WE GATHER AND APPROACH GOD
PRELUDE – Joy to the World
Preston Parker – Piano
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVOCATION
*LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Carolyn Smith and Emma Scheaffer
Sam and Linda Wallace, Liturgists
*HYMN OF PRAISE
Angels from the Realms of Glory – Hymnal, No. 220
INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord of Christmas Peace, we have done wrong. We have tarnished the gift you gave freely. We have buried you so deeply in our hearts, the world doesn’t see you. We have not followed Christ, we have ignored your teachings, we have lived lives of apa- thy against your love, we have built fences and fortresses to push people away, and we have silenced the screams of those in need.
Forgive us, we pray free us from our sin, free us from our captivity, free us to a life lived in joy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Leader: By the mercy and grace of our Good God, we may live in peace with one an- other for we have been forgive and Christ welcomes us as a parent welcomes home a long lost child.
People: Alleluia! Amen!
WE WORSHIP THROUGH OUR PRAYERS AND OUR OFFERINGS
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER HYMN
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – Hymnal, No. 229
OFFERTORY PRAYER
OFFERTORY – Chancel Choir
It Came upon the Midnight Clear
*DOXOLOGY
*HYMN OF THE GOSPEL
The First Noel – Hymnal, No. 245
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE – Romans 15:4-13
SERMON – God in True Light
Rev. Doug de Graffenried
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
HOLY COMMUNION
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH AND SERVICE
*HYMN OF COMMITMENT
I want to Walk as a Child of the Light – Hymnal, No. 206
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE