Prelude
Welcome
Lighting the Advent Wreath
Hymn Light the Advent Candle v.1-3 (FWS 2090)
Call to Worship
Leader: In all times and in all places, God is with us.
People: God’s love flows over us and around us.
Leader: Hope lifts our hearts because of our great God.
People: We shout for joy and sing praises to Jesus.
Leader: The presence of the Holy Spirit transforms us.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen.
Hymn The First Noel (UMH 245)
Pastor’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (UMH 895)
Children’s Message
Hymn The Friendly Beasts (UMH 227)
Scripture Luke 2:8-14
Leader: The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Message Heaven and Nature Sing
Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (UMH 224)
Prayer of Confession
God of joy, we celebrate you this season. In the busyness of the holiday, we sometimes forget to rejoice fully in you. Remind us, forgive us, and turn us toward you. Guide us to draw closer to you, dear Jesus. Amen.
Giving Our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
Doxology UMH 94
Prayer of Thanksgiving
During this season of waiting and anticipation, we are reminded to stay alert for the coming of your Son. Jesus’ love often comes into our lives in quiet, unexpected ways. Today, we generously respond to your compassion and commit ourselves to living in a manner worthy of your love. In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, the Savior, we pray. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Affirmation of Faith (UMH 880)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Sending Forth Joy to the World (UMH 246)
Benediction
Postlude
