December 18, 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
Introit: Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Mendelssohn, arr. Tolosko
While We Are Waiting, Come
Cloninger/Cason
While we are waiting, come; while we are waiting, come.
Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel, while we are waiting, come.
Advent Candle Lighting
[Isaiah 2:4, 11:6, 35:1, 7:14b]
Alida and Ben Gowan
We light these candles with love, joy, 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.
The Lord shall give you a sign.
Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son,
and shall name him Immanuel (God is with us).
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
(repeat While We Are Waiting, Come)
Call to Worship
[Luke 1:48-53]
God has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servants.
The Mighty One has done great things for us; holy is his name.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
He has filled the hungry with good things.
Let us worship the LORD!
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.
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.
Confession
God of history, you reveal your love in Jesus, in scripture, and in our relationships. You guide those who want to do right but wrestle with difficult circumstances. As Joseph chose to protect Mary when she became pregnant, help us care for the vulnerable. Forgive us when we are afraid to do the right thing. Forgive us when we play it safe rather than risking and welcoming love. Help us experience your love in new ways this Christmas. Amen.
Silence
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (Hymn 28)
Medieval Latin/German folk tune
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
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
In Bethlehem a Babe was Born (Hymn 34)
Barbara 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)
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Phil Wikoff
Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-16
New Testament: Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon: Dream Weaver
Focus: The surprises of Christmas unfold into great love.
Response: He Shall Feed His Flock/Come Unto Him
Handel
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 Our Gifts: O Come, Little Children
Schmid
Jeannie Lee, Katriel Starbuck, violins; YunJoung Park, piano
Doxology
Smart/Salisbury Hymn Book
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:
One in might and One in glory while unending ages run.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Tell Out, My Soul, The Greatness of the Lord
Greatorex, arr. Manz
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
