Worship December 24

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 24, 2023 Fourth Sunday of Advent

GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Mighty God, your faithfulness is magnified in the coming of your Son, in the long-awaited birth of the promised Messiah. May we, like Mary, proclaim your greatness as we rejoice in our Savior. Amen.

VOLUNTARY Your Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We

Introit You Are the Light

M. Cherwien

Tom Fettke

You are the Light we see. You are the Truth we know. You are the Life we live. You are the Hope, You are the Joy, You are the Song we sing.

† SALUTATION Elyse Rogers

One: This is God’s house. You are welcome as you are. Many: Let us worship our loving God.

† HYMN 107 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn REJOICE, REJOICE

† Those who are able are invited to stand Bold text is read or sung by all

† ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING The Kamps Family

One: How does a weary world rejoice?

Many: We acknowledge our weariness.

One: We find joy in connection.

Many: We allow ourselves to be amazed.

One: We sing songs of hope.

Many: Against all odds, we hope. With our whole hearts, we love.

One: Today we light the candle of love.

Many: With God’s help, may we bring love into a weary world.

† PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. Matt

Holy God, so often love feels like rainwater we try to capture in our hands: it slips right through. Forgive us for holding love so loosely. Forgive us for allowing the realities of today to define tomorrow. We know that the world needs people of love, so today we pray: turn us into those people. Teach us how to sing Mary’s song of hope for the world.

† KYRIE

†ASSURANCE OF PARDON

One: Hear the good news: We are loved. We are claimed. We are forgiven.

Many: Thanks be to God. Amen.

READING AND HEARING THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Amy Chick

FIRST LESSON Luke 1:67-80

One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.

New Testament Page 58

† HYMN 67 My Song Forever Shall Record PUER NOBIS NASCITUR

SECOND LESSON Romans 16:25-27

THIRD LESSON Luke 1:46-55

New Testament Page 165

New Testament Page 57

SERMON “We Sing Stories of Hope” Rev. Drumheller

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

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 PEACE

One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.

WELCOME (Please sign the Friendship Register)

THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD (Text 267-367-4910 to give)

ANTHEM Come Down, O Love Divine

William H. Harris

Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardour glowing; O Comforter draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing. O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn to dust and ashes in its heat consuming; and let thy glorious light shine ever on my sight, and clothe me round, the while my path illuming. Let holy charity mine outward vesture be, and lowliness become mine inner clothing: True lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part, and o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing. And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far outpass the power of human telling; for none can guess its grace, till he become the place wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling. Amen.

† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS OLD HUNDREDTH

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.

…with all creation, we join the unending hymn:

The prayer continues.

…Great is the mystery of faith:

INTERCESSION, 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.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

B

EARING AND F

OLLOWING

THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE W

ORLD

HYMN 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI

BENEDICTION

† CHORAL RESPONSE You Are the Light

Tom Fettke

Within our hearts, Your light. Within our minds, Your truth. Within our lives, Your love; living Your hope, spreading Your joy, singing Your beautiful song; singing Your beautiful song, Your song.

VOLUNTARY Tell Out My Soul

L EADING IN W ORSHIP TODAY

Rev. Matt Drumheller, Interim Pastor

Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship

Elyse Rogers, Liturgist

Amy Chick, Lector

Callie Garman, Acolyte

Chancel Choir

DatesforYourCalendar

Sunday,Dec24 – 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve

8:45 am- Sunday School

9:00 am- Café Conversations- Fellowship Hall

10:00 am- Worship- Rev. Matthew Drumheller Preaching 7:30 pm- Christmas Eve Service

Sunday,Dec 31– 1st Sunday of Christmas

8:45 am- Sunday School

9:00 am- Café Conversations- Fellowship Hall

10:00 am- Worship- Rev. Lucy Bowerman Preaching 11:30 am- Adult Forum

C OPYRIGHT N OTICE

Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net #A-71074. All rights reserved.

Liturgy reprinted and adapted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2013.

Liturgy reprinted and adapted by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.

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310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 238-9304 | www.pinestreet.org