December 17, 2023
Prelude: O Come, O Come Immanuel
adapt. Thomas Helmore/arr. Jason Tonioli
Ruth Seignemartin
Introit: O Holy Night
Dwight/Adam
“Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is Love and His Gospel is Peace.”
Welcome
Advent Candle Lighting
[Isaiah 2:4, 11:6, 35:1]
Angela & Justin Bloemeke
We light these candles for peace and hope, 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.
In Bethlehem a Babe Was Born (Hymn 34)
Mays
In Bethlehem a babe was born with love enough for all.
While kingdoms slept, the Lord came down to grace a manger stall.
And with a glorious light angels appeared that night,
Refrain:
Singing, “Come, come, Christ is born! Come, come, world forlorn.
The Child of peace and sacrifice is waiting to be found.”
Royalty and shepherds came to worship from afar,
Guided through the long cold night by one persistent star.
As each beheld the Son, strangers became as one, (refrain)
The mystery of Bethlehem was long ago they say,
But, miracle of miracles, the baby lives today
In each new heart that hears Love coming through the years, (refrain)
Confession
Merciful God, lover of justice, your prophets proclaimed good news to your people when they endured the devastations of war and exile. We are continually dismayed by the violence and wars that spring up or drag on. In our Advent waiting, forgive us when we doubt your faithfulness. We know there is much need for repentance, rebuilding and restoration. Have mercy on us when we feel overwhelmed. Help us see not only the ways we are powerless, but also the ways we can do good from where we are planted. Give us strength to trust and cultivate the seeds of your good news. Amen.
Silence
In the Bleak Midwinter (Hymn 36)
Holst/Rossetti
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
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.
Children’s Message
Once in Royal David’s City (Hymn 49)
Gauntlett/Alexander
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall.
With the poor, oppressed, and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.
Jesus is our childhood’s pattern, day by day like us he grew;
He was little, weak and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew;
And he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above;
And he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Gary Guenther
Old Testament: Isaiah 61:1-4
New Testament: John 1:6-8; 19-28
Sermon: Plowing Christmas Fields
Focus: For God’s Christmas to hold seed and bloom, we need to allow our hearts and souls to be
plowed through humble repentance and joyous expectation.
Response: Love Has Come
Bible/French carol
Carollen Ryan
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, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Betsy Hammond
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!
-Luke 2:14b
Offering: Once He Came in Blessing
Pepping
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
Pachelbel
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