December 24, 2017

THEME: Interrupted by Angels - Messages that Change Us

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: WE WILL ONLY HAVE ONE SERVICE THIS WEEK AT 10:00AM

NOTES: This Week's Angel Encounter comes from the Gospel of Matthew and the story of Joseph as he struggles to make sense of all the changes to his plans for his life, ultimately choosing to respond with love.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25
¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah^[i] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. ²⁰ But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³ “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” ²⁴ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, ²⁵ but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;^[j] and he named him Jesus.

10:00 AM Order of Service

The Gathering

Welcome  

Installation of Officers and Deacons

Ordination of Elders                                                                           

Prelude

We Gather in The Light of Christ

Lighting the Table Candles                                               

Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.

Leader:  In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Carol of Praise: CH #164  "Good Christian Friends Rejoice"                   sts. 1 & 3

  

Lighting the Advent Wreath  &  Symbol - STABLE

Invocation (UNISON)
Oh Loving God, We see the familiar sights. We smell the familiar smells. We sing the familiar songs. And we remember that you came to us, to our world, in unexpected surroundings. You were born to unexpected parents at an unexpected time. Help us to watch for you in the unexpected and to love the world with your surprising love. Amen.

We Contemplate God’s Word

Children's Sermon

Anthem                                               

                                       

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern     
                                   

Hymn of Prayer: CH #134 "Emmanuel"                                                Sing Twice

Praying Together       

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

  
Dramatic Presentation of Scripture-Joseph Invites Us to the Table   


Communion Carol: CH #151 "The First Noel"                                         sts. 1 & 2

The Elder’s Prayer of Communion

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Supper

All are welcome to share at the Table.  Come forward using the center aisle.  As you partake of the bread and the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the table.  The offering you share supports the ministries and life of Christ’s church.

The Lord’s Prayer                  

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship                                              

Blessing                                                                      

Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.  

Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

Parting Carol: CH #167 "Go, Tell It On the Mountain"                                sts. 1 & 3