Have You Seen a Great Light?

December 24, 2023
Pastor Jacob Lee
Worship

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Service of Worship

Away in a Manger
Arr. Steven Scott
© 2000 Lorenz Publishing Company
Used with Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420

Family 1: When the angel Gabriel visited Mary, announcing God’s plan for her to conceive and give birth to the Messiah, “Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34) And yet, only a few months later, Mary sings to Elizabeth, ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name’ (Luke 1:46-49).

Family 2: We, like Mary, hear God’s call to be part of making God’s dream for our salvation and flourishing a reality, and we question, “How can this be? I am only…” Yet, like Mary, the “onlys” that make us hesitate are gifts God can and will use as God’s love transforms us into bearers of good news.

Congregation: We wait as people who have encountered divine Love that disrupts the status quo and ushers us into abundant life marked by mutual love and peace that flows from the flourishing of all people.

Family 1: We light these candles as signs of our shocking hope, our just peace, our fierce joy, and the love that transforms us. May Love grow within us, transforming us into bold witnesses of God’s salvation with our voices and our lives. Amen.

(Light the four outer candles of the Advent wreath.)

Opening Hymn — #234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (v. 1-3)

1. O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

2. True God of true God,
Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

Refrain

3. Sing, choir of angels,
sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain

O Come, All Ye Faithful
C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade
Public Domain

Pastor’s Time With the Children – Rev. Jacob Lee

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory – P.A.L.A.

Venite Adoramus
Jerry Estes
© 2010 Hal Leonard Corporation
Used with Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420

Advent Doxology

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.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken | Dean McIntyre
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Gracious and Generous God: We offer our gifts to you, recognizing that the energy exerted in our giving is tiny compared to what we’ve expended in finding the perfect gifts for our families and friends. You have granted us a glimpse of the true gift you seek, as revealed in the angel’s conversation with Mary. When told that she would give birth to our Savior, she simply said, “Yes, let it be according to your word.” May that affirmation of faith and obedience be the gift we offer this day. In Christ, we pray. Amen.

(Luke 1:26-38)

Scripture Readings — Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)

2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Choral Anthem — Chancel Choir

Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“Have You Seen a Great Light?”

Special Music – Josh

Advent Hallelujah
Words © Josh Beall
Music © 1984 Leonard Cohen, from Hallelujah (Secret Chord); Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Used with Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Closing Hymn — #98 “To God Be the Glory” (v. 1, 3)

1. To God be the glory,
great things he hath done!
So loved he the world
that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life
an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate
that all may go in.

Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father
thru Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory,
great things he hath done!

3. Great things he hath taught us,
great things he hath done,
and great our rejoicing
thru Jesus the Son;
but purer, and higher,
and greater will be
our wonder, our transport,
when Jesus we see.

Refrain

To God Be The Glory
Fanny Jane Crosby | William Howard Doane
Public Domain

Benediction

Postlude – Hani

Joy to the World! from “Gloria!”
Anna Laura Page
© 2021 Lorenz Publishing Corporation
Used with Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420