Order of Worship

Opening Voluntary – “Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 557” by J. S. Bach (spurious)

Welcome/Greetings

Choral Introit

*Opening Hymn #219 – “What Child Is This”                          GREENSLEEVES

Lighting of the Advent Candle ~Love~  Cherissae, Lionel, and Ava Brown and Mahala (Mae) Holness-Brooks

This morning we light the candle of love.  Open our hearts that we may receive your love, and following the example of Your Son, spread that love to a love-starved world.

*Call to Worship

L:  The signs are there: God’s love comes again, showering us with the light of Christ!

P:  O Lord God of hosts, let your face shine, that we may be saved.

L:  With anticipation of the divine, we remain expectant and marvel at the steadfast faith of Mary and Joseph.

P:  O Lord God of hosts, let your face shine, that we may be saved.

L:  The time is nearly upon us.  Preparations are almost complete.  Are we ready for change?

P:  O Lord God of hosts, let your face shine, that we may be saved.

L:  Worship and praise God for these signs of hope and love!

P:  O Lord God of hosts, let your face shine, that we may be saved.

*Opening Prayer

In this season of love, hope and family, grant us joy and peace this day.  You offered signs to Joseph and Mary long ago—signs that their son would be the Messiah, Emmanuel.  May your light shine on us here, that we might understand the signs in our lives.  We come with open hearts and minds to hear of your love coming into the world.  We come to hear of a young woman with child, a foster father with trust in God, a match you made in heaven to shepherd a tiny boy to his destiny.  Holy God, show us your peace as we make ready for your light in the world!

Prayer of Confession

We lay our burdens before you, O Lord, with our lives open and ready to receive your light and love.  Lead us toward your Son, Jesus, Emmanuel, as we continue to wander with you in faith.  Thank you for the many signs of your love, sent in your infinite wisdom.  May we have the faith of Mary and Joseph, and may we be your attendants, anxious for the coming of your light once again.  Amen.

Words of Assurance

The king of love comes for all!  With tears wiped away and replaced with joy, delight in preparing for the imminent arrival of the Son of God.  We are all called by God, forgiven, cleansed, and made free.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

May Christ’s peace fill you with joy during this season of hope. May signs of God’s love bring peace and serenity, as you await the birth of light.

Children’s Message              Rev. Eumin Kim

Scriptures

Old Testament – Isaiah 7:10-16

¹⁰ Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, ¹¹ “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”  ¹² But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”  ¹³ Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David!  Is it not enough to try the patience of humans?  Will you try the patience of my God also?  ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  ¹⁵ He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, ¹⁶ for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 1:18-25

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).  ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Hymn before Sermon #3040 – “You Are My All in All” – Worship and Song Hymnal (Green)

Sermon – “Salvation Is a Choice”         Rev. Eumin Kim

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

With joy and faith, may we bring our gifts and our love before God in this time of offering.

Chancel Choir – “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” by Lloyd Larson

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

Lord of Heaven, accept these gifts from our hearts, that they may fulfill the purposes of your people.  As Christ’s light shines upon us, we rejoice in the opportunity to share our abundance with others.  Bless these offerings to the Christ child and to our resurrected Lord.

*Closing Hymn #133 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”           SHOWALTER

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary – “Improvisation on BESANCON” by Michael Barker