Order of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP & LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH
Advent Credo by Allan Boesak
OPENING SONG Comfort Comfort O My People
"Comfort, comfort O my people,
tell of peace," thus says our God;
Comfort those whose hearts are shrouded,
mourning under sorrow’s load.
Speak unto Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
Tell them that their sins I cover,
and their warfare now is over.
For the herald’s voice is calling
in the desert far and near,
Bidding us to make repentance
since the realm of God is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise in meeting
and the hills bow down in greeting.
Straight shall be what long was crooked,
and the rougher places plain!
Let your hearts be true and humble,
for Messiah's holy reign.
For God's glory evermore
shall be known o'er all the world;
And all flesh shall see the token
that God's word is never broken.
WELCOME
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you
…...and also with you
SONG He Came Down That We May Have Love
He came down that we may have love;
He came down that we may have love;
He came down that we may have love,
Hallelujah forevermore.
… that we may have light
… that we may have peace
… that we may have joy
SCRIPTURE Micah 5:2 - 5a
READING “Descending Theology: The Nativity” by Mary Karr
SONG OF PREPARATION Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear
"Gentle Joseph, Joseph dear,
stay with me, for the baby's near;
God will surely your goodness hear,
as you will love this new-born child," says Mary.
"Gladly Mary, Mary mine,
I will cradle the child divine;
Here will heaven and earth combine,
for you will bear God's child, O dearest Mary."
"Peace to all and God's good-will,"
heaven and earth with this song will fill;
Soon will God, in the evening still,
be born in Bethlehem, the child of Mary.
SERMON Rev. Rebecca Anderson
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming
Elise LaBarge, soprano
Paula Gelpi, piano
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
When in the past week did you see God at work? What concerns would you like to turn over to God’s care?
PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father/Creator/Parent, 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
Amen
GIVE, SERVE, SHARE: Announcements
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
CLOSING SONG Love Has Come!
Love has come, a light in the darkness!
Love explodes in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it.
Hear how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!
Love! Love! Glory to God on high!
Love is born! Come share in the wonder.
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of His mother.
What is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers.
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
Love has come, He never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us.
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas.
Love! Love! Praise to You, God on high!
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
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Celebrate Christmas Eve at Bethany- Dec. 24th at 7pm
You're invited to join us for our evening, family-friendly Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 7pm. It will be a service of lessons and carols where we will sing together by candlelight. All are welcome! We hope to see you there.
January Book Group: The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
Join us for our next Book Group on January 8th at 7pm. We’ll be reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig:
When a retired math teacher is left a run-down house by a recently deceased friend, she arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan. Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past. Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.
If you’re interested in reading with us, sign up here.
COFFEE HOUR
We’ll have coffee hour on every second and fourth Sunday of each month! Click here to lock in a date you're willing to host. Reminder, we make the coffee and you bring treats to share!
