WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Gordon Phillip

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES

*HYMN 82 “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful Father, come among us, and because we are sinners, let your grace and mercy help and deliver us and continue to provide for our needs so we may accomplish your will through remembering that we do so in love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Almighty and merciful Lord, grant us absolution and remission of our sins, true repentance, amendment of life and the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Amen

*GLORIA

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Micah 5:2-5, Luke 1:39-56

SERMON “Taking Time to Find Balance”

Rev Maryellen Robeson

*HYMN 88 (vss. 1-3) “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

*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 “We’ll Welcome Him” Ruth E. Schram

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 119 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” Paul Manz

*Those who are able are invited to stand.