Week of December 11th, 2022
Order of Service
Prelude
Announcements
Opening Prayer
Hymn of Praise: UMH #218 – “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy: The Lord’s Highway
Leader 1: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing . . . A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray . . . And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighting shall flee away.”
Leader 2: The prophet Isaiah tells us about the joy of ascending to God’s house. The prophet tells us to imagine being set free, being unburdened, being released to live, to fully live in the grace and wonder of life itself, surrounded by those who love us like no one else. And then he tells us that the journey to get there is just as much a joy.
Leader 1: The Psalmist says “Happy are these whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord . . . who made heaven and earth . . . . who keeps faith . . . who executes justice . . . gives food . . . sets prisoners free . . . opens eyes . . . lifts up . . . watches over . . . upholds. . . The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!”
Leader 2: We light these candles, the candle of joyous hope, of proclaimed peace, and of deep and everlasting joy, as a sign that we are those who walk with a skip in our step because we can see the destination, and it is pure joy. We are ascending to God’s promise.
Contemporary Hymn: “Little Drummer Boy” by King & Country
Celebration & Concerns of Church & Community
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Bringing to God our Tithes and Offerings
Prayer of Thanksgiving
New Testament Reading: Luke 1:46b-55
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God
Gloria Patri: UMH #70
The Word Proclaimed with Pastor Janet: “What You Are Going Through Right Now, Is Not Unique to You”
Closing Hymn: FWS #2036 – “Give Thanks”
Benediction
Announcements & Community Events
Bible Study & Sunday School: Join us Tuesday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Angel Tree & Christmas Food Boxes: Hopefully everyone has their angel gifts turned in today (12/11/2022). Food boxes will be sorted on Tuesday, Dec. 13th and then handed out on Thursday, Dec. 15th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Community Dinner: We will host one more Community Dinners on Wed. Dec. 14th at 5:30 p.m. and then break for Christmas. Please see the sign-up sheets if you can help with the food.
Caroling Around Town: Spread some holiday cheer with your voice following the Community Dinner on Wednesday (12/14/2022)!
Birthdays:
Ellis Livengood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15
Mike Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16
Kandice Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-17
Ann Nispel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19
Anniversaries:
None Noted
Serving You Today:
Pastor: Janet Sutter
Liturgists: Bill and Sheryl Brotton
Pianist: Trish Brown