Sunday, December 12, 2021
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Carol Suite”
~ arr. Theodore Marier
PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“From Heaven Above Good News I Bring” – tune – “Vom Himmel Hoch”
~ Johann Pachelbed, edit James Southbridge
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INSTRUMENTAL
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“In the Bleak Midwinter” – tune – “Cranham”
~ Gustav Holst, arr. Sarah Douglas
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Maggie Harris
L: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P: And also with you.
L: Shout to the Lord, you sons of God. Sing aloud, you daughters of the living God.
P: Salvation has drawn near.
L: Shout for joy, you sons of the Lord. Sing your praises, you daughters of the Most High.
P: Salvation is at hand.
*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Maggie Harris
Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation. Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may celebrate aright the gift of the nativity, and may await with joy the coming in glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Ruth Oveland, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Blessed Be the God of Israel” ~ UMH #209
ADVENT PRAYER & CANDLELIGHTING
Maggie Harris & Pastor Jeffrey
L: Let us pray.
P: Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Advent season. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained but must be shared. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ. We will find what makes us joyful and make that our gift to the world. We will trust in your good will for all of creation. We will welcome new possibilities in our lives. We will offer ourselves to your goodness. We will be a people of hope, peace, and joy. Amen.
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Ruth Oveland, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 3” ~ UMH #211
TIME FOR CHILDREN
Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Maggie Harris
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris
Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
PRAYER CARDS COLLECTED
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Ruth Oveland, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“Make Me a Captive, Lord” ~ UMH #421
JOYS AND CONCERNS / THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
SCRIPTURE READING
Maggie Harris
Luke 3:7-18
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
Good News to the People
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Maggie Harris
God of our salvation, receive our thanks for all that you have given us which makes us what we are. Bless these gifts and offerings, that they may bring Hope, Peace, and Joy
to all in need of your saving love. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Piano Duet, Celia Palm & Ruby Shew
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
~ Michael Praetorius, arr. Victor Labenske
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH 95
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Ruth Oveland, Bob Rhodes, John Palmer
“All Earth Is Waiting” ~ UMH #210
THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS FOR MINISTRY
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
~ arr. Joyce Jones
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” – tune – “Adeste Fidelis”
~ John F. Wade, arr. Lani Smith
* Stand as you are able