December 20 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

 

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Today’s Meditation Verse “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."– Luke 1:54-55

Welcome: Pastor Charles                                                                                                       

Prelude: “O Come, O Come” - Bell Choir

Call to Worship (Psalm 89:1-4)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Bob M. (People)          (Congregation is encouraged to read people’s response aloud on mute setting)

I will sing of Your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that Your steadfast love is established forever; Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'

Lighting the Advent Candle (UMCDicpleship.org) – Tim & Sandi C.

Reader One: One thing we have learned on our Advent journey is that it is better not to go alone. We live in a do-it-yourself culture that celebrates the individual. But faith is not something that we can do on our own. We need companions on the journey; we need others to support us and strengthen us and encourage us. We put our journey in the hands of many people around us; and although it is a risk, we are better for it. We learn to trust that someone has our back, as we make this journey of faith.                                                                          Reader Two: Matthew reminds us that when God chose to come to earth the first time, God chose to trust in people to help make it happen. God trusted in Mary, and God trusted in Joseph. In turn, we trust in God to be faithful to the promise and to sustain us through many others as we continue our journey of faith.                                                                               Reader One: We light the candles of peace, hope, joy, and trust, as our circle is complete.                                                                                                                                                                           Hymn: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard on High” – Rebecca G.                                                                                                                                              Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations – Pastor Charles                          Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Charles (Congregation is encouraged to offer the Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting)             

Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38     –Bob M.                                                                                                                                                                                                  Musical offering: “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”  –Bell Choir                         Epistle Lesson: Romans 16:25-27 – Pastor Charles                                                                                                                                                                      Sermon: “Seeing it through” – Pastor Charles                                                                                                                                                         Hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” – Rebecca G.

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles                                       

Postlude “Christmas Lullaby” – Anthem Aires