Worship Service December 8, 2024
Order of Service
Gathering-Lighting the Candles with Light of Christ Instrumental Joyceline
Chapel Chimes by M. Greenwald
Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction Rev. Kim Clardy/All
* Call to Worship – Advent Wreath Rev. Kim Clardy/All
Advent Wreath Chorus Lyrics at end of Order of Worship below
* Opening Prayer Rev. Kim Clardy/All
Gracious God, we gather today in this Advent season.
We desire to live our lives in your presence, but sometimes our busyness
keeps us from hearing your voice.
We are getting ready for Christmas, but sometimes we neglect to get ready
to receive the Christ of Christmas into our very lives.
Now we lay aside the frenzied whirlwind of activity,
to once again, hear your small voice.
We have come here by many paths, and the road this week
has not always been smooth.
In the midst of all the whims of life, we trust that we, with all humankind,
will see God’s salvation.
“Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today,” we say in Jesus’ name. Amen
(Invocations and Benedictions for the Common Revied Lectionary, John M. Drescher, p.104)
* Hymn for the Season Hail to the Lord’s Anointed UMH 203
Life of the Church (announcements) Rev. Kim Clardy (see bulletin)
Mission Moment – Pray over Toys that may have come in
Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed UMH 881 Sheri King/All
Gloria Patri UMH 071
OFFERING OF OURSELVES
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Clardy/All
Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings Joyceline Huennekens instrumental
Dedication & Offertory Rev. Kim Clardy
* Doxology UMH 095
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Centering Song What Child is This? Anna Bradley
PROCLAMATION
Prayer of Illumination Gary Seiler
Everlasting God,
whose tenacious love holds us:
make our hearts the house of your truth,
and make our minds the realm of your wisdom
so that our fellowship will become your dwelling place,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Canticle of Zechariah Reading UMH 208 Gina Elrod
* Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem UMH 230
Scripture Luke 3:1-6; Isaiah 9:2-7 Rev. Kim Clardy
Message Bethlehem as Foretold Rev. Kim Clardy
GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST
* Closing Hymn Angels From the Realms of Glory UMH 220
Commissioning & Benediction Rev. Kim Clardy
Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God
Advent Wreath Choruses to the tune of Away in a Manger
Advent 1
A Candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessing from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
Advent 2
A Candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease;
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
Advent 3
A candle is burning, a candle of joy.
A candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy,
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
Advent 4
A candle is burning, a candle of love.
A candle to point us to heaven above.
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth.
For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.
Christmas Eve
We honor messiah with Christ Candle’s lame
Our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim
O come all you faithful, rejoice in this night,
As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light.
Note – “A Candle is Burning is by Sandra Dean, 1986.
Music is “Away In A Manger” by James Murray 1887.
