4th Sunday of Advent - Love 

Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link:  https://fb.me/e/8BOz6B2lG?mibextid=RQdjqZ, hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person. 

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Gathering Music Polly Dunford, Laurie Gentry

Welcome and Announcements Shea Marsden                               Fourth Sunday of Advent  -  The Candle of Love      Cynthia Warner, Joanne Batten              

Voice 1: “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Voice 2: What does love feel like in the new world?

Voice 1: Love feels like knowing I am a sacred piece of a magnificent whole.

Many Voices: Love feels like acceptance and gratitude. Love feels like being cherished.

Voice 2: Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where you, and me, and all of God’s creation are treasured and beloved

Voice 1: May it be so.

Voice 2: (Fourth Advent candle is lit.)  Amen.

Many Voices: Amen

Advent Song “When God is a Child”   (verses 1-4)   Handout

        Words by Brian Wren; Music by Joan Collier Fogg

Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song.  The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that Jesus is born.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song.  The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Love is a flame that burns in our heart, Jesus has come and will never depart.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song.  The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Scripture Reading for the 4th Sunday of Advent Luke 1:47-55

Hymn/Offertory  “Now the Heavens Start to Whisper”    Hymnal #94

        Words by Mary Louise Bringle; Music by Alexander Johnson

1)  Now the heavens start to whisper, as the veil is growing thin.

Earth from slumber wakes to listen to the stirring, faint within:

seed of promise, deeply planted, child to spring from Jesse’s stem!

Like the soil beneath the frostline, hearts grow soft to welcome him.

2)  Heavy clouds that block the moonlight now begin to drift away.

Diamond brilliance through the darkness shines the hope of coming day.

Christ, the morning star of splendor, gleams within a world grown dim.

Heaven’s ember fans to fullness; hearts grow warm to welcome him.

3)  Christ, eternal Sun of justice, Christ, the rose of wisdom’s seed,

come to bless with fire and fragrance hours of yearning, hurt, and need.

In the lonely, in the stranger, in the outcast, hid from view:

child who comes to grace the manger, teach our hearts to welcome you.

2022 Christmas Pageant      Directors: Drew Whitley, Rosie Thompson, Thor Raines

“Walking to Bethlehem”  (verse 1) Handout Words and Music by Jim Strathdee

1) Dark on a lonely road two bent figures walking,

Old man leading a young mother to be.

Hush, in the stillness, now you can hear them talking,

“O, how much further ’til city lights we’ll see?”

And they’re walking, walking, yes they’re walking to Bethlehem.

“Away in a Manger”  (verses 1-3) Hymnal # 115

1) Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2)  The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,

but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,

and stay be my side until morning is nigh.

3)  Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

“The First Nowell”  (verses 1-2) Hymnal #147

Words and Music from an English carol

1) The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,

in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

2) They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far;

and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”  (verses 1 & 3) Hymnal #119

Words by Charles Wesley;

Music by Felix Mendelssohn

1)  Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies,

with the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”

3)  Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!  Hail the sun of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”

“The First Nowell”  (verses 3 & 5) Hymnal #147

Words and Music from an English carol

3)  And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

5)  Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee,

and offered there in his presence their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

“Walking to Bethlehem”  (verses 2-5) Handout

Words and Music by Jim Strathdee

2)  Chill is the early dawn, see the Star arisin’

Come Bright Vision light our dreary morn.

Stand on the mountain top, see the vast horizon

Calling us to the place where our hope is born.

And we’re walking, walking, yes we’re walking to Bethlehem.

3)  Mile after weary mile, thirst and dusty swelter,

Homeless pilgrims journey in the sun.

Take them into your heart, give them rest and shelter,

Share the dream, know the joy: love is now begun.

And we’re walking, walking, yes we’re walking to Bethlehem.

4)  Step after faithful step builds a life of courage,

Bravely following we travel paths unknown.

Come Holy Presence, lead us and encourage,

With your love guiding us we are not alone.

And we’re walking, walking, yes we’re walking to Bethlehem.

5)  Come all you citizens, ev’ry land and nation

Walk together, may your conflict cease.

Let justice dance and sing joy to all creation,

All the earth eagerly ‘waits the birth of peace.

And we’re walking, walking, yes we’re walking to Bethlehem.

               

Shalom       (“May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)

                          Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.

                            Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.

**************************************************************************************************Calendar of Service  

December 24 - Christmas Eve service at 7:00 PM led by Keith Ray

December 25 at 10:15 AM - Keith Ray; No bulletin will be made for this service.

January 1, 2023 - Keith Ray

January 8 - Keith Ray;

Communion;

Congregational Meeting to present and

vote for new Elders and present 2023 Budget

       Epiphany Stars

       1st Sunday Potluck meal

       Session meeting following worship service

January 15 - Lucy Youngblood; Installation of new Elders

January 22 - Keith Ray

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Winter Solstice Walk will be in the labyrinth on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5:00 PM.

The Longest Night ... for those who are warm or cold, well-fed or hungry.  Consider bringing a can of food for the AIM cupboard.

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Remember in prayer: The Marsden family; Tawny Booth (friend of Vicki Conrad-Wright); Sharon Fowler; Jason Harding; Friends and Family of Doug Vaughan; Bruce Kalley and family; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; Families of Victims of mass shootings in Colorado Springs, CO, and Chesapeake, VA.