ORDER OF WORSHIP
December 20, 2020 - 9 AM Worship Service
Prelude

Welcome & Announcements

Introit – "A Celebration for Advent" - GENesis Bell Choir

Hymn of Praise There’s A Song in the Air, v 1,2,4 (UMH #249)
There's a song in the air!
There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer
 and a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire
 while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem
 cradles a King!
There's a tumult of joy
 over the wonderful birth,
For the virgin's sweet boy
 is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while
 the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem
 cradles a King!
We rejoice in the light,
 and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely
 evangel they bring,
And we greet in his cradle
 our Savior and King!
                                                                                                                              
Call to Worship:
Pastor: My soul magnifies the Lord;
People: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Pastor: O God, whose name is wonderful,
People: We will praise your name forever and declare your faithfulness to all generations.
Pastor: The Mighty One has done great things.
People: Holy is God’s name!
 
Scripture Lesson – Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Advent Wreath Liturgy
God does not come to us from nowhere; rather, through a people named Israel, a king named David, and a descendent of David named Jesus. Through an angel God speaks to Mary: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; his reign shall never end.
Through Mary, God speaks to us: my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, whose name is holy, who has humbled the proud and all their schemes, raised on high the lowly, and filled the hungry with good things.
 
We light this fourth candle as a sign of God’s love, shining brightly in the world through people past and present.
 
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle   
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, verse 5 (UMH #211)
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
The captives from their prison free,
and conquer death’s deep misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Prayer (Unison) Living God, thank you for coming into our world and meeting us in real people: people whose stories we can tell and experiences we can share. Thank you, above all, coming to us in Jesus. Amen.
 
GENesis Bell Choir "Silent Night"
 
Prayer of Intercession

Prayer of Confession
Faithful God, we know that you are always there to guide us, yet we often make plans without listening to you while writing off your plans as impossible. We’ve seen how our human agendas can drown out our ability to hear your will for us. Forgive us, Lord. Restore and strengthen us, such that we may perceive and embrace our calling in your coming reign, as your holy name is magnified forever. Amen.
 
Experiencing and Extending the Peace of Christ (Note: we will extend the Peace of Christ without physical contact.)
 
Offering

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer
 
Message in Music - "Breath of Heaven" - Trio
                                                                                                                                                    Sermon "How Can This Be?" - Pastor Brad  Text: Luke 1:26-38
 
HymnHark! The Herald Angels Sing (UMH #240)
Hark! The herald angels sing,
 “Glory to the newborn King;
 Peace on earth, & mercy mild,
 God & sinners reconciled!” 
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
 join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic hosts proclaim,
 “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”   
Hark! the herald angels sing,
 “Glory to the newborn King.”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored;
 Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
 Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the God head see;
 Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
 Jesus, our Emmanuel. 
Hark! The herald angels sing,
 “Glory to the newborn King.”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! 
 Hail the Sun of Righteousness! 
Light and life to all He brings,
 risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
 Born that we no more may die, 
Born to raise us from the earth,
 Born to give us second birth. 
Hark! The herald angels sing,
 “Glory to the newborn King.”
 
Benediction

Postlude/Dismissal

Accompanist: Brian Barber
GENesis Bell Choir
Trio: Valerie Haenn, Alissa Nelson, Roy Nelson
Tithes and offerings may be brought to worship,
given through the website 'Give' tab at the top right corner, through text giving (877-960-2396)
or by mail: 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974
Advent Mission Offerings are also accepted online, in person or by mail.
Thank you for your generosity!
St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-357-6998
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Pastor