SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
3rd Sunday of Advent
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
December 13, 2020 Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Jeremy Moore
Please silence all cell phones..
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
MINUTE FOR MISSION- Christmas Angel Tree
PRELUDE “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” Pachelbel
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
One: In this season of gift-buying, it’s easy to confuse possessions with happiness.
Many: Sometimes we choose the material when we need the mystical.
One: Sometimes we hesitate to really feel it; we’re bound up in other worries.
Many: We could all use some joy.
One: We have turned avoidance into a kind of exile.
Many: Now it’s time to come together again, to bind up broken hearts together.
One: Get ready for good news of great joy.
Many: Let us celebrate God’s goodness.
(Light the first, second, and third candles.)
One: “I surely rejoice in the Lord; my heart is joyful because of my God.” (Isaiah 61:10a, CEB)
Many: Our loving God promises everlasting joy.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
HYMN 8 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” TRURO
CONFESSION
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI 579
PROCLAMATION
FIRST LESSON Luke 4:16-21 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
SECOND LESSON Isaiah 61:1-11
L: The Word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSICAL OFFERING
from “Night of the Father’s Love” by Pepper Choplin
“Waiting”
Narration (Sue Crawford, Barbara Rammelts, and Bob Malsbary): We gather here to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We come to remember when God visited the earth in the form of a child. And we meet to worship the Lord and celebrate the new life he offers us. We pray that we will experience God’s presence in a fresh way. This is the true meaning of Christ’s birth. The angel said that he would be “Emmanuel,” which means, “God with us”. God is always with us. But when we welcome His Spirit into our hearts and minds, we experience the comfort and power of God’s presence.
Before Christ came into the world, God’s people awaited his arrival for centuries. So now, we wait- that God will move among us as we listen to the story of the Christmas miracle. The psalmist said, “…the Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him, it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Come… let us be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
Waiting, we are waiting, Lord. Waiting, we are waiting, Lord.
Fill our mind ‘til we find Your light, Your truth.
Now let us know Your presence, Lord, Emmanuel, God, be with us.
We welcome you with open hearts, Emmanuel, God be with us.
God be with us, Emmanuel.
Listening, we are listening, Lord. Listening, we are listening, Lord.
Draw us near, let us hear Your Word for us.
Now let us know your presence, Lord, Emmanuel, God be with us.
We welcome you with open hearts, Emmanuel, God be with us.
God be with us. Emmanuel.
Patience, give us patience, Lord. Patience, give us patience, Lord.
When we pray, give us faith that You hear ev’ry prayer.
As we’re waiting… We are waiting… Waiting.
Angels are Making Their Rounds
Narration: While the world waited, the Spirit of God was stirring. Angels began to appear and brought messages to earth as they prepared for Christ’s birth. And the angel said to Mary, Then the angel of the Lord appeared to Zecharia. Behold, the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Fear not…” “Fear not, Zecharia, your prayer has been heard.” “…fear not, Joseph, to take Mary as your wife…” “Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” “Zechariah, your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name, John.” “And behold, Mary, you will conceive in your womb, and you shall bring forth a son…” “…and she shall bring forth a son…” “…and you shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.” “…and you shall call his name Jesus.”
Angels are making their rounds,
Fear not Zechariah, for the Lord has heard your prayer.
Elizabeth will bear a son.
Hail, O blessed one, you have favor with God.
Angels are making their rounds, O my, what a beautiful sound.
Heaven’s glory comes down when angels are making their rounds.
Fear not, Joseph, go and take Mary to be your wife,
for she carries a holy Child.
Unto you is born a Savior, glory to God and peace on earth,
for now the Lord is with you.
Angels are making their rounds, O my, what a beautiful sound.
Heaven’s glory comes down when angels are making their rounds.
BELL CHOIR ”Angels We Have Heard on High”
RESPONSE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism
- What is your only comfort in life and in death?
- That I am not my own, but belong- body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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
The gifts of God for the people of God.
PARTING PRAYER Prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
POSTLUDE Carillon from 24 Pieces en style libre (excerpt) – Louis VierneParticipating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor, Julie Hebert, CE Leader, Sandy Cranfill, Music Director, and Sam Garnett, Organist.
Appreciation to David Garland and Dennis Lauland for the video production of today’s service.
Thank You to Larry and Sheryl Wise for the Beautiful flowers in the Sanctuary to Honor the Glory of God.
For more information about JCPC and a list of events,
visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org
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JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click “Prayer Request.” |