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Third Sunday of Advent
12/14/2025 - 10:30 pm
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINUTE FOR MISSION “Christmas Joy Offering” George Anich
CENTERING MUSIC “Away In The Manger” Traditional
MOMENT OF HOPE
PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE
O Holy God, our very waiting in Advent is itself a confession; If we are waiting for Emmanuel, we are not yet with you; if we are waiting for Jesus, we need a Savior; if we are waiting for a Messiah, the proud are still powerful, the mighty are still exalted, the hungry stand unheard at the door; if we are waiting for your incarnation in human form, we confess that we have not known you in our sister, we have not loved you in our brother, we have not served you in our neighbor. In this time of great meaning, in the stillness of Advent love and light, hear our deepest confession; heal us and make us new through the good tidings of your presence in our lives. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
SONG OF RENEWAL #82 vs. 1 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE
One: Rejoice in the hope and exercise of waiting. For in our waiting we learn patience, we learn to see, we learn to experience you. God loves you beyond your imaginings!
All: Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And with you also.
Leader: Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)
ANTHEM Still, Still, Still” arr. by Gilbert Martin
BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY
Sing: Like a child love would send to reveal and to mend,
Like a child and a friend, Jesus comes.
Like a child we may find claiming heart, soul, and mind,
Like a child strong and kind, Jesus comes.
Today’s Story “Advent 2 & 3”
Kathleen Krentz & Cyndi Sneeringer
Leader: And as we continue our worship…
Congregation: May God be with you there.
Children: May God be with you here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: God in your Grace,
People: Hear our prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS Isaiah 55:1-13 John 4:13-14
RESPONSE
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively
Pastor: May the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
All: Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
Our rock and our redeemer. Amen.
SERMON “Come, If You Thirst” Pastor Barbara Barkley
MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION
*HYMN OF RESPONSE - #100 My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout vs. 1,2,4
My soul cries out with a joyful shout
That the God of my heart is great
And my spirit sings of the Wondrous things
That you bring to the ones who wait
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight
And my weakness you did not spurn
So from east to west shall my name be blest
Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!
Though I am small, my God, my all,
You work great things in me
And your mercy will last from the Depths of the past
to the end of the age to be
Your very name puts the proud to shame
And to those who would for you yearn
You will show your might, put the strong to flight
For the world is about to turn
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears
For the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!
Though the nations rage from age to age
We remember who holds us fast
God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound
'Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God
Who is turning the world around
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!
MOMENT OF THANKS
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY “I Wonder As I Wander” John Jacob Niles
*ADVENT DOXOLOGY Tune: Infant Holy
Glory be to God, Creator; glory be to Christ the Son;
Glory be to Holy Spirit, glory to the Three-in-One.
Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart,
As we glory in your Presence, giving from a grateful heart.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: Bountiful God, we rejoice in your goodness! You have done wonderful things for your people through the ages. We are grateful for your precious gift of being forgiven through Jesus Christ. You brought us out of sadness and into joy, as you tenderly wiped away our tears and gave us laughter. Let our gratitude overflow in love and kindness for people who are near and far away. Use our gifts and offerings to bring hope and happiness to our neighbors through the mission of this church. We ask this through Christ our Lord. (Psalm 126)
All: Amen
*CLOSING HYMN The King of Glory Comes (2091 in STF)
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before him, lift up your voices.
Who is the King of glory; how shall we call him?
He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages.
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before him, lift up your voices.
In all of Galilee, in city or village,
He goes among his people curing their illness.
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before him, lift up your voices.
Sing then of David’s son, our Savior and brother;
In all of Galilee was never another.
POSTLUDE
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION