Fourth Sunday of Advent

Welcome and Announcements Cambridge Chimes Welcome and Announcements Greeting Each Other Ringing of the Bell

“Trumpet Tune on a French Carol” ~Young Lighting of the candles Prelude “Trumpet Tune on a French Carol” ~Young Lighting of the candles

*CALL TO WORSHIP L: Bethlehem, your day of joy is near. God is about to do a great thing! P: As the people were filled with expectation, we too yearn for God’s coming.

L: The Virgin Mary is about to birth change into our world – delivering love for all. P: The Christ Child is near, and brings hope, peace, joy, and love to all who want it.

L: Mary’s child shall feed his people in God’s strength. P: O Great God of Heaven and Earth, help us to remember why you came, and to be ready to receive and celebrate Your

love offered in the gift of the Christ Child.

LIGHTING OF THE LOVE CANDLE L: The day is almost here, the day Love comes to greet us and change the world. P: Love is coming to walk among us and feed us in God’s strength.

L: He is the One bringing Hope. P: He is the One bringing Peace L: He is the One bringing Hope. P: He is the One bringing Peace. L: He is the One who comes with Joy. P: He is God; He is Love.

L: From now on, Love shall rule in action; P: Love shall rule in our hearts and in this land.

HYMN #12 “People, Look East” v.1 People, look east, the time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your home fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table.

People, look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.1 People, look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.

HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.2 Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.

People, look east and sing today: Love the rose is on the way. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.2 People, look east and sing today: Love the rose is on the way.

HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.3 Birds, though you long have ceased to build, Guard the nest that must be filled. Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.

People, look east and sing today: Love the bird is on the way. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.3 People, look east and sing today: Love the bird is on the way.

HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.4 Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together.

People, look east and sing today: Love the star is on the way. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.4 People, look east and sing today: Love the star is on the way.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) O God who is Love, even in the midst of this season of goodwill, there is much for us to confess. Instead of your wondrous love, we let stress and anxiety rule our lives.

We miss the reason for the season, focusing instead on Christmas parties, long to-do lists, and finishing shopping. We fail to spread your love in our world –

a world you came to so that the broken could be healed and the hungry filled. Help us adjust our Christmas priorities, O God, that we might join with you in preparing a world that

welcomes the One who brings us salvation welcomes the One who brings us salvation. (Silence is observed for individual reflection and prayer)

P: Thanks be to God for such overwhelming love and care. * ASSURANCE OF PARDON L: Yes, we get mixed up and stray from our God. But, our God is good and merciful and forgiving. Know this day that you are cleansed and made new. P: Thanks be to God for such overwhelming love and care.

CHOIR ANTHEM “Peaceful, Silent Night” ~Schram

Time With Young Christians

PROCLAIMING THE WORD SCRIPTURE READING: Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth;

then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 3:7-14

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor;” for I tell you, God is able from these

stones to raise up children to Abraham stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the foot of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’ And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them,

‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’

Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

L: This is the word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God!

“A Gentle Reminder” Rev. Tedd Pullano is a period of learning. The longer we wait, the more we learn about him for whom we are waiting. ~Henri Nouwen “A Gentle Reminder” Rev. Tedd Pullano

HYMN #15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” v.1 Rejoice! Rejoice, believers and let your lights appear, The evening is advancing and darker night is near.

HYMN #15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” v.1 The Bridegroom is arising and soon He will draw nigh; Up, watch with expectation, at midnight comes the cry.

HYMN #15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” v.2 See that your lamps are burning, replenish them with oil; Look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil.

HYMN #15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” v.2 The marriage feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand; Arise, O heirs of glory, the Bridegroom is at hand!

HYMN #15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” v.3 Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear; Arise, Thou sun so longed for, above this shadowed sphere!

HYMN #15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” v.3 With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see The day of earth’s redemption, and ever be with Thee!

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD Offertory Invitation Offertory “In Dulce Jubilo” ~J.S. Bach

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; *DOXOLOGY #542, v.4 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION We know you love us, God – and we try so hard to love our neighbors. Please use our hope-filled offerings to give birth to your love in our hearts, our community, and in our world.

May your kingdom come. Amen.

JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PASTORAL PRAYER

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

HYMN #28 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” v.1 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;

HYMN #28 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” v.1 Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

HYMN #28 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” v.2 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!

HYMN #28 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” v.2 He hath opened heaven’s door, and we are blest forevermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

HYMN #28 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” v.3 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all, to gain the everlasting hall. HYMN #28 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” v.3 Calls you one and calls you all, to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

BENEDICTION

Postlude “Hallelujah Chorus” ~Handel