Worship
This week’s service is pre-recorded. There is no in-person worship. Read the update from Session.
Live-Stream
YouTube tips
This week’s video is “premiering” at 10:00 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook. If you go to the YouTube watch page, worshipers will be able to interact with one another while participating in the service. After the premier, the video will be available for playback anytime.
If you have trouble with the video above here is a direct link to the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rp6ggZIe8d0. If you tune into the live-stream while the premier has already begun, you can drag the scroller on the bottom are the way back to the left to begin the service.
Zoom Prayer and Fellowship
We will have a 30-minute prayer and fellowship time on Zoom at 11:15.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3577569746
Call-in: (312) 626-6799 and use meeting ID 357 756 9746.
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Order of Worship
Lighting the Advent Candle
Call to Worship: Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Hymn #82, verses 1& 4: O Little of Bethlehem (sheet music)
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:46-55
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Message: Sing Joy sung by Brian Shepard
This medley includes “Joy to the World,” “For Unto Us a Child Is Born,” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
Affirmation of Faith: Our affirmation of faith today is a selection of the Nicene Creed.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Interlude: What Child is This? on piano, keyboard, and organ
Prayers for Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
Anthem: Still, Still, Stilll performed by the Handbell Ensemble
Benediction
Postlude: Hark! The Herald Angel Sing on piano, keyboard, and organ
CCLI License #768739