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United |
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775-5362 ·
Fax 775-6475 |
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December 16, 2007 |
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Third Sunday of Advent |
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Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m. |
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WE GATHER IN JOY |
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PRELUDE |
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BRINGING IN THE LIGHT
OF CHRIST |
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WELCOME AND PARISH
NOTES |
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*GATHERING WORDS |
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One: In the midst of shortening days, Beneath
the snowy winter skies |
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All: WE GATHER! |
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One: Gathered
to worship, Gathered to remember the seeds of joy planted deep within us, at
the beginning of time In the midst fresh evergreens, Beneath the angel's
wings |
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All: WE GATHER! |
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One: Gathered
to worship, Gathered to remember the songs of joy sung by ancient storytellers
given to us, since the beginning of time. |
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All: WE GATHER IN JOY TO WORSHIP! |
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*HYMN OF PRAISE #209 |
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“Blessed Be the God
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*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST |
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WE PRAY IN JOY |
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Lighting of the
Advent Wreath The
Candle of Joy |
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Jeff, Laura, Drew,
Lucas and Ben Marion |
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Candlelighting Response Tune:
Away in a Manger |
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A candle is burning,
a candle of joy. |
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A candle to welcome
brave Mary's new boy. |
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Our hearts fill with
wonder and eyes light and glow |
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as joy brightens winter
like sunshine on snow. |
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If you have a prayer
joy or concern you would like shared during the Prayer of the People, please hand it to an
usher during the Parish Hymn. |
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PRAYER HYMN #211 |
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“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
vs. 1, 2, 4 & 6 |
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UNISON PRAYER OF
CONFESSION AND WORDS OF PROMISE |
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Let some joy loose, O
God. Let it rise to the surface and
shake us out of preoccupation with lists and tasks. Forgive us our heavy-hearted approach to your
season of joy and light. Do not let
our long lists, calendar of events and the discord of this world overwhelm
the wonder of Christ’s birth. |
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Let some joy
loose. |
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Let us see the smiles
of the children. |
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Let us know the joy of
giving to those in need. |
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Let us feel the
embrace of your love in the carols sung and birth stories retold. |
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Let some joy loose, O
God, some sparkling light into our world of darkness and strife. |
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Let us be people of
joy. Amen. |
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PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE |
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THE LORD’S
PRAYER #895 |
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WE LISTEN IN JOY |
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CHORAL ANTHEM Chancel
Choir |
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“Carol for Advent” Arr. Besig/Price |
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SCRIPTURE |
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Luke 2:1-14 from The
Message |
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A TIME OF PREPARATION |
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MESSAGE Children of our |
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“The Last Noel” |
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by Ruth Elaine Schram and Scott Schram |
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WE RESPOND IN JOY |
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OFFERTORY INVITATION |
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OFFERING OF OURSELVES
AND OUR GIFTS |
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OFFERTORY |
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*DOXOLOGY Tune: Old 100th |
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Hope in the God who
reigns above, |
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who holds us all in
steadfast love; |
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whose Spirit blows
across the earth |
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preparing us for second
birth. Amen. |
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* PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (in unison) |
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Gracious and loving God,
we give you thanks with grateful hearts for lives transformed through your
love revealed in the one whose birth we await once more - Jesus Christ. We offer these gifts and the service of our
lives, praying that they may be used to transform the lives of those in
need. Amen. |
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WE SCATTER TO SHARE
JOY IN THIS WORLD |
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*CLOSING HYMN #218 |
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“It Came Upon a
Midnight Clear” |
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*BENEDICTION AND BLESSING |
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*POSTLUDE |
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*All who
are able, please stand. |