Worship - December 18, 2005

Please remain seated and turn to #208 in our hymnals, and lets do just that - sing of God�s steadfast love which came down at Christmas. Just the first verse.

Lighting the Advent Candle

As vs. 1 of "Love came down at Christmas" (208) is sung, the candlighting family comes forward with a lit candle, following the processing Alleluia Choir. Along the way, one of this family will grab the microphone on the floor stand (returning it afterward). Standing on either side of the advent wreath (so that it�s not hidden), each reads their portion. F1,2,3,4, & 5 are members of the family lighting the candles, WL is the Worship Leader

F1 - Last Sunday we lit the candle of joy.

WL - We light it and the candles of hope and peace again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring us everlasting peace and joy.

(a person lights the candles of hope, peace, and joy - the 3 previously lit)

F2 - The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love.

WL - It�s light is meant to remind us of the love that God has for us.

F3 - Jesus shows us God�s perfect love.

WL - He is God�s love in human form. The bible says that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

F4 - Love is patient, love is kind and envies no one.

WL - Love is never boastful or conceited, rude or selfish. Love is not quick to take offense, it keeps no records of wrongs, it does not gloat over other people�s troubles, but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true. There is nothing that love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never ends.

F5 - We light this candle today to remind us of how God�s perfect love is found in Jesus.

(a person lights the fourth candle - love [the one furthest back])

by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild �1993, 1996, 1999, 2002
adapted from "Year B - Advent Candle Lighting"

Opening Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love - shown to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen

by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild �1993, 1996, 1999, 2002
adapted from "Year B - Advent Candle Lighting"

For Children
"Taking care of your gift"

Our children's storyteller, Ed Lewis, will share about a couple of gifts that his children received (at different Christmases), where the gifts were broken or stolen before the kids ever got to enjoy them. Along the way the story will express how the birth of Christ is our gift "anew." How do we take care of this "gift"? Unlike presents under the tree, this is a different kind of gift. It's a gift to be shared, a gift to praise, and a gift to live by.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Are you taking care of the gifts God has given you? "Taking care" of a gift doesn�t mean that we stick it safely away in a closet where it can�t be damaged. In such a place, it only gathers dust. The best care of God�s gifts, financial and otherwise, is to be put to use in the work of the kingdom, to spread them around so that the gift keeps on giving. As you return your offering just now, remember, once again, the words of "the king" in the story Jesus told: "Truly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40)

The ushers are ready to receive what you have to give.

Alleluia Choir
"Who Will Welcome Him?"
Sally Albrecht, Jay Althouse
�1998, Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.
Audio Clip (Real Audio)

The first two verses pose questions:
         Who will welcome Him when he comes?
         Who will be ready, cleansed from sin?
         Who will sing to Him when He comes?
         Who will sing to God's son?
         Who are the chosen ones?

The last verse answers the questions:
         We will welcome Him when He comes.
         We will welcome the little one.
         We will sing to Him when He comes.
         We will sing to God's son.
         We will be ready, cleansed from sin.
         Open our hearts and let Him in.
         We will welcome Him when He come
         We are the chosen ones. We are God's chosen ones.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Benediction

Amid your preparation for Christmas (now only a week away!)
                  Do not ignore God�s song within you.
                                    Give voice to this steadfast love.
         Sing it - even if it comes out as "joyful noise�!
                           It�s God�s song, for heaven�s sake!
         Live it - so what if you stumble and fall trying!
                           Christ, after all, is living in you!
         Share it - no matter how inadequate you may feel.
                           Let it be! Let it be! Let it be!