[Light the Candles]

RESPONSIVE HYMN [GTG#88]: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily:

to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.      

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy Lord, a voice has been heard in the wilderness preparing the way for

your son to arrive in this world. Prepare our hearts to receive your son and help

us to prepare for his coming. Amen.

*HYMN OF THE MONTH  [GTG#86]      “The People Who Walked In Darkness”

1. The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light. 

The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow rise to a star shining bright

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace (Repeat)

4. For us now a child is given, for all the despised and forlorn. 

The rule of compassion shall rest on his shoulder. God’s own Messiah is born! 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace (Repeat)

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God with us, you are coming into the world to bring all people together in peace. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit and abuse both neighbor and nature, and refuse your justice and peace. 

In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                    

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end, Amen, Amen.

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                         Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, O comfort my people,

   says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

   and cry to her

that she has served her term,

   that her penalty is paid,

that she has received from the Lord’s hand

   double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:

‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,

   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be lifted up,

   and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

   and the rough places a plain.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

   and all people shall see it together,

   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

A voice says, ‘Cry out!’

   And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’

All people are grass,

   their constancy is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

   when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

   surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades;

   but the word of our God will stand for ever.

Get you up to a high mountain,

   O Zion, herald of good tidings;

lift up your voice with strength,

   O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,

   lift it up, do not fear;

say to the cities of Judah,

   ‘Here is your God!’

See, the Lord God comes with might,

   and his arm rules for him;

his reward is with him,

   and his recompense before him.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd;

   he will gather the lambs in his arms,

and carry them in his bosom,

   and gently lead the mother sheep.

ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN 

CANTATA: THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT 

edited and arranged by Patrick M. Liebergen 

Conductor: Renna Shows Pianist: Kelly Cuppett

Choir: Bill Bottomley, Hazel Clinard, Lila Crotty, Pat Ellzey, Will Ellzey, Cheryl Emery, Alice Hull, Briana Mayfield, Cameron Mayfield, Aaron Ochart, Ron Palmisano, Karla Russo, Lindsay Shin, Betty Wan, Theo Wan, Dee Watkins.

Narrators: Sharon Fortin, Susan Lassalle, Louise Ochart  

 THE WORD MADE FLESH   

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                   

DOXOLOGY[BLUE#592] [GTG# 606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen

HYMN [Blue #12] [GTG#105]  “People, Look East”

1. People, look east. The time is near  Of the crowning of the year.

Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.

2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there:

Give up your strength the seed to nourish, 

That in course the flower may flourish.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way.

3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build, 

Guard the nest that must be filled.

Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way.

4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim 

One more light the bowl shall brim,

Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.

5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.

Set every peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

PARTING PRAYER

Almighty God, you have made us and all things to serve you. Now prepare the world for your rule. Come quickly to save us, so that wars and violence shall end, and your children may live in peace, honoring one another with justice and love; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG 90]               “Wait for the Lord”

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. 

Wait for the Lord; be strong; take heart!

POSTLUDE: Selections from A Christmas Light arr. Patrick Liebergen

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.