INVITATION AND GATHERING
Prelude “Advent Carol Medley!” Leslie Bassett
Welcome & Greetings
Musical Greeting: “Advent Is a Time to Wait” Young Worshippers
Lighting of the Advent Candle: (see insert)
Announcements
† Hymn of Praise: “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”” UMH #203
† Call to Worship: (responsively)
Pastor: How shall we prepare for the coming of the Lord?
People: With hearts filled with love and peace.
Pastor: How shall we prepare for the coming of Christ?
People: With prayers filled with adoration and devotion.
Pastor: How shall we prepare for the coming of our savior?
People: With songs filled with joy and hope.
Pastor: How shall we prepare for the coming of the Son of God?
People: With worship filled with passion and spirit.
All: Come! Let us worship.
Opening Prayer: (In Unison)
God of love and renewal, enter the wilderness of our lives, and call us to prepare once
more for the coming of your son. Fill the valleys of our insecurities with hope, and bring low
the mountains of our pride and conceit. Make straight the paths before us, and guide our feet
in the ways of peace. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Affirmation of Faith: “The World Methodist Social Affirmation” UMH #886
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament Isaiah 11:1-10 Pew Bible Pg. 1076 & 1077
New Testament Matthew 3:1-12 Pew Bible Pg. 1499
Leader: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer– Followed by The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer Focus for this Week: Shut-ins
Preparatory Hymn: “Blessed Be the God of Israel” UMH #209
THANKSGIVING AND REFLECTION
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory “The Colors of Winter” Jan Kaupp
† Doxology: UMH #95
† Prayer of Dedication
Sermon: “The Story of Christmas” Rev. John Bhajjan
Invitation to Holy Communion UMH Pg. 12
SENDING FORTH
† Closing Hymn: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” UMH #213
† Benediction
† Threefold Amen: UMH #898
† Postlude “We Are a People of Peace” Jan Kaupp
† indicates Worshipers are invited to stand, if able.
MUSIC used with permission (CCLI License #1619157)
HYMNAL: UMH = United Methodist Hymnal