Sunday December 24, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Grandioso from Concerto in D Major — Giuseppe Tartini
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“The whole story of Advent is the story of how God can’t be kept out. God is present. God is with us. God shows up—not with a parade but with the whimper of a baby, not among the powerful but among the marginalized, not to the demanding but to the humble.”  – Rachel Held Evans

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE OF LOVE                                            
Mike Howland and Linda Matson

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  (#83) — Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus — STUTTGART

ADVENT CALL TO WORSHIP — Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything,
       but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
       will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

PRAISE AND ADORATION

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

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                                                 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, in the beginning you spoke, and creation was born, the object of your loving care.  In the fullness of time you spoke, and the Word became flesh, Jesus, gift of your love.  We wonder at the miracle of creation; we stand in awe before the mystery of the incarnation.  Forgive us earthbound creatures, feeble in faith, empty of hope, lacking in love.  This year, let the miracle and mystery of Christmas happen for us again. With ready hearts, O God, we ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#89) — For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits — MY SOUL IN STILLNESS WAITS

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*GLORIA PATRI (#583) — Glory to God GLORIA (Taizé)

WELCOME               
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

HYMN #123 — It Came Upon the Midnight Clear — CAROL

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON — Micah 5: 2-5a  page 756 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

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 — Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus — arr. Robby Davis

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

THE GOSPEL LESSON — Luke 1: 26-38 — page 831 of the pew Bible  
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — “Mary, the Adventuress” — Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

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

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Away in a Manger — arr. Lynn Tredeau

*DOXOLOGY (#607) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore.  Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Almighty God, you have done and are doing great things for us, and holy is your name.  Bless all we
offer you—ourselves, our time, and our possessions – that through us your grace and favor may be
made known to all the world, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

*ADVENT HYMN #113 — Angels We Have Heard on High — GLORIA                                                                       

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE — On Christmas Night All Christians Sing — Jeffery Blersch