Sunday, December 14, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The 3rd Sunday of Advent
(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love
to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)
THE PRELUDE Tucket and Variants Norris
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Samuel R. Schaal
Minister: Let us magnify the Lord;
People: Let us rejoice in God our Savior.
Minister: Great and mighty is the Lord.
People: And holy is the Name of God.
*HYMN 89 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
*THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
God and maker of all, to redeem the world you chose the most unsuspecting of women to mother your Son and your choice gave new glory to human flesh and earthly parenting. With the joy that was Mary’s, may our souls magnify the Lord, and our bodies be the means through which you continue to do the mighty work of salvation for which Christ came. We ask this in the Name of the One who taught us to pray:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*Ascription of Glory
“Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo!”
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
The Lighting of the Advent Candles Kate, Kenneth & Andrew Welch
Reader #1: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for God to send God’s love and light into our dark, human world.
Reader #2: How does this happen?
Reader #1: God’s most perfect love comes through Jesus. Jesus became a human being just like you and me, so that he could show us God’s light and saving love.
People: “Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us. Let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Reader #3: A reading from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. . .May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess 5:16-18, 23)
Reader #1: Today, we continue to wait for God to send Jesus to us. We wait for God’s Spirit to bring good news, healing, freedom and comfort. We wait for those who weep to sing songs of joy. We wait for the Light of the World to shine into the darkness of our lives, and while we wait on this third Sunday of Advent, we light the third candle.
[First, second and third (pink) candles are lit. While the candles are being lit, the following is read:]
Reader #2: Every week in Advent, we will light another candle. Each candle that we light will remind us that the Light of the World will soon come to us in the human form of the baby Jesus.
People: Like John the Baptizer, the messenger of the Lord, may we prepare a way for God in our own hearts, in our own daily lives. May we pray for healing, comfort and joy in our lives and in the lives of others. May we let our lives show God’s light so that we, like John, are witnesses of God’s love in our own lives, in our own time. Amen.
HYMN 88 Canticle of the Turning (verse 3)
THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Robert J. Brink
*HYMN 94 To a Maid Engaged to Joseph
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Romans 16:25-27 Bible, page 1037 Children’s Bible, page 1617
THE CANTICLE (unison) Luke 1:46-55 Hymnal, no. 734
THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:26-38 Bible, page 931 Children’s Bible, page 1457
THE SERMON “Mary: Outside the Crèche” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM Once, In Bethlehem McCollough
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM He Is Born Wetzler
*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
*HYMN 87 Long Ago, Prophets Knew
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Improvisation on an Advent Hymn Tune
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
The Christmas decorations are provided by the Board of Deacons
and through the generous donations of members in honor of or in memory of loved ones.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, December 21 10:00 A.M.
We celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent with A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
We also celebrate Rev. Sam Schaal’s five-year ministry among us at a Festive Coffee Hour.
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.