Order of Service
December 22, 2024 ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ 52 for the Journey, Week 4
A Time for Centering
We use this time to make the transition between “getting here” and “being here.” Take these few minutes of quiet time to get in touch with the calm places, the still, deep places in you; the spirit. Relax your body, quiet the inner dialogue of your mind. Focus on feeling, on being. Be receptive to your center - your reservoir of inner peace, strength, love. Be aware of being with others. Feel the spirit of community.
PRELUDE Away in a Manger setting, M. Hayes
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT Gloria, In Excelsis Deo Traditional Carol
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Out of the darkness came light
All: And the power of God was revealed:
Men: In the running wave and the flowing air,
Women: In the quiet earth and the shining stars.
Leader: Out of the dust came life
All: And the image of God was revealed.
Men: In the human face and the gentle heart,
Women: In the warmth of flesh and the depth of soul.
Leader: Out of justice came freedom
All: And the wisdom of God was revealed.
*HYMN 155 Angels We Have Heard on High
*OPENING PRAYER
God our deliverer, whose approaching birth
still shakes the foundations of our world,
may we so wait for your coming
with eagerness and hope
that we embrace without terror
the labor pangs of the new age,
through Jesus Christ, Amen.
*THE 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 and ever. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE Abigail Colin, Michael Harper, Naomi Lucero & Ioannis Poulios
Leader: The Mighty One has done great things! Holy is God’s name! The Light of the World is coming!
All: Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.
Leader: God’s mercy endures from generation to generation for those who are in awe of God.
All: The love of God is alive and at large in the world.
Leader: The oppressed are lifted up, and the hungry are satisfied.
All: We see the light of God shining over the land.
Leader: We light a fourth candle in anticipation of the wondrous birth.
All: We will open our hearts that love may have a place to dwell.
HYMN Kindle This Flame
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE The Rev. Dr. Ed Horstmann
Children may now leave for Church School
SCRIPTURE LESSON Psalm 146:5-10 New Revised Standard Version
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. (Reading continued on next page)
The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!
MUSIC Nunc Dimittis M. Praetorius
SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 1:46-55 New Revised Standard Version
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
SERMON Yes! The Rev. Dr. Ed Horstmann
*HYMN 144 O Little Town of Bethlehem
INVITATION TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY ANTHEM My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord M. Praetorius
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*DOXOLOGY
*HYMN My Country ‘Tis of Thee, verse 4
Our fathers’ God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing;
long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light;
protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
PASTORAL PRAYER
CHURCH PRAYER
Our Heavenly Father, shed forth thy blessed spirit upon all our lives. Make each one of us an instrument in thy hands for good. Purify our hearts, strengthen our minds and bodies, fill us with Christian love. Let no pride, no self-conceit, no rivalry, no ill will ever spring up among us. Make us earnest and true, wise and prudent, giving no just cause for offense; and may thy holy peace rest upon us this day and every day throughout the coming week, sweetening our trials, cheering us in our work, and keeping us faithful to the end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN 167 Go, Tell it on the Mountain
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Angels We Have Heard on High setting, M. Hayes