Bethel Presbyterian Church
Third Sunday in Advent
December 17, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb
The leopard shall lie down with the kid,
The calf and the lion and the fatling together,
And a little child shall lead them.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Sing praises to our God, who has done marvelous things!
Let God’s saving deeds be known throughout all the earth.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, O people of God!
For great is the Holy One in our midst.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #20 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Aberystwyth
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Gracious God, we are told that this is supposed to be a joyful time, so why do we often feel joyless? We hear the summons to rejoice, but why do we struggle so to respond? Absorbed in the needs of the day, we have lost sight of you. Beaten down by cares and burdens, we neglect the means of grace through which our hearts might be lifted. We pray partly and worship half-heartedly and serve grudgingly. Sin prevails and joy eludes and we drift farther away. Gather us in. Forgive us. Restore us. Bring forth a new spirit within us, that we might discover the joy for which you created us, the deep joy made known to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Thanks be to God.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn #578
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 12
MINUTE FOR MISSION Christmas Joy Offering
ANTHEM Alleluia, He Comes to Us Handbell Choir
SECOND LESSON Philippians 4
SERMON Rejoice! Rev. Bill Shenk
*HYMN #483 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above Mit Freuden Zart
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING
*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 DEDICATION
*HYMN #9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymn #12 vs. 4
Stars, keep the watch.
When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today:
Love the star is on the way.
*POSTLUDE
