WELCOME TO WORSHIP
CANTICLE Brightest and Best — Shawn Kirchner Hail the bless’d morn, see the great Mediator down from the regions of glory descend! Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger, lo, for his guard the bright angels attend. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid. Star in the East, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining, low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall. Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker and Savior of all. Shall we not yield him, in costly devotion, odors of Edom and off’rings divine, gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 21, 2025 • 11:00AM
SCRIPTURE — Luke 2:8-20
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS Welcome to worship at Centenary! We are a church for everyone. As you prepare for worship, we invite you to greet your neighbor and share the love of Christ. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Prepare the Way: The Shepherd’s Surprise”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
Please stand as you are able
OFFERTORY It Came Upon the Midnight Clear — arr. Cathy Moklebust
PRELUDE
INTROIT
DOXOLOGY #221 In the Bleak Midwinter — CRANHAM What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
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GREETING 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.
CALL TO WORSHIP Glory to God in the highest! And hope to every discouraged heart. Glory to God in the highest! And peace to every conflicted soul. Glory to God in the highest! And joy to every downcast spirit. Glory to God in the highest! And love to all people. Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. We come to worship in the light of His glory!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #238 Angels We Have Heard on High — GLORIA
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH ADVENT RESPONSE While We are Waiting — WAITING (The congragation is invited to sing the second time.) While we are waiting, come. While we are waiting, come. Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel. While we are waiting, come. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.)
HYMN
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#245 The First Noel — THE FIRST NOEL
SERMON NOTES
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BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE Hallelujah (from Messiah) — George Frideric Handel Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! The kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever! Hallelujah! King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, forever and ever! Hallelujah!
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POSTLUDE
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister LITURGIST Reverend Kate May Director of Youth Ministries Reverend Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congregational Care
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
Tammy Pollock Director of Youth Ministries ADVENT WREATH Children’s Ministry
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music & Arts Joshua Sobel, Organist The Chancel Choir Jonathan Blake Borton, piano Tom Lather, banjo Anne Morgan, bell tree Camille Jones, piano Emilia Sharpe, violin Corine Brouwer, violin Fabrice Dharamraj, viola Alex Johnston, cello Ken Wilmot, trumpet Steve Sutton, trumpet
CRUCIFER Libby Holden TORCHBEARERS Mary Blythe Maner Myers Jackson 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.