WE GATHER AND APPROACH GOD

PRELUDE – Orchestra
“Good Christian Men, Rejoice”

WELCOME – Rev. Doug de Graffenried

*LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE – John Robert, Mandy, Roe, and Joanna Smith

Leader: Listen. Hear the good news: God’s promised Messiah is coming. He brings good news for the poor and oppressed. He will bind up broken hearts. He will proclaim release to those who are held captive.

People: We light the third Advent Candle as a sign of joy — a testimony to the Light of God coming into our world that will shatter the darkness and bring healing to all who suffer and mourn.

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus.

People: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.

*OPENING HYMN – Congregation and Choir
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

ADVENT PRAYER

Touch us O God, through the ministry of melody,
Through, the sounds and senses of song,
Through the wordless wonder
Which fills our souls with beauty and awe,
Through the spirit which causes our feet to dance
And our hearts to overflow.
May we be so absorbed in the mystery and magic of music,
That in this moment
Our lives may be bonded to each other and to you.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

ANTHEM – Choir
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

The First Lesson – Genesis 3:1-11
The Fall of Adam

HYMN – Congregation and Choir
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

The Second Lesson – Genesis 12:2-3
The Promise of Abraham

ANTHEM – Choir
“Bleak Midwinters Gift”

The Third Lesson – Isaiah 9:2,6
The Peace that Christ will Bring Is Foretold

HYMN – Congregation and Choir
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

The Fourth Lesson – Isaiah 11:1-3
Christ’s Birth and Kingdom are Foretold by Isaiah

OFFERTORY PRAYER – Rev. Chris Winterman

OFFERTORY – Orchestra
“God Rest You Merry Gentlemen”

The Fifth Lesson – Luke 1:26-31
The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary

ANTHEM – Choir
“The Annunciation”

The Sixth Lesson – Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Christ

ANTHEM – Choir
“The First Noel”

The Seventh Lesson – Luke 2:8-17
The Shepherds Go to the Manger

ANTHEM – Choir
“Angels from the Realms of Glory”

The Eighth Lesson – Matthew 2:1-12
The Magi Follow the Star

ANTHEM – Choir
“Christmas Lullaby”

The Ninth Lesson – John 1:1-5
The Mystery of the Incarnation

*HYMN – Congregation and Choir
“Angels We Have Heard on High”

*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

May the Christ who by his Incarnation
gathered into One , things earthy and heavenly,
fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.

AMEN.

Go forth in peace and joy.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!