PRELUDE: Advent (based on “Veni, Emmanuel”) Craig Courtney; Julie Metz, violin
[Sung in Latin – Translation:] O come, Emmanuel. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Emmanuel.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP, WITH LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH by the Hall Family
Advent Candle Blessings by Barbara Wallace; Julie Metz, violin
The fourth Advent Candle is the candle born of Peace. Unto us a child is given. And ever his kingdom shall never cease. Everlasting Father, prince of peace. The first Advent Candle is the candle of Love the second, our Hope and delight; the third Advent Candle, our joy from above, and Peace is the fourth now alight. [Alice Carpenter]
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
HYMN: O Come, All Ye Faithful [Adeste Fideles]
PRAYER OF PRAISE
INTROIT: Holy Emmanuel, God with Us Ever by Paul D. Weber; Julie Metz, violin
Holy Emmanuel, God with us ever, promised from long ago, the One True Light: come, fill us with your grace, scatter the darkness, Holy, Holy Emmanuel. Holy Emmanuel, child of the Most High, Word, full of grace and truth, in flesh and blood: may we perceive your light amidst the darkness, Holy, Holy Emmanuel. Holy Emmanuel, keep us together. Unite our lives through prayer, love never ends. Comfort and fill our hearts with your strong presence, Holy, Holy Emmanuel. Holy Emmanuel, hope for tomorrow: brighten the path we walk to endless day. Until you come again we trust your promise, Holy, Holy Emmanuel
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
SONG OF GRATITUDE: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice [in Dulci Jubilo]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 1:18-25
HYMN: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Jesus, the Light of the World) [We’ll Walk in the Light]
SERMON: “God’s Intervention and Invasion”
ANTHEM: Away in a Manger by Thomas Keesecker; Julie Metz, violin
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; the stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love You, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask You to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Your tender care and fit us for heaven, to live with You there. [Sts. 1-2 from Little Children’s Book, 1885; St. 3 from Vineyard Songs, 1892]
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS, WITH PRAYER
JC Chinmoun and Erica Estrada Magallanes
HYMN: What Child Is This [Greensleeves]
BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE & POSTLUDE: Go Tell it Where I Send Thee by Pepper Choplin; Julie Metz, violin
Children, go where I send thee. Go, tell it on the mountain. How shall I send thee? Over the hills and everywhere. Children, go where I send thee. Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born. He is born, born in Bethlehem. Children, go where I send thee. How shall I send thee? I’m gonna send thee one by one, one for the little bitty Baby, born, born, born in Bethlehem. Down in a lowly manger, the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. Down in a lowly manger, Go, tell it on the mountain, the humble Christ was born, everywhere, and God sent us salvation. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. Now, children, go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. I’m gonna send thee one by one. I’m gonna send thee two by two. I’m gonna send thee, three by three to go where I send thee. Go, tell it on the mountain. How shall I send thee? Over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born, born in Bethlehem.
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