Good News

Third Sunday of Advent

December 14, 2014

 

*Those that are able are invited to stand

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

- Gathering into worship -          

 

Visual Call to Worship     The News: O Come Emmanuel

 

Opening Scripture                                                                                      Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

 

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

   

*Opening Prayer

Light of the world, you greet us this morning with new possibilities.

Shine brightly, we pray, until we see into the dark places of this world, and into the dark places of our own lives.

We want to follow you in paths of justice, speak up with you for liberty, and bend with you toward the brokenhearted, even the broken places within ourselves.

Today we trade in our faint spirits for your mantle of praise- and with our whole beings we will rejoice in you. Amen.

 

*Chorus                                  “Emmanuel, Emmanuel”                                               #204

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

 

Anthem                                         “A Christmas Madrigal”                                                Choir

 

  - Offering our prayers -

(You are invited to share your prayer concerns with the congregation by writing them on the

Prayer Request cards in the pews and placing them in the offering plate.)

Prayer Hymn               “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (verses 1-4)                      #211

 

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. 

 

- Becoming the church through the word –

 

Advent Wreath Meditation

 

Children’s Sermon

 

Scripture                                                                                                            John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

Prayer of Illumination

Holy One, giver of life and light, as your word is read and proclaimed, illumine our hearts and minds, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, our lives may reflect God’s glory. Amen.

 

Sermon

 

- Sharing our blessings -

 

Offering Our Gifts and Tithes

To give electronically from your mobile device visit donate.mifflinave.org or scan this code

 

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

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

 

*Offering Prayer

Gracious God, you work miracles. Nothing can hinder your purposes. Your love shines forth in your living Word. We pray that the world will reflect your Word. Use these offerings to create small miracles of transformation in our communities. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Taking the Word to the World -

 

*Closing Hymn          “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”                                  #206

 

*Benediction

 

*Chorus                       “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” (Refrain)                #206

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

 

Postlude