December 15, 2024
Prelude: An Irish Carol
trad. Carol, setting Biery
Welcome
Lighting the Advent Candles
[Isaiah 2:4, 11:6, 35:1]
Jeanine and Patrick Gollnick
We light these candles for hope, peace, and joy as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
Advent means coming. We are preparing ourselves for the days
when nations shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion
and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the rose it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
O Sing to the Lord
Brazilian folk song
O sing to the Lord, who came to be with us. (3x)
O sing to our God; O sing to our God.
For God is the Lord, and God has done wonders. (3x)
O sing to our God; O sing to our God.
O sing to the Lord, who lights up our darkness. (3x)
O sing to our God; O sing to our God.
Confession
Faithful God, your prophets admonished people to giving, contentment, and repentance in anticipation of your coming. Forgive us when we grow distracted or complacent and do not pay attention to signs of your presence. Forgive us when we worry about our future and hold tightly to what we have rather than trusting you and sharing with those in need. Renew us with your Spirit’s fire, that we may bear fruits worthy of repentance and embody your good news to all. Amen.
Silence
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Hymn 44)
Redner/Brooks
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
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,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Old Testament Reading
Karen Bart
Isaiah 11:1-9
Guest Presentation
Journey to the Jungle: finding self and other in the silence
Rebecca Stephanis
O Day of Peace (Hymn 450)
Parry/Daw
O day of peace that dimly shines through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
Guide us to justice, truth, and love, delivered from our selfish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands, our hearts from envy find release,
Till by God’s grace our warring world shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, nor shall the fierce devour the small;
As beasts and cattle calmly graze, a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love, all creatures find their true accord;
The hope of peace shall be fulfilled, for all the earth shall know the Lord.
New Testament Reading
Karen Bart
Luke 3:7-14
Homily: Being With rather than Over
Scott Starbuck
Focus: Joy is to be found in accompaniment rather than control and exploitation.
Response: Love Has Come
Bible/French melody
Lisa Phillips, soprano; Ben Fitch, recorder
Love has come: a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high.
Love is born! Come, share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of his mother; what is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers. Love! Love! Jesus, Emmanuel.
Love has come and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas. Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!
Pastoral Prayer & 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Mila Russell
He has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. -Luke 1:48a
Doxology for Advent
To you, O Christ, all praises be, whose advent sets your people free;
Whom with the Father we adore and Holy Spirit evermore!
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: As Joseph Was A-Walking
(Southern Appalachian Carol)
setting Eddings
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
