Advent 4 December 23, 2018 Grace United Church “Journey with us, Lord, through this Advent season”

“Grace United Church strives to welcome, inspire, and support all in personal and spiritual growth as we walk with Jesus Christ on our faith journeys.”

We Gather to Praise God Music Prelude Noel Joyeux Young Welcome and Greeting

Let’s make a joyful noise unto the Lord! This is a great day to praise God through celebration, song and praise!

Call to Worship

Prepare the way for the Christ Child! Prepare the way for the Messiah! We lift our hearts in song and prayer. We open our hearts to God’s love incarnate.

Please be seated Advent Candle Lighting: Love

(the first three candles are lit) Today we kindle the Advent candle of Love.

(the fourth candle is lit) We welcome the warmth that lightens the winter chill, the warmth of passionate embrace, the warmth that comes from the heart of God.

Come, Holy Stranger, messenger of love on this Advent journey: welcome us as we welcome you.

We receive the light of love. All Sing VU 6 “A Candle is Burning” vs. 4 A candle is burning, a candle of love, a candle to point us to heaven above. A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth, for Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.

Words: Sandra Dean. OneLicense.net Organ Solo “Do You Hear What I Hear” Simon Ruby

Introduction to Carol Service Lighting of the First Candle: “Emmanuel” Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” vs.1 VU 1 (seated)

First Lesson: Isaiah 7:14 Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” VU 64 (Stand) Prayer

Emmanuel, God with us, fill our hearts with your love and peace that we may be bearers of your love and peace in a broken world. O come, O come, Emmanuel.

Choir Anthem The Music of Christmas J. Martin Lighting of the Second Candle: “Wisdom” Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” vs.2 VU 1 (Seated)

Second Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-2 The Peaceful Kingdom Hymn: “The First Nowell” VU 91 (Seated) Prayer

Wisdom from on high, grant us insight and knowledge as we seek to know you and discern our own gifts of service to this world. O come, O come, Wisdom from on high.

Lighting of the Third Candle: “God of Might” Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” v.3 VU 1 (seated) Third Lesson: Isaiah 9:6-7

Hymn: “’Twas in the moon of Wintertime” VU 71(seated)

Prayer O mighty Gitchi Manitou, you come to us as a child to reign with peace and justice. Mighty God, teach us the strength of humility and the power of empowering others. O come, O come, great God of Might.

Lighting of the Fourth Candle: “Root of Jesse”

Hymn: “O come, O come, Emmanuel” vs.4 VU 1 (seated)

Fourth Lesson: Isaiah 11:10 Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah Hymn: “While shepherds watched their flocks” VU 75 (Stand) Prayer

O Root of Jesse, remind us of our Hebrew roots, which we share with our Jewish sisters and brothers. We honour the various traditions that our ancestors in the faith have given us. O come, O come, O Root of Jesse.

Duet On Christmas Day in the morning Shirley and Gloria

Lighting of the Fifth Candle: “Key of David”

Hymn: “O come, O come, Emmanuel” vs.5 VU 1 (seated)

Fifth Lesson: Jeremiah 33:14-16 The Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City” VU 62 (seated)

Prayer O Key of David, you come from David’s lineage, yet welcome all who bring a great diversity of lineages to your heavenly banquet. Inspire us so to celebrate and respect the wondrous diversity of your creation.

O come, O come, O Key of David.

Lighting of the Sixth Candle: “Dayspring” Hymn: “O come, O come, Emmanuel” vs.6 VU 1 (Seated)

Sixth Lesson: Luke 1:76-79 Hymn: “Joy to the world” VU 59 (stand)

Prayer O Dayspring, who ushers in a new dawn, you give us hope and joy deep within. In this season of expectation we eagerly hope for a love that heals and for a peace that comforts. With joy in our hearts, we give you thanks. O come, O come, O Dayspring.

Anthem Hurray on Down to Bethlehem Besig

Lighting of the Seventh Candle: “Desire of the Nations”

Hymn: “O come, O come, Emmanuel” vs.7 VU 1 ( Seated)

Seventh Lesson: Haggai 2:6-7

Hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” VU 44 (seated)

Prayer O Desire of the Nations, you come to heal our warlike madness and rid the earth of division and fear. We long for peace and justice, that none may suffer for the privilege of others. O come, O come, O Desire of the Nations.

We Respond to God’s Word in Faith and Action

Offering Invitation

Offertory, Organ/Piano Duet A Christmas Meditation Nolte

Offertory Response In the Bleak Midwinter VU 55 vs. 4 What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.

Offertory Prayer

Prayers of the People* Lord’s Prayer After you hear the words God of mercy, please respond with “hear our prayer”.

Life and Work of the Congregation

Hymn: “What Child is This” VU 74 (Stand) Benediction

Let us prepare the way for the Christ Child as we open our hearts to God incarnate.

O come, O come, Emmanuel! Choir Benediction Gloria Postlude Christmas Joy Ritter

Service researched and written by Lorraine MacKenzie Shepherd, 2000, who writes: This service is one I have researched and revised according to ancient

Christian traditions that set Christmas carols within the Advent themes found in “O come, O come, Emmanuel” * Louise Mangan. Used with Permission.

Today’s service is being recorded and is available to view on our YouTube channel ‘Grace United Tavistock’. Permission to print/stream the music in this service

obtained from One License A-621399 and Christian Copyright License # 11316249

Life and Work of the Congregation

This Week

Sun. Dec. 23 10:30 am Lessons and Carols Worship Service Refreshments and social time following 3:00 - 9:00 pm Zion Hall and Kitchen booked for rental Mon. Dec. 24 - Fri. Dec. 28 Office Closed Mon. Dec. 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Wed. Dec. 26 1:00 - 7:00 pm Zion Hall and kitchen booked for rental Thurs. Dec. 27 8:30 - 2:30 pm Camp Bimini booked Knox Parlour Next Week

Sun. Dec. 30 10:30 am Worship service, message by Paul Bartlett Thurs. Jan. 3 7:45 pm Choir Practice Fri. Jan. 4 9:30 - 11:00 am Play ‘n Learn

Office Phone: 519-655-2151 Email: graceunitedchurch@rogers.com www.graceunitedtavistock.ca

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