December 19, 2021                                                           Fourth Sunday of Advent


Welcome

Prelude                "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella with The Holly and the Ivy,”
                                          Sonata by D. Scarlatti, arranged by Diane Hidy
                                                                   Marian Kaiser, flute

Call to Worship                                                                                                                        Bob Mott
  Let us magnify the Lord.
    Let us rejoice in God our Savior.
  The Mighty One has done great things for us;
    Holy is God’s Name!

Hymn                                        “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”                                           #244
    
Lighting the Advent Candle                        Debbie and Jim Livingston and Josie and Oliver Main

Response                                      “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”                             #211 verse 4

First Lesson                                                 Micah 5:2-5a                                             Marian Kaser

For the Psalm                                            Luke 1:46b-55

Children’s Time

Gospel                                                         Luke 1:39-45
                    L: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ   P: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Message                                               “She Knew Alright"                            Pastor Gilbert Stones

Hymn                                                   ”Walking to Bethlehem”                 Jim and Jean Strathdee

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer   
    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
    your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
    Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who
    sin against us.
    Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
    For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.
    Amen.

Offering    [Click here to go to online giving]          

                  [Click here to request an Estimate of Giving card]

Offertory                                          “And the Glory of the Lord”                                    G. F. Handel
                                          Marian Kaser, Piano; Barbara Hoff, Organ   

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn                                                   “In the Bleak Midwinter”                                                 #221

Benediction
    
Song of Blessing:                                    “Shalom to You”   

Passing the Peace of Christ with phone calls, texts, emails, cards and prayers

    + + + + + + +

Thanks to everyone who made today’s service possible

Barbara Hoff - Organ and Piano
Marian Kaser - Piano
Jora Landis, Cheryl Dove, Rich Bolin, Gilbert Stones - Vocals
Marian Kaser - Reader
Bob Mott and Mike and Kathy Lindsay and Sharon Payne Bolton - Liturgy
Rich Bolin - Music Coordinator
Rich Bolin, Kasey P. Lindsay, Mary Anne Meyer, Gilbert Stones - Primary Videography
Kasey P. Lindsay - Video Editing

4th Sunday in Advent - Advent Candle Lighting

Opening Prayer:
Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit
within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the center of this sacred
circle through which all creation is related. You show us the way to live a
generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with
respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and
forever. Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Candle (north) Bear Witness

“A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel:
God with us.” Matthew 1:23

We light this candle in the direction of the north, the place of sweeping winter
winds, and northern lights, the time of year when stories are told on long
evenings. We light this candle remembering that we ourselves bear witness to
“God with us” through the example of love in our lives. We light this candle
representing the time of our lives when we are elders and our stories are told
with wisdom and experience. We bear witness to our Creator’s promise to be
Emmanuel: God with us.
Prayer

Creator, you gave us the gift of Emmanuel, God with us. May we bear witness to
the presence of Jesus in our lives and in our communities. May we share the
good news of Jesus’ promise to be with us always to the very end of the age.
Amen.

LOADING PLAYER…

Children's Time

Which of the candles of the Advent Wreath is most important? It's hard to say.

But Pastor G prays that the Candle of Hope speaks to you this day.

LOADING PLAYER…