Advent 4, December 19, 8&10AM. Worship and Cantata

Let’s celebrate God’s promise fulfilled on Christmas. The promises give us hope, peace, joy, and love.
Come and worship – in-person or online at https://www.facebook.com/LodiUMC

Order of Worship
December 19, 2021. 8AM

PRELUDE   Rhea Lind & Mitch Richards

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Joan Gehrke & Kira Ludlum

* SONGS OF ADVENT   Love Came Down at Christmas (United Methodist Hymn #242)
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine
worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine
love to God and all men, love for plea and gift and sign.

* OPENING PRAYER
Eternal God of love and grace, who comes to us in surprising ways–
in angel appearances, in the fragile body of a baby, and in resurrection from the dead–
Show us the face of Emmanuel in our time. Bring us from fear to awe, Help us give and receive love,
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

* SONGS OF ADVENT   Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (United Methodist Hymn #203, st.1,3,4)
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth
love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him, on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever that name to us is love.

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Let us offer one another signs of Christ’s peace: The peace of Christ be with you, always. And also with you.

SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS Please share your prayer requests and joys. Type them in the comment section.

PASTORAL PRAYER

* TIME OF DEDICATION  Thank you for sharing your gifts with God’s world through your church.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

* PRAYER FOR OUR OFFERINGS
Holy God, you bless us with many gifts, you retrieve us from despair and fear, you visit us with surprising proclamations, and you intend for us good things.
We thank you for your steadfast love, for sending signs of assurance, and for the gift of faith.
Use our gifts to bring comfort and justice to those in need,
reforming the ways of our world for the sake of new life. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS Luke 1:8-15a, Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 1:26-31a, Luke 2:8-11

MESSAGE The Promise 4 – Christmas Message from Angels

SONG OF FAITH  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (United Methodist Hymn #240)
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies
with th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored. Christ, the everlasting Lord
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”

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 new born King!”

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

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WELCOME

ADVENT CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Glory to God in the highest! All: And hope to every discouraged heart.
One: Glory to God in the highest! All: And peace to every conflicted soul.
One: Glory to God in the highest! All: And joy to every downcast spirit.
One: Glory to God in the highest! All: And love to everyone.

YOUTH CHOIR
Go Tell It On the Mountain.
Drummer Boy.

SKIT – The Diaries of Joseph and Mary’s Father, Theodore

CHILDREN CHOIR
Where Are You Christmas.
Jingle Bells.

PRAYER

ADULT CHOIR CANTATA
“One Small Child”

Thank you, the members of the three choirs and our directors, Rhea Lind and Catie Brooks