December 17 – Special Music for Advent
December 16, 2023 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Let us celebrate in joyful response to God’s grace on this, the third Sunday of Advent. Thank you to today’s musicians Rachel Benitez Borrego, Sarah Reifschneider and Kathryn Kuntzman, and to our narrator, Sarah Wilson, for leading our congregation in this special celebration of The Nativity in Words and Music. This meaningful worship service promises to be a joy and a blessing!
WELCOME
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Listen up everybody! God gives the world the greatest gift!
All: Let’s praise God together!
One: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And peace to all people on earth.
*HYMN – O Come, All Ye Faithful (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #188
O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him,
born the King of angels.
Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!
God from true God, and
Light of Light begotten,
Lo , He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created
Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest: [Refrain]
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of Never-ending Love, we rejoice at the amazing promise of your advent. As the Coming Christ, you give birth to hope, peace, joy, and love. Your gifts inspire people to offer gifts at all times.
Come now, God Emmanuel. Bring us to life in the name of Jesus Christ. Show us your dreams for humankind and for life everywhere.
Precious Savior, you are the Maker and the Caregiver of all creation. Your love and compassion amaze us! We gather together this day to worship you. May our lives forever sing your praises! Amen.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH – The Candle of Joy
RESPONSE – Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #196
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night.
Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-spent was the night.
This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Nativity in Words and Music
Cello:
Rachel Benitez Borrego
Sarah Reifschneider
Kathryn Kuntzman
Narrator:
Sarah Wilson
Reading The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1:67-75
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Reading The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2:1-7
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Reading The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2:9-13
Angels We Have Heard on High
Reading The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2:15-16
What Child Is This?
Reading The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2:20
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Reading Awe, Wonder and Joy!
Joy to the World!
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE – Patapan
