December 23, 2012

Theme: Remember, Recognize & Rejoice! Let's Live this HOPE!

Today is the Carol Sing with intermittent testimonies about Christmas traditions and holiday memories that taught us to set this time of year apart and recognize it as a special time--because of the Good News of Jesus' birth. AMy is choosing the Carol & Orders for this service. Lisa is locating and developing the testimonies (4-6 at 3 minutes each).

Liturgist: 

Scriptures:

Preparing for Worship

Chimes

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude (Wreath lowered here, unless choir is singing--in which case, we will need some incidental music afterwards as wreath lowers. Incidental can continue behind the Words of Preparation.) (Prelude on Red 124              “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”        xx)

Words of Preparation: (Tracie, please put in bulletin)
Hope is the candle, burning so bright. Peace is the gift we find by Hope's light. Love is the place where Peace can abide. Joy is the sound of Love open wide.

Procession of the Light-- (Acolyte processes with "tinkly bells" from that gizmo on top of the organ.)

Lighting the Advent Wreath   

Hymn of Praise: 

Red 145               “O Come All Ye Faithful”                      xx

    (Wreath is raised here during hymn.)

Call to Worship:
Leader: Welcome all who come, all who seek the Lord.
People: God is here with us, Emmanuel.
Leader: Welcome whoever you are, for God loves you.
People: So come seek the truth.
Leader: Come hear the promise.
People: Come share the joy.
Leader: Let us rejoice together and be filled with God's Spirit.
People: God is here with us, Emmanuel.
— adapted from a litany “Copyright Lisa Frenz. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."

Invocation

The Lord's Prayer

Gloria Patri

A Time for Offering

Call to Offering

Offering Meditation (Red 123               “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”             x)

The Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

We Join in Prayer

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

Morning Prayer                                                                                     

We Contemplate & Live God's Word

Children's Sermon           "Here We Come a Caroling!"

Carol Sing

Introduction: "Let Us Rejoice"

Red 128              “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”         xx

Red 132              “Angels We Have Heard on High”        xxxxx

Reading 1
Margo McMurray

Red 133              “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”              xxxx

Red 136              “The First Noel”                                       xx

Reading 2
Mark CR

Red 137             “What Child Is This?”                               xxxxxxx

Reading 3
Denny Chandler

Gathering at the Lord's Table

Call to Communion

Hymn of Communion: Red 139              “I Wonder as I Wander”                          x

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Words of Institution

Breaking Bread & Pouring the Cup

Musical Meditation (Red 157                “Away in a Manger”                              x)

Partaking of the Lord's Supper

We Depart to Serve

Benediction

Parting Hymn:  Red 152              “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”     xxxx

Postlude (on Red 162               “The Birthday of a King”                        x)