The Service for the Lord’s Day 2nd Sunday of Advent
Christmas Cantata “The Glory of Christmas”
December 9, 2018
WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD, THE LORD OF LIFE
Prelude “The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came” arr. H Hopson
Toccata on “One Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” arr. G Macchia
News of the Church
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*The Greeting and Welcoming of One Another
(There are no strangers in God’s House, just friends we have not yet met.
Greet your neighbor with Christian love and let them know that you’re glad to see them!)
*Hymn #82 “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
*Call to Worship
Leader: We come today in anticipation;
People: hopeful and eager to witness the glory of Christmas.
Leader: Christmas is in the air, it is in our hearts and homes;
People: but the glory of the season is in the coming of the Savior!
Leader: Lift up your voices and sing praises to the Lord, who saved the world
through His birth in a manger.
ALL: Let us worship and praise the glory of God!
Lighting of the Advent Candle Kathy Stockham and Arline Oliver
He came down that we may have hope; he came down that we may have
hope; he came down that we may have hope; hallelujah forevermore.
*Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Dear Lord, we know the true meaning of Christmas, but we let ourselves be distracted by commercials and tinsel. We shop for gifts, bake and decorate until we are too tired to spend time with family and in Your Word. We smile and wish each other a Merry Christmas while trying to remember what comes next on the to-do list. Help us to remember the true glory of Advent: preparing our hearts and minds for You! Help us to celebrate by sharing the glory of the season with all we meet…(Silent time of prayer)
*Assurance of Pardon
Leader: As we exchange gifts this Christmas season, let us praise Jesus for the gift
of mercy and forgiveness He gives us today and every day, until we can
witness His glory face to face.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
* The Gloria Patri – Hymn Tune, 581
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Message
After the Children’s Message, preschoolers through 1st graders may continue to Millard Hall for Children’s Church. All other students are asked to remain in worship.
Cantata “The Glory of Christmas” L Larson
The Hope of Christmas “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning”
The Promise of Christmas “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”
The Wonder of Christmas “Child of Promise, Child of Love”
Gloria Stover, soloist
The Majesty of Christmas “Jesus Is Born Tonight”
The Mystery of Christmas “Christ Is Born This Holy Night”
The Brilliance of Christmas “Guide Us to the Perfect Light”
The Glory of Christmas “The Glory of Christmas!”
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the
power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Offertory “The Rocking Carol” A Page
*Doxology (The Hymnal, p. 606)
*Prayer of Dedication
WE GO FORTH TO SERVE
*Hymn #93 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
*Benediction
Postlude Voluntary on “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” arr. G Macchia
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*Please stand, in body or in spirit
Thanks to the choir and orchestra for sharing their talents with us this morning!
Chancel Choir
Kameron Brooks Dennis Brown Lois Feddersen Pat Gates
Jan Jackson David McBride John Nelson Phyllis Phillips
Alan Reinarz Betty Sender Bob Shuster Amy Smith
Pam Smith Gloria Stover Lily Symens Myrna Vasta
Karlene Werner James Wilson Mary Wilson
Orchestra
Flute: Christine Beard, Diane Diffey Oboe: Andrea Smith
Clarinet: Gene Williams, Renee Pflughaupt Bassoon: James Compton
Horn: Garrett Law, Kathleen Campbell Trumpet: Debbie Bouffard,
Cello: Sophia Potter Jaime Tyser, Jesse McBee
Timpani: Scott Shinbara Bass: Jeremy Baguyos
Trombone: Paul Niedbalski, Noel Johnson Tuba: Jay Wise
Percussion: Jason Dominokos Violin: Frank Seligman, Melissa Pruss
Viola: Molly Moriarty
