December 21, 2025
Prelude: Christmas Flutes
arr. Vance
Colleen McElroy, Julia Pyke
Welcome
Lighting the Advent Candles
Jeff Johnson and Selina Gilchrist
We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Advent means coming. We are preparing ourselves for the days when nations shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the rose it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
The Lord shall give you a sign.
Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son,
and shall name him Immanuel (God is with us).
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
[Isaiah 2:4, 11:6, 35:1, 7:14b]
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Hymn 309)
Prudentius/Plainsong, Mode V
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he,
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heaven adore him; angel hosts, his praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore!
Christ, to thee with God the Father, and O Holy Ghost, to thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!
Confession
God who meets us where we are, you reveal your love in Jesus, in scripture, and in our relationships. You guide those who want to do right but wrestle with difficult circumstances. As Joseph chose to protect Mary when she became pregnant, help us care for the vulnerable. Forgive us when we are afraid to do the right thing. Forgive us when we play it safe rather than risking and welcoming love. Help us experience your love in new ways this Christmas. Amen.
Silence
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Hymn 9)
Latin, 12th century/adapt. Helmore
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Advent Doxology
(from Angels, from the Realms of Glory)
Salisbury Hymn Book/Smart
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son
Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10–16
New Testament: Matthew 1:18-25
Solo: Love has Come
Ken Bible/French melody
Lisa Phillips
Love has come: a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; Hear how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high.
Love is born! Come, share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of his mother; What is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers. Love! Love! Jesus, Emmanuel.
Love has come and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas. Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!
Sermon: Not for Us, but With Us
Scott Starbuck
Focus: It was God-With-Us. Not the God-Up-There somewhere who answers our prayers by lifting us out of our lives, but the God who comes to us in the midst of them—however far from home we are, however less than ideal our circumstances, however much or little our lives reflect the Christmas cards we send. –Barbara Brown Taylor
Response: What Child Is This?
English Carol, arr. Vance
Pastoral Prayer & The 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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Gary Guenther
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!
-Luke 2:14b
Sending: In Bethlehem a Babe Was Born (Hymn 34)
Mays
In Bethlehem a babe was born with love enough for all.
While kingdoms slept, the Lord came down to grace a manger stall.
And with a glorious light angels appeared that night,
Refrain:
Singing, “Come, come, Christ is born! Come, come, world forlorn.
The Child of peace and sacrifice is waiting to be found.”
Royalty and shepherds came to worship from afar,
Guided through the long cold night by one persistent star.
As each beheld the Son, strangers became as one, (refrain)
The mystery of Bethlehem was long ago they say,
But, miracle of miracles, the baby lives today
In each new heart that hears Love coming through the years, (refrain)
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Ding Dong, Merrily on High
French Carol, arr. Vance
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