WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
(Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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COMISSIONING OF STEPHEN MINISTERS BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE People Look East — BESANÇON People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
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WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 15, 2024 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The prelude signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
CANTICLE Sussex Carol — Barlow Bradford On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring. News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our Merciful King’s birth. Then why should men on earth be sad since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he sets us free, all for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place. Angels and men wth joy may sing all for to see the new-born King. All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night. All Glory to God and peace to men now and forevermore, Amen.
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake, BWV 645) — J.S. Bach
GREETING INTROIT
Prepare the Way — BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN Prepare the Way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near! Let every hill and valley a level way appear. Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story. O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
SERMON — “Joy Made Possible”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Hark! The Herald Angels Sing — Dan Forrest Hark! the herald-angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is borh in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald-angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
OPENING PRAYER Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgni’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Diety, 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!”
HYMN OF PROCESSION #238 Angels We Have Heard on High — GLORIA
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AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Come, Renew Your Love for Him — GLORIA Come, renew your love for Him: Jesus Christ, who sets us free! Cast off fear and doubt and shame; live in grace eternally! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON NOTES
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
POSTLUDE Improvisation on ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’
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SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 35:1-10
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE
#245 The First Noel — THE FIRST NOEL
DOXOLOGY #95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD 100th Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image. When our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. All that we are, and all that we have, is a trust from you. And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer you ourselves, and all that we have, in union with Christ’s offering for us. By your Holy Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III, Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister
CRUCIFER Thomas Doud TORCHBEARERS Leighton Doud Henry Clegg
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Sam Howell, Music Ministry Intern Jonathan Blake Borton, Piano Karen Beres, Piano
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.