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Fourth Sunday of Advent
12/21/2025 - 10:30 pm
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CENTERING MUSIC “What Child Is This? John Stainer
MOMENT OF HOPE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES OF HOPE, PEACE, JOY, AND LOVE.
Choir: As we watch for the dawn of a brighter day, a candle of love lights the way.
As we look for the signs of the promised birth, of a Savior who brings heaven to earth.
All sing: Lord, we are waiting for peace to reign.
Lord, we are listening for love’s refrain.
For hope, peace and joy and love to unite
in the beauty of wonder of Advent’s holy light.
(the first, second, third and fourth candles are lit)
One: Today the fourth candle, the candle of Love, joins the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy. Like the combined glow of many candles, let this season remind us of the strength found in unity as we come together to love and uplift one another. Let the warmth of love illuminate the connections that bind us together and foster us in a deep sense of belonging.
Love creates the bond that provide us with deep meaningful relationships.
The greatest of all gifts is love.
Love inspires random acts of kindness and generosity.
The greatest of all gifts is love.
Love causes us to look for the best in others.
The greatest of all gifts is love.
Love allows us to be accepted for who we are, flaws and all
The greatest of all gifts is love.
Gracious Creator, we gather in your presence today, hearts brimming with gratitude for the extraordinary gift of love you have bestowed upon us. May the celebration of love extend beyond our immediate circles, creating ripples of compassion and unity in the world. In recognizing the beauty of love, may we become vessels of your light, shining brightly for all to see. Amen.
All sing: Lord, we are waiting for peace to reign.
Lord, we are listening for love’s refrain.
For hope, peace and joy and love to unite in the beauty of wonder of Advent’s holy light.
BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY
Sing: Like a child love would send to reveal and to mend,
Like a child and a friend, Jesus comes.
Like a child we may find claiming heart, soul, and mind,
Like a child strong and kind, Jesus comes.
Today’s Story “ Advent #4”
Kathleen Krentz & Peter Cloven
Leader: And as we continue our worship…
Congregation: May God be with you there.
Children: May God be with you here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: God in your Grace,
People: Hear our prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your 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.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURES AND INTERPRETATION CHOIR
SCRIPTURES & INTERPRETATIONS CHOIR
“Comfort Ye My People” Solo
ISAIAH 40:1-5
“And the Glory of the Lord” Chorus
ISAIAH 9:1-7
“Behold! A Virgin Shall Conceive” Solo
“O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” Solo & Chorus
“For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth” Solo
“The People That Walked in Darkness” Solo
LUKE 2:1-14
“There Were Shepherds Abiding in The Field” Solo
“And Lo! The Angel of the Lord Came Upon Them Solo
“And The Angel Said Unto Them” Solo
“And Suddenly there Was With the Angel” Solo
“Glory to God” Chorus
“Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion!” Solo
REVELATION 19:5-6
“Hallelujah Chorus” Chorus & Congregation
Soloists – in order of appearance: Thomas Ellison, Kimberly D’Onofrio, Lyle Swallow, Karen Huff, Traci Akiki
Readers - in order of appearance: Tom Coward, Mary Suite, Lois Kail, Karen Huff
MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #133 O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.
O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold him, born the King of angels!
Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!
True God from true God, Light from light eternal,
Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Very God, begotten, not created!
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, All ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing!
MOMENT OF THANKS
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY “Joy” George Winston
*ADVENT DOXOLOGY Tune: Infant Holy
Glory be to God, Creator; glory be to Christ the Son;
Glory be to Holy Spirit, glory to the Three-in-One.
Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart,
As we glory in your Presence, giving from a grateful heart.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: Thank you God for this blessed Christmas Season and for the reminders of all we have to share! Help us to be open to sharing more deeply and truly in all things.
All: Amen
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, through-out the heavens there shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! Above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
POSTLUDE “Joy to the World” Isaac Watts
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION