Worship - December 21, 2014

Worship Order for Sunday

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
December 21, 2014
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

Fourth Sunday of Advent

“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)     “Love came down at Christmas”     208
Announcements
Prelude                                   “Christmas Bells”                              Gade
                             (children come forward to quietly help prepare)

Lighting the fourth Advent candle

*Call to Worship (back of bulletin)

*Unison Invocation (back of bulletin)

*Hymn “Good Christian friends, rejoice” 210

Scripture Psalm 89:1-4

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Christmas carol
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

Preparing a song “This is Christmas morn” (insert)

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

Hymn “Let all mortal flesh” 463
(as we sing, children quietly leave for craft & lesson time)

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Luke 1:26-38

Hymn “The angel Gabriel” 180

Message “A heavenly host around us”

*Hymn “Hark! The herald angels sing” 201

*Benediction

*Postlude “O How Joyfully”

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Lighting the fourth Advent candle

The last announcement is an invitation for the children to come forward. During the Prelude, they will assist in placing the pointsettia around the worship table. Thus, they continue to help prepare our worship space for Christmas, a process they began three weeks ago. At the end of the Prelude, they should be arrayed in a line from the pulpit to the wreath, ready to help light the first, second, third and fourth candles in the following:

You have been helping to prepare the way for our celebration of Christmas by arranging the front our sanctuary with candles, Bethlehem background, nativity set and flowers. Each week something new has been added. Furthermore, there are four candles in our wreath for the four Sundays of Advent. On the first Sunday, we lit the first candle (light a small “Christmas Eve” candle in holder and hold it up), rejoicing in the hope we have in Christ. Let’s re-light the first Advent candle. As we do so, say the word “Hope” to one another.

(pass the candle from child to child, each one saying to the next, “Hope.”
The last re-lights the front candle, then passes it back.
Hold up the small “Christmas Eve” candle.)

We re-light the second Advent candle, rejoicing in the “Peace” we have in Christ. As you pass the light, say the word “Peace” to one another.

(pass the candle from child to child, each one saying to the next, “Peace.”
The last lights the left candle, then passes it back.
Hold up the small “Christmas Eve” candle.)

We re-light the third Advent candle, rejoicing in the “Joy” we have in Christ. As you pass the light, say the word “Joy” to one another.

(pass the candle from child to child, each one saying to the next, “Joy.”
The last re-lights the right candle, then passes it back.
Hold up the small “Christmas Eve” candle.)

We now light the fourth Advent candle, rejoicing in the “Love” we have in Christ. As you pass the light, say the word “Love” to one another.

(pass the candle from child to child, each one saying to the next, “Love.”
The last lights the back candle, then passes it back.
Children remain standing up front.
Motion for the congregation to stand with them.)

Call to Worship

Angel: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor
with God.

People: Rejoice in the Lord!

Mary: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me
according to your word.

People: Rejoice in the Lord always!

Elizabeth: Blessed is she who believed there would be fulfillment
of what was spoken to her by the Lord.

People: And again we say, rejoice!

Mary:       My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in
                God my Savior. He has looked with favor on the
                lowliness of his servant; holy is his name.

All: Let us rejoice in God our Savior!

Theresa Cocklin Eshhach
Mechanicsburg, PA Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085,
"The Living Word" Series

Unison Invocation

Mighty One, who has done great things for us, we join Mary and all your servants who proclaim the good news from generation to generation. As the advent of the Messiah draws near, may our actions magnify your love, and our spirits ardently rejoice in your saving grace through Jesus Christ—your only begotten Son and our Savior. Amen.

Theresa Cocklin Eshhach
Mechanicsburg, PA Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085,
"The Living Word" Series

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Let us pray…

Amen.

Ushers?

Pastoral Prayer

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

Benediction

Now to God who is able to strengthen you
    according to the gospel
                   and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
    according to the revelation of the mystery
        that was kept secret for long ages
             but is now disclosed,
                        and through the prophetic writings
                   is made known to all the Gentiles,
    according to the command of the eternal God,
                                         to bring about
                                              the obedience of faith—
         to the only wise God,
                      through Jesus Christ,
               to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 16:25-27, slightly adapted from the New Revised Standard Version
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved