Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
4th Sunday of Advent
December 24, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 & Luke 1:67-80
Sermon: “We Sing Hope”
*Hymn: #122 (Songs of Spirit) Now Bless the God of Israel
*Hymn: #120 (Songs of Spirit) Tomorrow Christ Is Coming
*Hymn: #125 (Songs of Spirit) Young Mary Was to Be My Wife
Prelude: solo piano, Hal
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
One: How does a weary world rejoice?
Many: We sing songs of hope.
We allow hope to change us, to strengthen us.
We tell the stories of what could be.
We listen for God’s word.
We resist the temptation to give up or give in.
We remember Mary’s song.
We gather for worship.
We hope.
We hope.
Against all odds, we hope.
One: Friends, this is the day that the Lord is still making. Let us worship holy God.
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 love?
Many: By sending cards, and picking up the phone.
One: By practicing empathy, and assuming the best in others. By learning people’s stories and finding common ground.
Many: By advocating for justice, and saving a place at the table.
One: There are a million ways to practice love. So today we light the candle of love as a reminder and a charge.
Many: With God’s help, may we bring love into a weary world. Amen.
*Hymn: #122 (Songs of Spirit) Now Bless the God of Israel
Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 & Luke 1:67-80 Hal Gray
Anthem: “Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear” 15th Century German carol,
Hal, voice and piano
Sermon: “We Sing Hope”
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, we give believing that love can change the world. We give believing that God uses ordinary people, like an unwed teenage mother, for extraordinary good. Therefore, we pray that our gifts today, humble as they are, would be an expression of love to our neighbors near and far. Amen.
*Hymn: #120 (Songs of Spirit) Tomorrow Christ Is Coming
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: #125 (Songs of Spirit) Young Mary Was to Be My Wife
*Benediction
*Musical Benediction #334 (Songs of Spirit), Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name, verse
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