Bulletin for December 23, 2012. Click below to read more.

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WORSHIP DECEMBER 23, 2012
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE GATHERING
Leader: The Lord be with you. Drew Stockstill
People: And also with you.

THE PRELUDE Walter Huff, organist

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH The Chambers Family and Megan Mashburn
* Unison Prayer:
God of grace, ever faithful to your promises, the earth rejoices in the hope of
our Savior’s coming and looks forward with longing to his return. Prepare our
hearts to receive him when he comes, for he is Lord of all time and space. Amen.

* THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 49 Once in Royal David’s City

THE CALL TO CONFESSION

THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, though we are made in your image, we fail to live as you made us
to live. Where we have missed opportunities to serve, we need forgiveness.
Where we have been unkind, we need forgiveness. Where we have caused pain,
we need forgiveness. Where we harbor guilt and unease, we need forgiveness.
For what we know but cannot name, we need forgiveness. So remake us, we pray.
Call us and lead us where you would have us go, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A MOMENT OF SILENCE (for examination of conscience and personal prayers of confession)

THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk
in darkness but will have the light of life.” Friends, believe the promise of the Gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. - John 8:12

* THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn 23)
Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

* THE PEACE OF CHRIST
(Children ages 3-10 are invited to leave after the Baptisms for special classes. Threes, fours & fives are in
Room 011; K-1st grade in Room 003; 2nd-3rd grade in Room 001; 4th-5th grade in Room 005.)

THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
(Visitors and members are invited to sign the blue friendship register pad and pass it down the pew.)

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
People: With joy and thanksgiving we welcome these children into Christ’s
church. We are the family of God for we are all one in Christ.

THE CHORAL RESPONSE Of the Father’s Love Begotten Plainsong

THE FIRST LESSON Hebrews 10:5-10 Daisy Ottmann
(page 210 in the pew Bible, NT)
THE ANTHEM Of a Rose, a Lovely Rose (15th-century English text) John Rutter
Of a rose, a lovely rose, of a rose is all my song. Hearken to me, both old and young, how this rose began
to spring; a fairer rose to mine liking, in all this world ne know I none. Five branches of that rose there
been, the which be both fair and sheen; the rose is called Mary, heaven’s queen, out of her bosom a blossom
sprang. The first branch was of great honour: that blest Marie should bear the flower; there came an angel
from heaven’s tower, to break the devil’s bond. The second branch was great of might, that sprang upon
Christmas night; the star shone over Bethlehem bright, that man should see it both day and night. The third
branch did spring and spread; three kings then the branch gan led unto our Lady in her child-bed; into Bethlehem that branch sprang right. The fourth branch it sprang to hell, the devil’s power for to fell: that no soul
therein should dwell, the branch so blessedfully sprang.The fifth branch it was so sweet, it sprang to heaven,
both crop and root, therein to dwell and be our bote: so blessedly it sprang. Pray we to her with great honour,
she that bare the blessed flower, to be our help and our succour, and to shield us from the fiendes
bond.

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 1:39-55 (page 53 in the pew Bible, NT)

THE SERMON “Magnificat” Baron Mullis

* THE HYMN 53 What Child Is This?

* 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.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.

THE OFFERTORY Celtic Noel Traditional, arr. Tucker
Handbell Choir (Jeff Peters, director)
Cynthia Holzheimer, flute

* THE DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Hymn 592)

* THE HYMN 27 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child

* THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

* THE CHORAL RESPONSE Carol of the Advent (People, Look East) arr. Philip Dietterich
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty
weather, bright as sun and moon together. People, look East, and sing today. Love, the star, is on the way.
Angels, announce to man and beast, Him who cometh from the East. Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look East, and sing today. Love, the Lord, is on the way.