University Presbyterian Church Order of Worship December 23, 2018 8:30am 4th Sunday of Advent < < I N V I T E D > > Instrumental Prelude: Celebration Charles Callahan Hannah Byun, Principal Organist Opening Hymn #171: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King: Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin s womb: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. Advent Call to Worship: Luke 1:46-49 (p. 831) And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is his name. Scripture Reading and Lighting of the Advent Candle Luke 2:8-11 (p. 833) In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Welcome & Greeting Time Hymn #809: 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. Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon Morning Prayers and 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. Hymn of Assurance #150: What Child is This? 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. Nail, 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, kind, 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. Invitation to Children s Worship < < W E H E A R > Story of Hope: Becky Rodda Offering Moment & Prayer of Dedication Tithes & Offerings: Away in a Manger arr. John Rutter Cathedral Choir; David Gardner, director Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is night. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there. Sermon: A Mourner s Lament Renée Sundberg Text: 1 Samuel 11:26-12:15 (p. 248) 26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. 27 When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, 1 and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds; 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him." 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; 6 he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." 7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; 8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. 11 Thus says the Lord: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. 12 For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die." 15 Then Nathan went to his house. The Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became very ill. << WE RESPOND>> Hymn of Response: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, goodwill to men.
I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th'unbroken song of peace on earth, goodwill to men. And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to men." Ministry of Healing Prayers Benediction _+_+_+_+_+_+_+_ TODAY S WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS: Renée Sundberg, Preaching Pastor George Hinman, Senior Pastor Marta Bennett, Liturgist Kevin, Charlotte, Ada & Lucy Twardus, Candle Lighters David Gardner, Director of Worship & Arts Hannah Byun, Principal Organist CURRENT SERMON SERIES: MOTHERS OF JESUS What we learn about Jesus from the women in his ancestry Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of many women. The story of Mary is often told but not so much the story of Jesus other mothers. Matthew notes the omission and begins telling the story of Jesus (in Matthew 1:1-17) by reminding his readers of the extraordinary women in his story. He points in particular to five who find themselves in the lineage of the Savior, each remarkable in their own way. Together they point to the importance of women, to the grace that lays bare the brokenness of our humanity, and to the hope of heaven for all people in the birth of this one child, Jesus. CHANCEL FLOWERS The flowers on the Chancel today are given in honor of Renée Sundberg s 20 th ordination anniversary, from her adoring family. To request Chancel flowers in memory or in honor of a loved one, please contact Bob Davies in the Worship department (x143, bobd@upc.org). CONDOLENCES Our sympathies to the family and friends of Verneil Aitken who died December 17. Our sympathies to Vivian Johnson and family in the death of Norm Johnson who died December 11. A celebration of Norm s life will be on Friday, December 28, at 2:00 pm in the Schirmer Auditorium on the main campus of CRISTA Ministries.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES Family Services: 1pm & 2:30pm Traditional: 5pm & 7pm Contemporary: 9pm & 11pm NEXT SUNDAY: December 30 Preacher: Scott Gronholz COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Lyrics to copyrighted songs used by permission (CCLI license #125908 and OneLicense.net #A-719889). Away in a Manger arr. John Rutter 1981 by Oxford University Press