GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of God’s glory.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
O God, come to our assistance.
O Lord, hasten to help us.
The angel said to Mary: hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
You will conceive and bear a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus.
The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 12 People, Look East Besancon
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 80:1-7,17-19
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
Marci Smith
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
HYMN # 29 Go, Tell it on the Mountain Go Tell it
(Remain Seated)
BELL ANTHEM Alleluia, He Comes To Us arr. Michael R. Keller
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Matthew 1:18-25
SERMON Jacob’s Shoes
Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN # 49 Once in Royal David’s City Irby
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Litany for Advent
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, you order all things with strength and gentleness: Come now and teach us the way to salvation.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared in the burning bush to Moses and gave him the law on Sinai: Come with outstretched arm to save us.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Root of Jesse, rising as a sign for all the peoples, before you earthly rulers will keep silent, and nations give you honor: Come quickly to deliver us.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Key of David, Scepter over the house of Israel, you open and no one can close, you close and no one can open: Come to set free the prisoners who live in darkness and the shadow of death.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice: Come, shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Ruler of the nations, Monarch for whom the people long, you are the Cornerstone uniting all humanity: Come, save us all, whom you formed out of clay.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Immanuel, our Sovereign and Lawgiver, desire of the nations and Savior of all: Come and save us, O Lord our God.
Come, Lord Jesus.
God of grace, ever faithful to your promises, the earth rejoices in hope of our Savior's coming
and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts to receive him when he comes, for he is Lord forever and ever.
Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 38 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Carol
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hymn # 31 v. 1
