Order of Worship
December 17, 2017
Third Sunday of Advent
To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prelude (Please silence cell phones at this time)
Welcome and Greeting*
Opening Hymn* (please stand if you are able) #278 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Lighting of the Advent Candles:
Call to Worship
Minister: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
People: For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
(Isaiah 35:5-6)
Minister: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
People: And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Congregational Prayer of Confession
ALL: O God, in the beginning You spoke, and creation was born, the object of Your loving care. In the fullness of time You spoke, and the Word became flesh, Jesus, gift of Your love. We wonder at the miracle of creation; we stand in awe before the mystery of the incarnation. Forgive us earthbound creatures, feeble in faith, empty of hope, lacking in love. We wait upon You with ready hearts, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord Lord Jesus, hear our prayers.
(A time for private confession and thanksgiving)
Words of Assurance and Pardon of the Gospel (John 1:4-5)
Minister: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This is the good news!
People: Thanks Be to our great God!
Sung Response of Praise #281 “What Child Is This?”
Proclamation of Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 NLT
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Sermon “Worship Fully”
“The Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Call for Offering
Offertory “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Doxology
Offertory Prayer
Closing Hymn “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings“
Announcements
1. Christmas Family Adoption
2. Congregational Meeting today!
Benediction
Postlude