Sunday December 14, 2025 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — Fantasia on “Greensleeves” — arr. Vaughan Williams;
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

 Silent Meditation
God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving towards             The third Sunday of Advent
the house of peace and joy.  This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation; we are not alone on our journey.        – Henri J.M Nouwen, Gracias! A Latin American Journal    

Lighting of the Advent Candle of Joy — The Wilkinson-Graalfs Family (Josh, Cayce, Linnea, Sloane) 

Congregational Response — Light the Candle — Carl Schalk

Advent Call to Worship
A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
       We are preparing our hearts for the God of joy to come into the world.
God’s joy flows into our lives through the gift of the Christ child.
       We are joyful people waiting for the return of our God!

Praise and Adoration

*Opening Hymn #143 — Angels, from the Realms of Glory — REGENT SQUARE
(*Please stand, if you are able.)     

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Holy and wonderful God, we confess that we have closed our eyes to what you are doing. We prefer to concentrate on problems, bad news and violence. When we do, we miss all the healing, freeing and helping you accomplish in our world. We pass up opportunities to participate in your Good News. We rob ourselves of so much joy. Forgive us and give us eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts to treasure your mission in the world.  Fill us with unquenchable joy at the coming of Jesus.

Silent Prayers of Confession and Petition

Kyrie Eleison (#578) — O Lord, Have Mercy — ORÉ PORIAJÚ VEREKÓ

Assurance of Pardon

*Alleluia (#587)  — Alleluia! — CELTIC ALLELUIA

*Welcome

Announcements

Advent Hymn #104 — O Lord, How Shall I Meet You — VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN

Fellowship of Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Anthem — Christmas Meditation — arr. Michael Helman

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — Matthew 11: 2-11  — page 792 of the pew Bible

Sermon —  “Did We Get the Right Guy?” — Dr. Zieman

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith —  from A Declaration of Faith
In Christ, God gave us a glimpse of the new creation God has already begun and will surely finish. We do not know when the final day will come. In our time we see only broken and scattered signs that the renewal of all things is under way. We do not yet see the end of cruelty and suffering in the world, the church, or our own lives. But we see Jesus as Lord.  As he stands at the center of our history, we are confident he will stand at its end.  He will judge all people and nations.  Evil will be condemned and rooted out of God’s good creation. There will be no more tears or pain.  All things will be made new

*Sanctus — Holy, Holy, God Almighty — DIVINUM MYSTERIUM

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — Jesu, Sleep in Heavenly Peace — arr. Douglas E. Wagner                                                                                                                      

*Doxology (#609) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*Prayer of Dedication
We thank you, Great God, for all the ways you heal, bless, and free us. Accept these gifts given in gratitude and in anticipation of Christ’s return.  Multiply them for your glory and for the good of all people.  Amen.

*Christmas Hymn #119 — Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing — MENDELSSOHN  

*Charge and Benediction

*Benediction Response

*Postlude — Festival Overture — Kevin McChesney