Pine Street Presbyterian Church
in the City of Harrisburg
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
December 21, 2025
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Eternal God, you set Jesus Christ to rule over all things and made us servants in your kingdom. By your Spirit empower us to love the unloved, and to minister to all in need. Then at the last bring us to your eternal realm where we may worship and adore you and be welcomed into your everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
G ATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
RINGING OF THE CARILLON
SALUTATION
One: Look! The young woman is with child; Many: she will call him Emmanuel, for God is with us.
VOLUNTARY Meditation on “Es ist ein Ros” Howard Helvey
(Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
† CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Hear the words of promise from the prophet Nathan, spoken to David: Many: "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
One: And hear Mary’s song of mercy:
Many: "His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembering to be merciful.”
† Those able are invited to stand.
Bold text is read or sung by all
HYMN 100 My Soul Crys Out with a Joyful Shout
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
One: We light the first candle of Hope.
Many: Where fear narrows our vision, let this light widen our sight.
One: We light the candle of Peace:
Many: Peace that lives within us that is the promise of a liberation birthing, truth-telling God in flesh.
One: We light the candle of Joy.
Many: We will bring the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
One: We light the candle of Love.
Many: In a world longing for compassion, the light of God’s love and mercy shines.
One: With Mary we rejoice in the God who remembers.
Many: God's mercy flows through all generations, unbroken and sure.
† CANTICLE OF HOPE Come, Come Emmanuel COME, COME EMMANUEL
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Shepherd of our souls, we anticipate your coming, but do not feel ready. We have done too much, and not done enough. We focus too much on ourselves, and not enough on others. Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we might be saved.
† SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
† KYRIE
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: Emmanuel does not come into this world to condemn, but to save. God does not come to imprison us, but to set us free. Through this abundant love, we are forgiven.
Many: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
† GLORIA
READING AND HEARING THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 7:10-16
One: The Word of the Lord.
Many: Thanks be to God.
Old Testament Page 636
† HYMN 355 O Hear Our Cry, O Lord (PSALM 80) VINEYARD
SECOND LESSON Romans 1:1-7
THIRD LESSON Matthew 1:18-25
SERMON “Plan C”
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
New Testament Page 152
New Testament Page 1
The Rev. Seelman
The Apostle’s 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 at 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 PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.
WELCOME AND PARISH LIFE (Please sign the Friendship Register)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
HAVEN
ANTHEM O Come, Divine Messiah! Howard Helvey O come, divine Messiah! The world in silence waits the day when hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. Dear Savior haste; come, come to earth, dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace. O come, divine Messiah! The world in silence waits the day when hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. You come in peace and meekness, and lowly will your cradle be; All clothed in human weakness Shall we your God-head see. Dear Savior haste; come, come to earth, dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace. O come, divine Messiah! The world in silence waits the day when hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. O Christ, whom nations sigh for, whom priest and prophet long foretold, come break the captive fetters; redeem the long-lost fold.
† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SEALINGTHE WORD
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you. Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
… of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
The prayer continues.
… as we share this joyful feast:
I
NTERCESSION
, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION
One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.
… now and forever.
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.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP
One: The gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the feast.
ANTHEM A Carol for Advent
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE WORLD
† HYMN 138 Who Would Think That What Was Needed WHITE ROSETTES
† BENEDICTION
† CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in’ be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
VOLUNTARY Choral Prelude on “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland“ Howard Helvey “Savior of the Nations Come”
Mary E. Caldwell
L EADING IN W ORSHIP T ODAY
The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor
Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship
Elyse Rogers, Lector
Sunday,December21
9:00 am- Café Conversations
9:00 am- Faith Formation
Isaiah Shu, Liturgist
The Chancel Choir
Benjamin Krumreig, tenor
DATESFOR YOUR CALENDAR
Wednesday,December24
6:15 pm- Chancel Choir Warm-up
7:30 pm – Christmas Eve Service
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
11:30 am- Deacon Meeting
C OPYRIGHT N OTICE
Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net # A-743343. All rights reserved. Liturgy was reprinted and adapted with permission from Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion copyright 2013, and from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.
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