We invite you to maintain a spirit of silence as the prelude begins our service.
OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude "Greensleeves"
Introit "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus".
Welcome
Blessing of the Creche
The Lighting of the Third Advent Candle - Rueben Alves
Hope is the presentiment that the imagination is more real,
AND REALITY LESS REAL, THAN WE HAD THOUGHT.
It is the sensation that the last word
DOES NOT BELONG TO THE BRUTALITY OF FACTS WITH THEIR OPPRESSION AND
REPRESSION.
It is the suspicion that reality is far more complex than realism would
have us believe,
THAT THE FRONTIERS OF THE POSSIBLE ARE NOT DETERMINED BY THE LIMITS OF THE
PRESENT,
And that miraculously and surprisingly, life is readying the creative
event
THAT WILL OPEN THE WAY TO FREEDOM AND RESURRECTION.
*Hymn insert "Hail to the Brightness of Zion's Glad Morning"
Let us be before our God in silence.
Unison Prayer:
FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS, EVER FAITHFUL TO YOUR PROMISES, YOUR SON'S FUTURE COMING WAS PROCLAIMED BY ALL THE PROPHETS. THE VIRGIN MOTHER BORE HIM IN HER WOMB WITH LOVE BEYOND ALL TELLING. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS HIS HERALD & MADE HIM KNOWN WHEN AT LAST HE CAME. IN HIS LOVE CHRIST HAS FILLED US WITH JOY AS WE PREPARE TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH, SO THAT WHEN HE COMES HE MAY FIND US WATCHING IN PRAYER, OUR HEARTS FILLED WITH WONDER AND PRAISE.Kyrie (sung)
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US.
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
A Word of Assurance: Isaiah 40: 9-11
Anthem: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
THE WORD OF GOD
*Responsive Reading: Luke 1: 46-54
*Gloria Patri (Hymn No. 623)
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY GHOST.
AS IT
WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW AND EVER SHALL BE,
WORLD WITHOUT END,
AMEN, AMEN!
The Greeting of Peace
Announcements
Children's Moment
*Hymn 160 "Lo, How A Rose E'r Blooming"
Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 61: 1-2a,
10-11
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
Alleluia! ALLELUIA!
Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38
Sermon
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
*Hymn 129 "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light"
*The Offering
Doxology (625) and Prayer
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW;
PRAISE GOD ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW;
PRAISE GOD ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS;
PRAISE FATHER (CREATOR), SON (CHRIST) AND HOLY GHOST.
Giving Thanks to God
The Prayer of the People and the Lord's Prayer
*Hymn insert "Hail to the Lord's Anointed"
*The Benediction
*Choral Response
Postlude "Christmas Carol Medley"
*Please stand if you are able.