Sunday December 22, 2024 - Bulletin
Dec 22, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 80)
One: Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.
All: You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
One: Awaken your might; come and save us.
All: Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
One: Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
All: Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
One: Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us,
All: that we may be saved.
*HYMN # 11 “ O Lord, How Shall I Meet You ”
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Gracious and Forgiving God, we know that you have scattered the proud, and yet we remain prideful. We know that you have brought down the powerful and lifted up the lowly, and yet we still look down on those we consider to be lower than us. We sing songs of anticipation and praise, and yet we remain anxious with earthly concerns; we rarely praise you to others outside of these walls. Forgive us. Fill our hearts with the inner joy and peace that comes from surrendering to your Son. Shine your light into our hearts and souls so that we cannot help but praise you all the day long. Amen.
One: Now that we have confessed as a body, let us take the truths that have troubled our hearts to God silently. Let us not be worried about the awkwardness of silence, as we take some time to focus on speaking with our God.
SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5:2-5a
MUSICAL OFFERING
EPISTLE READING Hebrews 10:5-10
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:39-55
SERMON “In Harmony with Mary” Rev. Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN # 600 “Song of Mary”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. Let us offer them with joy in our hearts and a deep sense of gratitude.
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
God of Mercy and Light, we dedicate our time, talent and treasures to you as your servants on this Earth. May our offerings today be used to magnify you so that all the world will rejoice in you. Thank you for the abundance which you have given to us so that we might share it. Help us to share it as you would have us do. Amen.
*HYMN # 2091 “The King of Glory Comes ”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE