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Fourth Sunday of Advent--December 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 20, 2020

(UberConference call 234-204-0311)

[Please be in a spirit of worship while you are on the phone call.  Your phone microphone is very sensitive; what seems quiet in the sanctuary sounds more like a like a thunderstorm or police siren on the phone.  Your phone or computer microphone can pick up a whisper or paper shuffling from five feet away.]

Prelude  

Announcements    

Lighting of Fourth Advent Candle: The Angels’ Candle

Prayer

Call to Worship

One: Welcome, dear people, God has blessed our gathering.
All: We come again on this journey, following the light.
One: God’s light shines for us today, bringing peace and comfort.
All: May we, like Mary, respond to God’s presence and love, with confident joy.

Opening Prayer

Lord’s Prayer  

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

Hymn                         Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession (unison)

God of mystery and mercy, you came to be with us and offer us new life in Christ, and yet we often stray from your side. You came to offer us love, but we confess that we can be stubborn and selfish in the ways we live. You came to reconcile all people, but we confess that we often resist repairing relationships and so remain divided. Forgive who we have been, change who we are, and direct who we shall be.

Assurance of Pardon

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen, Amen.

Passing the Peace of Christ 

ONE: Since Christ has extended to us the peace of God, let us, as his disciples, spread his peace to others. The peace of Christ be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
ONE: We are now going to check to see who is with us this morning as our way of sharing Christ’s peace. 

Prayer for Illumination

Psalm 103:8-14

Special Music                                     The Gift of Love       

Hebrew Scripture 2 Samuel 11:1-5; 12:14-23, 26-27

Message                                             God’s Unfailing Love

Hymn of Response                           Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Affirmation of Faith                         Apostles’ Creed

 I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand Of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.  Amen.

Prayers of the People 

Musical Response

Stewardship Moment 

Prayer of Thanksgiving for our Blessings

Doxology

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. Amen

Closing Hymn                        He Came Down        

Benediction