Sunday December 8, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming — arr. Diane Bish                                    
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 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.  The God of love who gave us life sent us his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that he walks with us…  — Henri J.M Nouwen, Gracias! A Latin American Journal

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP — The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee — Jean Berger

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE OF PEACE — The Murray family 

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE          Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory — JOYOUS LIGHT — Marty Haugen

ADVENT CALL TO WORSHIP
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
       “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
       and for the Prince of Peace to rule our hearts and world.  Let us worship God together!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #88 — O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1-4) — VENI EMMANUEL
(*Please stand, if you are able)

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, today we light the candle of peace, but we confess that we have sometimes assumed that conflict would overtake us.  Instead of trusting in you, we have turned to despair. We have looked for help in the wrong places and have sought quick fixes from those with money and power.  Forgive us, God.  Let us listen to the voice crying out in the wilderness and help us prepare for the coming of Christ.    

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#578) — O Lord, Have Mercy — ORÉ PORIAJÚ VEREKÓ

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (#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 #82 — Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus — HYFRYDOL

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 — Open Thou Mine Eyes — John Rutter

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON — Luke 3: 1-6 — page 834 of the pew Bible

SERMON — “Let Him In” — Dr. Zieman

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Romans 8:1, 28, 38, 39, Book of Common Worship
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI (#581) — Glory Be to the Father — GLORIA PATRI (Greatorex)

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Light dawns on a weary world — Mack Wilberg

*DOXOLOGY (#609) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Christ, 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
Christ calls us to live generous and grateful lives. Take these gifts we offer today, O God, and use them to the fulfillment of Christ’s ministry. May these gifts help to free the captives, heal the sick, comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, heal the wounded. As Christ’s hands and feet, use us too, in service to building your beloved community. Amen.

*HYMN #88 — O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 5-7) — VENI EMMANUEL

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION                                                   

*POSTLUDE — Masters in This Hall — Jeffrey Blersch