Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
3rd Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Luke 1:57-66
Sermon: “We Remember to be Awed”
*Hymn: #116 (Songs of Spirit) People, Look East
*Hymn: #129 (Songs of Spirit) Of Eternal Love Begotten
*Hymn: #127 (Songs of Spirit) Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
Prelude: solo piano, Hal
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
One: Our God can part the sea.
Many: God can bring water from a rock, and provide bread in the desert.
One: Our God can walk on water.
Many: He can heal the sick, and turn water into wine.
One: Our God sets the stars in the sky.
Many: God hears our voice when we cry, and is closer than our own breath.
One: There is nothing our God cannot do.
Many: Let us stand in awe. Let us worship God with wonder.
Opening Prayer
*Gloria Patri #36
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.
Candle Lighting
One: How does a weary world practice joy?
Many: By dancing, and throwing birthday parties.
One: By hanging Christmas lights, and holding sleepy babies. By singing loudly, and
looking for good news.
Many: By telling the story of Jesus, and showing up for our community.
One: There are a million ways to practice joy. So today we light the candle of joy as a reminder and a charge.
Many: With God’s help, may we bring joy into a weary world. Amen.
*Hymn: #116 (Songs of Spirit) People, Look East
Scripture: Luke 1:57-66
Anthem: “A Star Will Soon Shine” by Nancy Price and Don Besig
(Mike Coffey and Janney Johnston, soloists)
Sermon: “We Remember to be Awed”
A Time of 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.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, today, we give believing that living lives of awe, wonder, and gratitude, will
forever draw us deeper into your loving arms. Your fingerprints are all over creation.
You are always speaking in a million different ways. Use these gifts to touch your
creation and to speak hope, peace, and joy to all your children. Amen.
*Hymn: #129 (Songs of Spirit) Of Eternal Love Begotten
Prayers of the People and 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 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
*Musical Benediction #334 (Songs of Spirit), Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name, verse 2:
Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way;
With thee began, with thee shall end the day;
Guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
that in this house have called upon thy name.
Postlude: solo organ, Hal