December 22, 2024

St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Fourth Sunday of Advent/ December 22, 2024

 

“The Hopes and Fears of All the Year’s Are Met in Thee Tonight…”
 Phillips Brooks, 1867

Ringing of the Bell

Announcements/ Welcome             Rev. Linda Anderson

Prelude             Dr. James Wagner, organist

Fourth Advent Reading                          Everett & Evelyn Hard, readers

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle (Love)

Carol No. 128  “One Candle is Lit”  (vs. 1-4)        Chancel Choir, hymn leader

*Call to Worship             Christine Schwab, liturgist
One: We come to glorify God, to rejoice in the One who came for us.
All: God comes, so we might believe, so we might be blessed.
One: Our hearts leap for joy! For God is coming to us in a child.
All: God comes for those who hunger for hope, for those who thirst for grace.
One: Holy is the One who comes in God's name, who fulfills every promise of God.
All: God comes to walk with those who follow in faith, to bring peace to a shattered world.

*Carol No. 119  “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

*Opening Prayer         Christine Schwab, liturgist

God of the impossible and unlikely, God of pregnant old women and virgins, you turn our conventional world upside down, where the hungry are fed, and arrogant rich are turned away. Instill in us unthinkable marvels. Make us pregnant with wonder through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Carol No. 125  “Come, O Long Expected Jesus”

Old Testament Lesson  Micah 5:1-5             Christine Schwab, liturgist

Special Music          Dr. James Wagner

Psalm 97 (responsive)            Rev. Anderson
The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!                                                                                                      
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.                                                       
Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.                                                                                                                 
His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.  
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.                                                                                                       
The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
 All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.                                      
Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.                                                                     
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.                                                                                     
The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.                    
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.    
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Anthem  “C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S”                                 Tim Ruffner, soloist     

Gospel Lesson  Luke 1:39-56

 Message  “Pregnant with Hope”       Rev. Anderson

Luke 2:1-7                    Christine Schwab, liturgist

Carol insert  “O Holy Night”

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures  

 here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly host; praise Father,  

 Son, and Holy ghost.  Amen.    

A Time of Prayer/ 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. 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, the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

*Carol No.  150  “Hark!  the Herald Angels Sing”

Titus 2:11-14        Rev. Anderson

Carol No 176  “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

*Dismissal with Blessing

Postlude /Recessional: Please remain in your pews as the Light of Christ leads the way into the world at the close of service.
*Congregation standing as you are able.

 

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