WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE “Wake, Awake for Night is Flying” Robert J. Powell

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE

*HYMN 87 Comfort, Comfort Now My People

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Forgive my sins, O Lord. The sins of my soul and the sins of my body. The sins I have done to please myself and the sins I have done to please others. Forgive those sins which I know and those which I know not. Forgive them all in your mercy, that I may share the hope of the prophets, the songs of the angels, and the wonder of the shepherds. Cleanse my soul that your Son, when he comes, may find in me a dwelling place…

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Our rejoicing is certainly based on the generosity of God, for as we read in Hebrews, “it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Rejoice then over this great Good News: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 1:39-56

SERMON “In Hopeful Expectation” Rev. Barrett Ingram

*HYMN 83 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*“catholic” (little c) is translated as “universal” and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERTORY ANTHEM “Prepare the Way of the Lord” Larkin

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “Prepare the Royal Highway” James Mansfield

*Those who are able are invited to stand.