Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 23, 2012

*Those who are able are invited to stand

Gathering “The King Shall Come” T. Beck

Welcome and Announcements

*Choral Introit “Alleluia, Noel!” J. North

*Invocation

Almighty God, prepare our hearts and minds to receive your deep peace as we

worship you in spirit and in truth. Take from us all weariness of spirit. Hush

the anxieties that should in our minds. Release us from the bondage to irritations

that drain our energy. Prepare us now to receive your living Word with joy

through Christ our lord, Amen.

*Hymn “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” #203

*Opening Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Candle Eddie Harris

Prayer of Confession

Great God of Presence and Promised Coming,

We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have failed to fulfill your desire for us to love one another.

We have not followed the paths you have given us, choosing instead to follow our own.

We have broken relationships,

We chase consumer desires,

We treat those who wait on us as less than human.

We have rebelled against your love;

We spend our time and money, on gifts for those who give us gifts.

We have not loved our neighbors; we spend time with family and friends out

of obligation rather than sincere love.

We have not heard the cry of the needy,

The mouth of the poor is still hungry for mercy,

The cause of the oppressed is still thirsty for justice.

Free us for joyful obedience, through the Advent of Christ,

Our Lord, Our Messiah, Our Hope. Amen.

Prayer Hymn “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” #216

Silent Prayer / Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as

it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass

against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power

and the glory forever. Amen.

Scripture Micah 5:2-5a

Children’s Sermon

Anthem “Angel Carol” Choir

Scripture Luke 1:39-55

Sermon

Offering our Gifts and Tithes

Offertory Chapel Singers

*Doxology “Angels We Have Heard on High” (REFRAIN) #238

*Offering Prayer

Mighty One, who chose from among the least and the lowliest, Mary who would

become the Mother of our Savior: Remind us again that your selection criteria for

greatness is so different from ours. You choose the humble over the proud, the

weak over the strong, the poor over the rich and powerful. We pray this morning

as we give these gifts that you might use them to lift the lowly, feed the hungry,

bring justice to those oppressed, bring love to those feeling unloved, and hope

to those who feel forgotten. We pray in the Holy name of Jesus. Amen.

*Hymn “We Are Called” #2172

in The Faith We Sing

*Benediction

*Final Chorus “He Is Lord” #177

Postlude “Let Us All With Gladsome Voice” W. Held

All family and friends affected by the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary school

Sue Clapper

Kim Slobodnyak

Bea Crawford- knee issue

Nell Harper- mini stroke