December 21, 2014 Order

Due to the Christmas breakfast, there is only one service this week, the 10:40am.

10:40 AM

Gathering and Preparing for Worship

Opening Music

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship

Leader: All creation holds its breath.
People: The time is almost here.
Leader: The heavenly choir of angels waits for its cue to sing.
People: Excitement is all around us.
Leader: The grace of God takes on human form.
We gather to make ready our hearts

for the coming of God's gift of LOVE.

— Rev. Nancy J, on her blog, wonderings through life and other such nonsense. http://ruminari.wordpress.com/

Hymn of Praise:   CH # 143      Joy to the World    sts. 1 & 2

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation & Lord's Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, we await your coming,
We wait filled with hope,
Knowing your light will shine in the darkness.
We wait anticipating your peace,
Believing that one day it will fill our world.

We wait with joy,
Bubbling us in expectation of your birth.

We wait embracing your love,
May we reach out to share it with our neighbors.
Lord we wait, and as we wait, we pray the prayer you taught us, Our Father....

~ written by Christine Sine

Turning to God in Prayer

Moments of Fellowship and Greeting

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn: CH # 162       What Child is This?   ALL

Prayers of the People

Lighting the Advent Wreath

Carol:  Number 128....One Candle is Lit....stanza 4

Scripture: John 15:9-11

⁹ As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Candle Meaning:

We light this candle

to proclaim the coming

of the light of God

into the world.

With the coming of this light there is LOVE.
Acolyte lights one candle. 
 

Soon we shall celebrate the birth of Jesus

with a LOVE that is ours, not just for a moment, but always.

Contemplating God's Word 

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Choir Voluntary

Children's Moment & Blessing

Sermon

Sharing at the Lord's Table

Invitation to Communion

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome to share in communion.

 Please hold the elements as we partake in unison.

 

Communion Hymn: CH # 133     Like a Child       stanzas 1 and 3

Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution

Call to Offering

Offertory

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Going Forth in Faith

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation: CH # 150      Hark! the Herald Angels Sing   ALL

Benediction

Closing Song:  CH # 143 Joy to the World      sts. 3 & 4

 Carrying Out of the Light

 Postlude