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Bulletin and Hymns (PDFs linked for viewing)


                                                            ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                                                                                                                 Leah Bruno

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS                                         Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas

*CALL TO WORSHIP & CANDLELIGHTING                                           Louise Hardin
In a weary and worn world,
how do we begin again?
Where do we start?

Let us begin with tenderness.
Let us begin with our hearts on our sleeve.
Let us begin from a place of vulnerability and hope.
Let us begin with love.

Yes, let us start with love.
Today we light the candles of hope, peace,
joy, and love.

May the warmth of these lights be our cornerstone.
May the truth in these lights help us begin again.

May it be so! Amen.

*HYMN OF PRAISE                                            “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – GTG 88

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God,
You paint pictures of what could be,
but we declare those visions impossible.
You speak of the lion lying down with the lamb,
but we spout skepticism and uncertainty.
You dream of a more just day,
but we poke holes in the plan, unable to fathom that horizon.
Forgive us for losing sight of hope.
Forgive us for assuming that what we see is all there is.
Open up our hearts to see the world as you see it.
Open up our hearts to risk hope, to dream dreams,
and to not be afraid of either.
With gratitude we pray, amen.

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE

*THE PEACE
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.


                                             WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING                                                            Luke 1:46-55 pg. 57
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                              “Prepare the Way of the Lord”
                                                                                                  W. A. Mozart, arr. Hal. H. Hopson
                                                                                                                    St. James Chancel Choir

SERMON READING                                                                             Matthew 1:18-25 pg. 1

SERMON                                  “Hope Is Worth The Risk”                Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas

*HYMN OF RESPONSE                                                        “Wait for the Lord” – GTG 90


                WE RESPOND TO GOD’S INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP

JOYS & CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY                       “For the Life That You Have Given” – GTG 717
For the life that you have given, for the love in Christ made known,
With these fruits of time and labor, with these gifts that are your own;
Here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and mind and strength we bring;
Give us grace to love and serve you, Living what we pray and sing.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*SINGING WELCOME AS CHILDREN RETURN TO SANCTUARY
Welcome, children, welcome, we are glad you’re here.
Welcome, children, welcome. Advent time is here.

*HYMN OF COMMITMENT                                             “People, Look East” – GTG 105


                   WE GO INTO THE WORLD AS GOD’S AMBASSADORS

*BLESSING & CHARGE

POSTLUDE

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