December 15 — Look Forward

We’re glad to have you with as we continue the journey toward the glorious birth of Christ. Today, we light the Advent candle of Joy.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Song of Mary — Howell

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Let us rejoice together!
All: With joyful expectation, we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth!
One: This little child of holy birth will be the Joy of all the earth!
All: Jesus Christ is God’s Coming Messiah!
One: Together, we eagerly watch for the advent of the Promised One.
All: How great is our joy!

*HYMN — Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus — #187

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Compassionate God, you have vowed to be with your people forever; and, down through time, you have continued faithfully fulfilling this promise. In the fullness of time, you came to life as a human being here on earth, guiding all creation toward a hope-filled future.
God of Advent, we are grateful to you for accompanying us as we move ahead during this season. We give you thanks for blessing us with patience as we continue waiting and preparing for this year’s celebration of your birth. We rejoice that you are coming, O God Emmanuel. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH — The Candle of Joy

*RESPONSE — Emmanuel — #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Jo Ann Moody

SPECIAL MUSIC — Antiphonal for Advent — Raney

GOD’S WORD — Isaiah 12:2-6

*HYMN — Love Was When God Became a Man — #249

Love was when God became a man
Locked in time and space without rank or place;
Love was God born of Jewish kin,
Just a carpenter with some fishermen.

Love was when Jesus walked in history
Lovingly He brought a new life that’s free;
Love was God nailed to bleed and die
To reach and love one such as I.

Love was when God became a man
Down where I could see love that reached to me;
Love was God dying for my sin
And so trapped was I, my whole world caved in.

Love was when Jesus rose to walk with me
Lovingly He brought an new life that’s free;
Love was God only He would try
To reach and love one such as I.

GOD’S WORD — Luke 3:7-18

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee — #13

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee!

Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou art Father, Christ our Brother, All who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus, Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life.

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers — Manz