. Trust in the transformational power of God’s forgiveness and receive the gift of God’s love. People: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to God. *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE O Little Town of Bethlehem (vs. 4) St. Louis O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us . we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel. WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD TAPESTRY OF LIGHT (A CELTIC CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION) Joseph M. Martin PART 1 I – CAROLS OF HOPE AND LIGHT II – AN ADVENT GARDEN III – O HOLY CHILD OF MARY WE RESPOND TO GOD’S GRACE OFFERING *OFFERTORY RESPONSE As with Gladness Men of Old (vs.3) Dix As they offered gifts most rare at the manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ to Thee, our heavenly King. PRAYER OF DEDICATION PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD'S PRAYER (Traditional) PH, pg. 16 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. *HYMN NO. 53 What Child is This? Greensleeves What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherd’s watch are keeping? REFRAIN – This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary! Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. (repeat refrain) So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh. Come one and all to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings. Let loving hearts enthrone Him. (repeat refrain) TAPESTRY OF LIGHT (A CELTIC CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION) Joseph M. Martin PART 2 IV – A CELTIC NOEL V – CAROLS OF THE QUEST VI – A CELTIC GLORIA WE DEPART FOR SERVICE *THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, vs. 6 Christmas All glory be to God on high, and to the earth