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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 80)

L: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
P: You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
L: Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
P: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
L: Come, let us worship the LORD!

 

Call to Worship
from the Canticle of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior
The arm of the Lord is strong!
God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
God has come to the aid of God's people Israel.
Let us worship the Lord!

Call to Worship

Arise, shine, for your light has come!
O come, let us adore him.
And the glory of the lord is risen upon you!
O come, let us adore him.
And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising
O come, let us adore him.

Congregation sings: Christ the Lord. O Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. Come and behold him, born the King of angels. And the government shall be upon his shoulders … O come, let us adore him. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

 

Prayer based on all Lections
by Rev. F. Schaefer

God of Life and Peace, we celebrate with Mary and Joseph the announcement of that the coming birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We are amazed that you use the lowly and the humble, even the young virgin Mary, to make your love and grace known to us.    With Mary we shall magnify your name and we shall rejoice in our Salvation forever.

With Micah we await the time of final peace on earth and humbly ask you to use us to usher in your eternal reign on earth. We will forever celebrate the birth announced in today's Gospel.  Gracious and loving God, help us to find ways through the walls we have built around ourselves as a human family. We believe that with you all things are possible in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen

 

Invocation:

From the one who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty: grace, light, and peace be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen

 

 

Lighting The Fourth Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (repeated each week or not, as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7

Responsive Reading for 4th Advent

L: We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace
P: May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy.
L: May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts and minds
P: We eagerly await the arrival of the King of Glory.

Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel

 

Intercessory Prayer

As the fulfillment of our hope draws near, let us raise our heads and lift our voices in prayer for the church, the world, and all according to their need.

Mighty One, whose name is holy, fill your church in all places with wonder at your mighty deeds, that we may practice your will, sing your praise, and answer your constant calling. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Humble the nations with the compassion you show to the poor and lowly, that with softened hearts, world leaders may turn from war and embrace the way of justice you have shown in Jesus Christ. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Give peace to those who are too busy, who are hurting emotionally, who are unable to hear your message of hope. Embrace us, and love us. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Speak a word of hope to those who suffer the pain of abuse, and those who are burdened with illness (especially). Use us to lift up the lowly and proclaim a song of hope to all in need. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Build up your people in this parish for the work of ministry, that the hearts of all the baptized will be moved to witness to your power in the world. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Prepare our hearts to join the eternal voices of all the faithful who have died in you. May we draw strength from their lives, and join them in singing of your wondrous acts of salvation. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Hear our prayers, mighty God, as we rejoice in your reign already revealed, and long for the peace, justice, and love yet to dawn, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

A Closing Christmas Prayer
by Laurence Hull Stookey

Eternal God,
by the birth of Jesus Christ you gave yourself to the world.
Grant that , being born in our hearts,
he may save us from all our sins,
and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator,
to whom be everlasting praise and glory,
world without end.  Amen.