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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 89)

L: I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
P: We declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
L: God's hand shall always remain with you; he shall strengthen you.
P: His faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with us; and in God's name our horn shall be exalted.
ALL:  You are our Father, our God, and the Rock of our salvation!'

Prayer based on all Lections
by Rev. F. Schaefer

God of Grace and Surprise, today we embrace the announcement of the incarnation of your only begotten Son. We stand in awe and wonder of your plan of salvation which confounds the wisdom of this world. Thank you for fulfilling your promise given by the prophets of old--the sign of reconciliation in and through Jesus, our Lord. 

Help us to recognize the incarnation of your grace especially with those who suffer, those who are impoverished and victimized.  Enable us to stand in solidarity with the least of our brothers and sisters in Christ, so that the world will see in us the good news of Emmanuel, God-with-us, in whose very name we pray. Amen.

 

Canticle of Mary

My soul proclaims your greatness, O my God,
and my spirit has rejoiced in your my Saviour;
For you have regarded me as your holy handmaid;
henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
For you who are mighty, have done great things for me,
and Holy is your Name;
Your mercy is on those who fear you throughout all generations.
You have showed strength with your arm.
You have scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
You have put down the mighty from their seat,
and have lifted up the powerless.
You have filled the hungry with good things,
and have sent the rich away empty.
Remembering your mercy,
You have helped your people Israel -
As you promised Abraham and Sarah.
Mercy to their children forever.

 

Lighting The Fourth Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (repeated each week or not, as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7

Responsive Reading for 4th Advent

L: We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace
P: May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy.
L: May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts and minds
P: We eagerly await the arrival of the King of Glory.

Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel

Advent Reading

Fourth Week: REJOICE . . . When is the time to rejoice? When the angels laugh and the mountains sing and the earth yields its fruit and the world is cherished and the sinner forgiven and the doubter brought home and the poor one is raised and the proud one is humbled and our cold hearts are melted and the baby is born and the King is recognized and the Savior is lullabied and Jesus . . the Lord . . comes to us: Then, then is the time to rejoice. (Fourth Verse) Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way

A Closing Christmas Prayer
by Laurence Hull Stookey

Eternal God,
by the birth of Jesus Christ you gave yourself to the world.
Grant that , being born in our hearts,
he may save us from all our sins,
and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator,
to whom be everlasting praise and glory,
world without end.  Amen.