Sunday, December 12, 2021 - Finding Our Confidence (in Joy)

Theme: Finding Ourselves in Jesus’ Story - Finding Our Confidence (in Joy)

Hymn         My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout      (In Person Only)

Welcome

 

Lighting of the Advent Candle (Hope, Peace, & Joy)

Prayer for God’s Presence

Luke 1:26-29                           Common English Bible Translation

When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (Question: When is it hardest in your life to rejoice?)

Carol    Angels We Have Heard on High   (In Person Only)

Luke 1:30-34

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most Hight. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” (Question: What are the surprises in life that have been challenging? How did you respond?)

Hymn  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel   (In Person Only)

Luke 1:35-39

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. Nothing is impossible for God.” Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. (Question: How have you experienced God in challenging moments of your life?)

Luke 1:40-45

Mary entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” (Question: How have you shared joy with others?)

Carol  Joy to the World       (In Person Only)

Luke 1:46-55

Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name. He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.” (Question: How do you hold onto joy?)

Reflection Together     (In Person Only)

Offering Ourselves to God

  During this time let us reflect upon the words of “Silent Night”

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright ‘round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born!”

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at they birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.

Carol       Silent Night         (In Person Only)

Prayers of the People and 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever. Amen

Benediction

Closing Carol      Good Christian Friends, Rejoice      (In Person Only)

Hymn List

88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

100 My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout

113 Angels We Have Heard on High

122 Silent Night, Holy Night!

132 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

134 Joy to the World

Advent Series November 28th – December 19th

Theme: Finding Ourselves in Jesus’ Story

Dec 19th – Celebrating Our Relationships (in Love)

            Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Christmas Eve Services

Dec 19th @ 5pm

Dec 24th @ 7pm

Sunday, December 26th Worship is Online Only (No in person worship this day)