Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
December 21, 2025
“Fourth Sunday of Advent”
10:00am
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 41:5-10
SERMON: “God with Us” by Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters
*HYMN 144 (Songs of Spirit) O Come, Little Children
*HYMN (Insert) Let the Fires of Justice Grow
*HYMN 127 (Songs of Spirit) Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
PRELUDE: Solo Piano by Hal Parker
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Here in worship—
Many: we pray together,
One: we stand together,
Many: we sing together,
One: we listen together.
Many: Here in worship—we are not alone.
One: So when life gives you reason to grieve, to fear, or to worry, remember this moment.
Many: We are not alone. Let us worship our with-us God.
OPENING PRAYER
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE: LOVE
One: In a world full of fear, where do you see the presence of love?
Many: We see love all around us. We see love when people hold open the door. We see love in a warm embrace, a homemade casserole, a phone call after a long day. We see love in random acts of kindness and intentional acts of empathy. We see love all around us.
One: You are right. Even in a fearful world, love is all around us. Today we light the candle of love as a reminder of this good news. May this flicker of light help us remember that even in a fearful world, love is here. Love is world-changing. Love is shining bright. We only have to look for it.
<Light candle.>
Many: Thanks be to God for a love like that! Amen.
*HYMN 144 (Songs of Spirit) O Come, Little Children
CHILDREN’S TIME with Ed Sunday-Winters
Children may go upstairs to the classroom after Children’s Time.
Parents are welcome to accompany them or remain in the sanctuary.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 41:5-10 Eleanor Guare
ANTHEM: “Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear” 15th century German carol
SERMON: God with Us Ed Sunday-Winters
SILENCE
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy God, with our giving, we are proclaiming: unto us, love is born. Amen.
*HYMN (Insert) Let the Fires of Justice Grow
JOYS & CONCERNS
MORNING PRAYER & THE LORDS PRAYER
Our God, 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.
*HYMN 127 (Songs of Spirit) Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
*BENEDICTION
SONG OF SENDING 349 (Songs of Spirit)
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you al-ways.
Cel-e-brate and share the joy! Cel-e-brate new life!
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
POSTLUDE: Solo Organ