ORDER OF WORSHIP December 9th, nd Sunday of Advent ~ Peace

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1 ORDER OF WORSHIP December 9th, nd Sunday of Advent ~ Peace Please sign and pass the Friendship Book ( pew pad ) where you can also record any prayer requests. Our prayer is that you will experience the presence of the Living God as we worship together. We invite you to focus your heart and mind in worship. * indicates please stand as you are able. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Galen Miller PRELUDE CALL TO WORSHIP O Come, O Come, Emanuel Arr. Lani Smith Raise your voices, lift up your hearts. Praise the One, the only One, life-giving God of Israel: You have turned to your people and set them free. You have raised a strong deliverer from the house of your servant David. Raise your voices, lift up your hearts. Thank God for the messengers of hope, who bring knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. Piano/Organ Galen Miller Raise your voices, lift up your hearts. an ancient promise is fulfilled: On people who live in a dark night, under the shadow of death, the dawn from heaven breaks to free us all from fear and guide our feet into the way of peace. Praise God! Praise God! Amen! Copyright Brian A. Wren, Westminster John Knox Press, Jan 1, 2008 *SONGS OF WORSHIP:

2 LO! HOW A ROSE E ER BLOOMING (Hymn #163) (VERSE 1) Lo! How a rose e er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse s lineage coming as saints of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night. (VERSE 2) Isaiah t was foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night. (VERSE 3) This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens every load. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Aaron & Misty Cross *SONGS OF WORSHIP: O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL (Hymn #133) (VERSE 1) O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. (VERSE 2) O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o er the grave. (VERSE 3) O come, thou Day-spring, come and cheer

3 our spirits by thine advent here; and drive away the shades of night, and pierce the clouds and bring us light! (VERSE 4) O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. (VERSE 5) O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; fill all the world with heaven s peace. Call to Confession Prepare the way of the Lord! Let us make our confession to God. Judy Palpant Prayer of Confession O promised Christ: We are a world at war. Our peace depends on your coming. We are a sinful people. Our pardon depends on your coming. We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises; our only hope of doing God s will is that you should come and help us do it. Lord Christ, Word made flesh, our world waits for your peace, for your pardon, and for your grace. Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen. [Silent Prayer] Assurance of Pardon

4 The good news of this Advent season is forgiveness of sin and new life. Let us commit our lives to Christ s way of hope and peace. Thanks be to the Advent God, who comes among us, setting us free to love and serve. Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources SONG OF WORSHIP: PLEASE REMAIN SEATED LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE (Hymn #167) (VERSE 1) Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. (VERSE 2) King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood, he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food. (VERSE 3) Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away. (VERSE 4) At his feet the six-winged seraph, cherubim, with sleepless eye, veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,

5 Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, Lord most high! PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OFFERING OF OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS Rev. Peter Blank Judy Palpant Offering Prayer God, our owner and Creator, we return to you thanks for life and breath and for your gifts of strength and skill, of money, wisdom, hope, and love. Use our tangible gratitude to extend our sharing of the gospel, until you bring to completion the good work you have begun in us, through Jesus Christ. Amen. Copyright Brian A. Wren, Westminster John Knox Press, Jan 1, 2008 *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below Praise him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. You may bring your offering and/or light a candle at the front or back of the sanctuary. The children are excused at this time to attend Junior Chapel. Offertory Christmas Lullaby Organ Sarah Douglas READING OF THE SCRIPTURES Dawn Troxel Genesis 4:7 NIV 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.

6 Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Galatians 5:1 NIV 5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. MESSAGE Sermon Notes: Christ Sets You Free Dave Colvin *SONG OF WORSHIP:

7 ON JORDAN S BANK THE BAPTIST S CRY (Hymn #136) (VERSE 1) On Jordan s bank the Baptist s cry announces that the Lord is nigh: awake and listen for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings. (VERSE 2) Let every heart be cleansed from sin, make straight the way for God within, and so prepare to be the home where such a mighty guest may come. (VERSE 3) For you are our salvation, Lord, our refuge and our great reward; without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay. (VERSE 4) To heal the sick, stretch out your hand, and make the fallen sinner stand; shine out, and let your light restore earth s own true loveliness once more. (VERSE 5) To you, O Christ, all praises be, whose advent sets your people free; whom with the Father we adore and Holy Spirit evermore! BENEDICTION Dave Colvin POSTLUDE A Christmas Nocturne Organ Robert J. Hughes Elder Jason Stuart is available for prayer after the service. In the pulpit today: Dave Colvin is an ordained elder who spent 21 years on active duty service with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Now blissfully retired, he enjoys reading, healthy meals, and a variety of outdoor activities. Dave will

8 tell you that Pokémon GO is an exercise app and if you followed him around on a daily basis, you d believe it. He and Karen have four sons, a daughter-in-law, and two adorable grandsons. Today s Lectionary Readings Baruch 5:1 9 or Malachi 3:1 4 Philippians 1:3 11 Luke 1:68 79 Luke 3:1 6 Reflection Think about people in your life for whom you give thanks, who have been in your prayers, and who have brought good news and joy to you this year. Consider writing them a letter or card to express your gratitude. Household Prayer: Morning Blessed are you, Lord God: by your tender mercy the dawn breaks upon us. Guide our feet this day in paths of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Household Prayer: Evening Blessed are you, Lord God: for you have smiled on us this day and redeemed us from our sin. Give light to all who wait in darkness until we rest with you in perfect peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Morning & Evening Household Prayers and Questions for Reflection from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2015