Gathering as the Body of Christ
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
*Call to Worship
Liturgist: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has come to set the chosen people free.
People: The Lord has raised up for us. A mighty Savior from the house of David.
Liturgist: Through the holy prophets, God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us;
People: To show mercy to our forebears and to remember the holy covenant.
Liturgist: This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
People:: To set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship without fear, holy and righteous in the Lord's sight, all the days of our life.
Liturgist: And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
People:: To give God's people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
Liturgist: In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
People: To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
UMH #208
Advent Candle Lighting
“As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you.” Through the ages God’s people have longed for a righteous ruler who will speed the day when God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. We light the first Advent candle as hopeful citizens of God’s kingdom, awaiting the arrival of the Anointed One. Jesus, you are King.
Micah 5:21 and adapted from the Incarnation: Leader Guide, by Mike Poteet
*Opening Prayer
God Most High, who rules over all, you claim and call us all—despite our differences and disagreements—to be your Son’s followers. May your Spirit so fill our minds and hearts as we worship you that we come to understand and embody what it means to welcome Jesus the Messiah, to praise him, and to follow him as the King of kings and Prince of Peace. Amen.
Adapted from the Incarnation: Leader Guide, by Mike Poteet
Opening Hymn
“What Child Is This”
UMH #219
Joys and Concerns
(in-person service only)
Pastoral Prayer
Prayer Response
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
UMH #211, vs 1
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Scripture Readings
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
Matthew 2:1-2
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men[a] from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,[b] and have come to pay him homage.”
Liturgist The word of God for the people of God.
People Thanks be to God.
Message
"The Royal Titles: Lord and Messiah"
Pastor Seok-Hwan
Message in Music
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
arr. by C. Winfred Douglas
Lydia Solodiuk, organist
(online service only)
Offertory Prayer
Generous God, creator, redeemer, sustainer, to you we present this resources and gifts, symbol of the work you have given us to do; use it, use us, in the service of your world to the glory of your name. Amen.
Church of Scotland
Closing Hymn
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
UMH #234
The Blessing and Sending Forth
In-person Servers
Organist: Matt Cron
Liturgist: Melva-Jean Shepherd
Greeter: Sharon Lipp
Usher: Roy Higgins
Online Servers
Liturgist: Bev Welsh
Video: Mark Beatty
