WE GATHER AND APPROACH GOD
PRELUDE Celebration Ringers
“O Come, All Ye Faithful“
NOTES ON THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
*LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Hisham and Beth Hegab
Rachel, Nathan, Sarah, and Laina
Leader: Behold! The Lord your God breathes new life into dead spaces. God’s Messiah is coming into our world as God’s final word — life will triumph over death. Do not be afraid.
People: We light the fourth Advent Candle as a sign of our hope in God’s redeeming love. The Messiah is coming to establish a kingdom in the shape of that very love. And this kingdom will last forever and ever.
Leader: Come, Lord Jesus.
People: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
*HYMN OF PRAISE – Hymnal, No. 220
“Angels from the Realms of Glory”
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not one thing was created. The life that was in Him became light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
To all who receive Him, who believe in Him, He gives power to become children of God. The Word became flesh, a man named Jesus. He lived among us, full of grace and truth. From His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. In His name God has sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and to remind us of all that He has said. We believe that because He lives, we shall live also, to the glory of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
ANTHEM – Celebration Ringers
“Angel Tidings”
WE WORSHIP THROUGH OUR PRAYERS AND OUR OFFERINGS
PASTORAL PRAYER
Rev. Chris Winterman
LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER RESPONSE – Hymnal, No. 229
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY – Celebration Ringers
“The First Noel“
*DOXOLOGY
*HYMN OF THE GOSPEL – Hymnal, No. 236
“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE
Luke 1:26-38
SERMON
“Can You Handle Angel News?” – Rev. Doug de Graffenried
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH AND SERVICE
*HYMN OF COMMITMENT – Hymnal, No. 238
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
*BENEDICTION
Rev. Doug de Graffenried
*POSTLUDE – Deborah Guillory, Organ