December 3, 2023

Hanging Of The Greens

Thank you to our graduating seniors  James Ladd and Savanna Ware, and guest musician  Zachary Montasser  for  participating in today’s service.

 WE GATHER TOGETHER FOR WORSHIP

 

Canticle of Carols/ Choirs and Handbells

 

The Meaning Of The Service

 

Children’s Moment with the Pastor

 

The Advent Wreath

 

Litany Of The Greens

 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

 

Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel

Shall come to Thee, O Israel

 

O Come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadows put to flight

 

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse free

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of hell Thy people save

And give them vict’ry o’er the grave

 

Wreaths, Garland And Greens

 

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23: 5-6

The days are surely coming says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which He will be called: “The Lord is our Righteousness.”

 

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee

Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart

 

Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King

Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone

By Thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne

 

The Christmas Tree

 

I Saw Three Ships/ Handbell Choir

 

The Chrismons

 

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

 

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me I pray

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there

 

The Lights Of Christmas

 

No Room/ Chancel Choir

 

The Poinsettia

 

Scripture Reading/ Lisa Gill

Isaiah 40: 29-31

He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

 

Hebrews 11: 1-3

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

 

Sermon: Learning To Wait With Hope

 

Blessing of Our Tithes and Offerings

 

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heavenly host

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 

Affirmation Of Faith

We believe in God,

the creator of all things,

the giver of life and breath.

We believe in Jesus Christ,

born Emmanuel, God with us,

baptized and revealed the most beloved Son of God;

he sought to heal humanity by taking our brokenness upon himself,

suffering for us,

dying for us

and being raised from the dead for our sake

and for the sake of all the world.

We believe that he will come again.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

continually poured out refreshing our lives,

leading us into a new day,

ever directing the church, the body of Christ in the world.

This Spirit is our companion and counselor of truth

reminding us

of the gift of faith,

the ever presence of God

and the promise of eternal life.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

 

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains

 

Shepherds why this jubilee, why your joyous strains prolong

Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song

 

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

 

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing

Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King

 

See within a manger laid Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, with us sing our Savior’s birth

 

Sending Forth