WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE         “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” 

                                                                                 Charles Callahan

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – The Singletary Family

*HYMN 105          People, Look East

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                     

Almighty God, while we rejoice in the birth of our Savior, we do not always find joy in following him. We seek to satisfy ourselves with earthly joy, joy that does not last. We turn away from the guidance of your Word and follow our own selfish desires. We do not walk in love as Jesus walked and instead put our needs ahead of the needs of others. Have mercy on us and forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake. Lead us to find joy in following Jesus our Lord. …

Silent Prayers of confession

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (sung in unison, Hymn 121, vs. 4)

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE – from 1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace cleanse you through and through.  The promise from Scripture is that our whole being -- spirit, soul and body will be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rejoice and give thanks, for we receive forgiveness and healing in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: 1st Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:39-56 

SERMON           “Singing Mary’s Song”      Rev. Barrett Ingram 

*HYMN 104          O Lord, How Shall I Meet You 

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH        The Apostles’ Creed           Page 35

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.  

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM   “Where is the Child?”   John Ness Beck

                                                                         Jamie Faulk, soloist   

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY       

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 134          Joy to the World  

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE  Trumpet Tune on “Wachet Auf”       

  Martha Sobaje