12-20-2020 | What a different year

Dear Church Family and Friends

I know you will enjoy and be inspired by Dr. Randy Becker’s sermon called, What A Different Year. A different year it has been. May God bless you as you hear the service and participate:

Order of Service:

Welcome

Prelude – “Mary’s Boy Child” Charlotte Church

Call to Worship and Opening Prayer
Once again, the story is told
        The hallowed tale is recalled
    Told not so much to convince us
        But to remind us
    Of a great promise made long ago
        And fulfilled in glory
    Of human possibility and divine love
        Made one and brought among us
    That we might be reminded
        Of how it was that night long ago
    When angels sang on high
        But it was shepherds who heard their song
    When a special star shone in the heavens
        But it was foreigners who saw it and followed
    When a human birth held the promise of eternal rebirth
        But the child was held by two ordinary parents who marveled at his birth
    When all of human history pivoted
        But only for those who remember the story and recall its meaning and live out its promise

UNISON:
O Gracious and loving God, we celebrate with you the birth of the Christ Child, your fulfillment of ancient prophecy with its promise of redemption and eternal love. May we not just hear the story but embody its message.  May we not be beguiled by the worldly temptations while the divine offering is at hand.  May we not forget in all the busyness of the season the essence of the holy story:  that love is eternal and we each and we all may participate in that love by thy Grace.  AMEN
       
Lighting the Advent Candles – Fourth Sunday in Advent – The Peace Candle

Carol – “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” – King’s College, Cambridge

Prayers for and of the People

Lord’s Prayer

Scripture – Luke 2

Anthem – “O, Holy Night”  Emer Barry

Sermon – What a Different Year!

Carol – “Joy to the World” Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Benediction

Postlude – “Hallelujah Chorus” Handel and Haydn Society