ORDER OF WORSHIP December 23rd, 2018 4th Sunday of Advent ~ Joy 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 Dave Colvin PRELUDE Christmas Lullaby Organ Sarah Douglas CALL TO WORSHIP Walter Welch 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 *SONGS OF WORSHIP: JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE (Hymn #20) Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away; giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day! All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays, stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother all who live in love are thine; teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES THE ROBERTSONS *SONGS OF WORSHIP: HE CAME DOWN He came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; hallelujah for evermore. He came down that we may have peace; he came down that we may have peace; he came down that we may have peace; hallelujah for evermore. He came down that we may have joy; he came down that we may have joy;
he came down that we may have joy; hallelujah for evermore. SKIT: The Prophet s Candle www.skitguys.com Lois & Kristen Robertson, Dave & Bill Colvin *SONGS OF WORSHIP: LONG AGO, PROPHETS KNEW (Hymn # 142) Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come, born a Jew, come to make all things new, bear his people s burden, freely love and pardon. (REFRAIN) Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring! Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing! When he comes, when he comes, who will make him welcome? God in time, God in man, this is God s timeless plan: he will come, as a man, born himself of woman, God divinely human. (REPEAT REFRAIN) Mary, hail! Though afraid, she believed, she obeyed. In her womb, God is laid till the time expected, nurtured and protected. (REPEAT REFRAIN) (VERSE 4) Journey ends! Where afar Bethlehem shines, like a star, stable door stands ajar: unborn of Son of Mary, Savior, do not tarry! (FINAL REFRAIN) Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring! Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing! When he comes, when he comes, we will make him welcome! SCRIPTURE:
Luke 2:1-7 The Message The Birth of Jesus Bill Colvin 1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. 6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. SKIT: The Bethlehem Candle www.skitguys.com Walter & Chenayla Welch *SONGS OF WORSHIP: O SING A SONG OF BETHLEHEM (Hymn #192) O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there, and of the news that came to them from angels in the air: the light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today; of Jesus birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway. O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy, O sing of fragrant flowers breath, and of the sinless Boy: for now the flowers of Nazareth in every heart may grow; now spreads the fame of his dear name on all the winds that blow. O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill, of him who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still: for though, like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll, when faith has heard the Master s word, falls peace upon the soul.
(VERSE 4) O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay; of him who hung upon the tree, and took our sins away: for he who died on Calvary is risen from the grave, and Christ, our Lord, by heaven adored, is mighty now to save. SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8-15 The Message Lois Robertson An Event for Everyone 8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God s angel stood among them and God s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, Don t be afraid. I m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. 13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. Let s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us. They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. SKIT: The Shepherd s Candle www.skitguys.com Dave & Bill Colvin, Walter & Chenayla Welch, Kristen Robertson SONG OF WORSHIP: WHILE BY THE SHEEP WE WATCHED
(Hymn #166) While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright: How great our joy! (Choral Echo) Joy, joy, joy! (Choral Echo) Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! (Choral Echo) There shall be born, so he did say, in Bethlehem a child today. How great our joy! (Choral Echo) Joy, joy, joy! (Choral Echo) Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! (Choral Echo) There shall the Child lie in a stall, this Child who shall redeem us all. How great our joy! (Choral Echo) Joy, joy, joy! (Choral Echo) Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! (Choral Echo) (VERSE 4) This gift of God we ll cherish well, that every joy our hearts shall fill. How great our joy! (Choral Echo) Joy, joy, joy! (Choral Echo) Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! (Choral Echo) SKIT: The Angel s Candle www.skitguys.com Walter & Chenayla Welch, Kristen Robertson SONG OF WORSHIP: ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH (Hymn #152)
Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o er the plains, and the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem, and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. (VERSE 4) See within a manger laid Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth! Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, sing with us our Savior s birth. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1-2,7-11 The Message Chenayla Welch 1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory this was during Herod s kingship a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We re on pilgrimage to worship him.
7-8 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I ll join you at once in your worship. 9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. SKIT: The Christ Candle: Love www.skitguys.com Walter Welch, Dave & Bill Colvin SONG OF WORSHIP: WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (Hymn #150) What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping, whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary. Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby; joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary. OFFERING OF OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS Kristen Robertson Offering Prayer With joy we praise you, gracious God, for you have created heaven and earth, made us in your image, and kept covenant with us even when we fell into sin. We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming opened to us the way of salvation and whose triumphant return we eagerly await. Therefore we join our voices with all the saints and angels and the whole creation to proclaim the glory of your name.. Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources *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 Piano/Organ God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman Traditional English Melody VIDEO: Bethlehem Rhapsody SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:19 The Message Kristen Robertson 19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they d been told! SKIT: A Mother s Diary Lois Robertson www.skitguys.com *SONG OF WORSHIP: JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE (Hymn #20) Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away; giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect thy rays, stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother all who live in love are thine; teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine. SKIT BENEDICTION Drama Troupe Congregational Response: Hosanna! Glory to God in the Highest! For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) KJV POSTLUDE Prepare the Royal Highway Organ Swedish Folk Tune Elder Jason Stuart is available for prayer after the service. Bringing the message today: The Knox Drama Troupe leads us in worship about four times per year and yes, they do accept new members! Please speak with any Drama Team
participant about taking on a new, temporary identity and adding a little bit of drama (the good kind!) to your life. Today s Lectionary Readings Micah 5:2 5a Hebrews 10:5 10 Luke 1:47 55 or Psalm 80:1 7 Luke 1:39 45 (46 55) Reflection Where do you see the light of Christ magnified in your person, your life, and the ways of your family and community? Notice in the coming week one time each day when the light of Christ is made present for you by others. Household Prayer: Morning Thank you, good and gracious God, for the morning light, for another day in which to live out what it means that you have magnified my soul and the souls of those around me in this world. Teach me the meaning of Let it be. Show me how to trust; in Jesus name. Amen. Household Prayer: Evening Good and gracious God, we give you thanks that you have made incarnate in your world the breath of life, the life of hope. Keep us safe throughout the night that in the morning we may again rejoice and live in peace with all creation; in Jesus name. Amen. The Morning & Evening Household Prayers and Questions for Reflection from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2015