Approaching God
Welcome and announcements
Prelude
Call to Light the Advent Wreath
Family: The season of Advent continues. Today we shall be lighting the candle of love.
Congregation: No other word so completely describes what we know of our God. For God so loved the world that a child was given....God's love in human form.
Family: We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.
The two purple candles and the pink candle are lit
Family: We light the candle of love to proclaim that God's love is revealed in the Child born in Bethlehem.
Congregation: We are challenged to proclaim and
reveal that same love as we live out our faith here in this area.
reveal that same love as we live out our faith here in this area.
The purple candle is lit
Family: We give thanks for a love that passes our human understanding.
Congregation: We await once more the birth of God's enduring love this Christmas. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we hope, wait, love, and pray. Amen
First Hymn:
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide: Heavenly Father, we gather as Your people and children, seeking to delight You with our prayers and music, as well as our praises and worship. We come before You as humble servants, thankful for our lives and grateful for Your blessings.
People: Merciful Lord, we know that we are sometimes rebellious and wayward, and that we do not make the best choices each day. We confess that we are sometimes unwilling to listen to Your words and constantly ignore Your commands. We are guilty of being unholy and unfaithful, unworthy and ungodly. We keep allowing pride and prejudice, anger and greed, arrogance and envy to diminish our faith and contaminate our souls. Hear us now as we make our sorrowful confessions to You alone.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Loving Father, You gave Jesus to us to become our only Savior and Perfect Redeemer. He can save us from our sins and restore us to Your grace. We ask for Your mercy in His Name. Without Christ's power, we would be doomed forever. Without His love, we would be eternally lost. In His precious words, we continue our prayers, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ taught us everything about God's grace and offered Himself as the Supreme Sacrifice for all of our sins. Death cannot seize us forever, for we have been liberated by Christ's blood and reinstated to God's pleasure, both now and forever. Amen.
Gloria Patri (sung unison): 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.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
Encountering God
Choir Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, our God, we take refuge in You; save and deliver us from all that harms us. When pain reduces us to tears, or fear overwhelms our souls, grant us comfort and peace.
People: O Lord, if we have brought harm and suffering upon ourselves, grant us mercy and relief. When we seek peace of mind and strength to overcome weariness, be near to us, O Lord.
Pastor: O Lord God Most High, You are the shield of our hearts and the sustainer of our lives. Hear our pleas for healing and bestow upon our loved ones health and wholeness, recovery and restoration. Hear us now as we silently pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Pastor: We will give thanks to God for His righteousness and give praise to the Lord Most High. In Jesus' Name, we make these prayers. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 7)
Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”
Prayer of Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, we are heirs to the Lord's covenant and His chosen people. Let these sacred words penetrate our hearts and minds, so that our spirits and souls may be strengthened through the teaching, love and grace of Christ. In His Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Message & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we are saved through Your Gospel when we firmly hold to the words You have preached. Strengthen our beliefs and personal commitment to You. Take these tithes and gifts for the service of the Kingdom, the preaching of Your Word and the glorifying of God's Name. In Your Presence, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May Christ flow into our lives and enhance our faith; may the Father comfort and strengthen us every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower and enable us to worship and witness to the One, True and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
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