PRELUDE: Prelude on “People Look East” (Besançon, a French Carol) by Robert A. Hobby
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP, WITH LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH by the Sakala Family
Advent Candle Blessings by Barbara Wallace
The third Advent Candle is the candle born of Joy. I will turn your mourning to gladness; give joy from out of sorrow, and hope for tomorrow. The first Advent candle is the candle of Love and the second Hope brings; the third is the Joy that we sing. [Alice Carpenter]
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
HYMN: Angels, from the Realms of Glory [Regent Square]
PRAYER OF PRAISE
INTROIT: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (from “Seven Famous Hymns”) by Noble Cain
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the Earth Thou art; dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Alleluia, Joy of longing heart, Thou long, long expected Jesus! Alleluia, noel. Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious Kingdom bring, by Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne! [Charles Wesley]
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
SONG OF GRATITUDE: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice [In Dulci Jubilo]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 3:11-12
HYMN: Joy to the World [Antioch]
SERMON: “Depending on God”
ANTHEM: O Jesus, Grant Me Hope and Comfort by Johann Wolfgang Franck/arr. by Michael Burkhardt; Maria Schafer, soprano solo
O Jesus, grant me hope and comfort; O let me never in sorrow pine, my heart and soul, yea, all my being, O Jesus, trust alone in Thee. Thou Prince of peace, Thou Pearl from Heaven, true God, true man, my Morning Star! O come thou precious Sun most radiant, Thy beams illumine my heart and soul. O Jesus, with Thy advent quiet my restless soul and anxious mind. In true humility I welcome Thee, Jesus Christ, my Joy divine. My thoughts, desires, and all my longings I dedicate, O Christ to Thee. [William Osterwald]
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
HYMN: Angels We Have Heard on High [Gloria]
BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE: Bless Us, Father by Anna Laura Page
Bless us, Father, as we pray. Help us seek You day by day. Bind us all in heart and mind. Bid all our quarrels cease. Fill the world with Heaven’s peace. Bid all war and hunger cease. Oh, come, Holy Savior, come. Amen.
POSTLUDE: Fanfare on “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” (Wachet auf) by Philipp Nicoloai
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