WELCOME TO WORSHIP
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED SCRIPTURE — Luke 1:39-55 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Deck the Halls with Joy”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Magnificat — Martha Bassett DOXOLOGY #211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — VENI EMMANUEL Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 17, 2023 • 9:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The gathering music signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
Please stand as you are able
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image. When our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. All that we are, and all that we have, is a trust from you. And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer you ourselves, and all that we have, in union with Christ’s offering for us. By your Holy Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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GATHERING MUSIC GREETING OPENING PRAYER Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
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HYMN
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#219 What Child Is This — GREENSLEEVES
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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#246 Joy to the World — ANTIOCH
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE Emmanuel — Kenneth Wilmot Sr. Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel. Let every heart prepare him room. O come, O come Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel.
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CELEBRATION MUSIC
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON NOTES
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MUSIC Martha Bassett, vocals Matt Kendrick, bass Federico Pivetta, piano Ken Wilmot, trumpet John Wilson, drums
ADVENT WREATH Grayson and Caroline Robertson
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