Bethel Presbyterian Church
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 24, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT A Cradle Waits Chancel Choir
READING First Coming Laura Thomas
*HYMN #41 Oh Come All Ye Faithful
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
THE PROPHECY Isaiah 11:1-9 Mark Banker
HYMN #49 Once In Royal David’s City
THE ANNUNCIATION Luke 1:26-33, 38 Liz Singley
ANTHEM A Tiny Babe Chancel Choir
JOSEPH’S DREAM Matthew 1:18-25 Mary Ann Hensley
HYMN #9 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM Luke 2:1-7 Justin Mur
DUET Still, Still, Still Mary Ann Hensley & Marilyn Gaffin
SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS Luke 2:8-20 Jordan Sherrod
*HYMN #31 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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.
MEDITATION Rev. Bill Shenk
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Jesus, the long expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. He lived as a Jew among Jews. He announced to his people the coming of God’s kingdom of justice and peace on earth. We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child, yet born of God’s power as was no other child. In the person and work of Jesus, God himself and a human life are united but not confused, distinguished but not separated. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God’s promised rule. Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, he brings about the relationship between God and humanity that God always intended. Amen.
*HYMN #457 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
IN THE BEGINNING John 1:1-5, 10-14 Jerry Harvey
HYMN #288 I Sing the Mighty Power of God
GOD’S PEOPLE I Peter 2:9-10 Rev. Bill Shenk
*HYMN #29 Go, Tell It on the Mountain
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*HYMN #40 Joy to the World!
