12-13-2020 | The four aspects of joy

Dear Church Family and Friends,

May God richly bless you as experience this service and we thank the Rev. Dr. Randy Becker for today’s service.

Welcome
Prelude – In the Bleak Midwinter
Call to Worship and Opening Prayer
We live in anticipation
Waiting for the signs, the times, the day
We look ahead to when things will be better
Wondering if ancient promises will come true
We long for fulfillment
Hoping for an end to our troubles and woe
We are anxious that our dreams will not be fulfilled
Unsure we are sufficient to the struggles ahead
But then we remember
We recall the prophecies
We take to heart the scriptures
We tell again and again the story
We affirm once more the very faith of our faith:
That in the darkest hours
In the bleakest of time
When the distant hope seems to fade
A greater possibility summons us
To believe, to carry on
This is the advent of our true faith
When against all odds we know the truth lives
Love will prevail
And we will be redeemed.

UNISON PRAYER:  O God, not just of the Advent but also of the fulfillment, abide with us as we wait in anticipation for your divine gift of a Savior.  Instill in us a faith that can see beyond the present to a glorious future. Remind us that we are summoned by you to help create that promised land of possibility. Rather than sit idly by awaiting the coming light, may we be torches that will brighten the days of others. AMEN

Lighting the Advent Candles – Third Sunday in Advent –  The Joy Candle
Hymn – “People Look East”
Prayers for and of the People
Lord’s Prayer
 
Sermon – Four aspects of Joy:
Grateful –
Scripture  Psalm 118:24 
This is the day that the Lord has made;
                           let us rejoice and be glad in it.
                          
                           “Grateful” – a music video
                           Homily
              Faithful –         
Scripture  James 1:2-4
My brothers and sisters,[ whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;  and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
                           Video – “He Who Would Valiant Be”
                           Homily
              Hopeful –        
Scripture   Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
                           Music – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
                                         Homily
              Wonderful –
Reading – Christmas Beatitudes  The Rev. Dr. David Rhys Williams
                           Music – “It came upon the Midnight Clear”
                           Homily

Shared Song – “Let There Be Peace”
Benediction
Postlude – “Light One Candle”