Description

Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

Whenever a friend or family member is expecting a child we experience a season of love as a community. We pause and reflect on the hopes and dreams each one has for the coming baby. In Advent we also pause and reflect on the great love that God has shown us in sending his Jesus as a baby, We remember that as Mary expected her child she also expected as we do today the coming of the messiah. This Sunday pause with us as we prepare for Jesus coming anew this season.

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

 

 

Call to Worship:  Luke 1:46b-55 Mary’s Magnificat (read responsively)

 

46b-47 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 

48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

54-55 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our                              ancestors.”

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme  

Pastor              In the name of God our Father, who is ever loving and faithful to His good promises

ALL                  In the name of God the Son, who is our gracious Savior 

Pastor              In the name of God the Holy Spirit, who is our guide and renews our hope

ALL                  We thank you for your great love!

 

Opening Prayer

Pastor             Faithful God, you always keep your promises and you said that You would never leave us or forsake us. As we enter this Advent journey prepare our                                hearts to be carriers of Your Love. We have gathered here as Your Church to worship You and hear from Your Word. We place our hopes in You and                                joyfully give you praise. In Jesus’ Name         

ALL                  Amen!

  

Time of Praise and Worship

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

John Mason Neale & Henry Sloane Coffin, ©several publishers 
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com 

Because Of Your Love

Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, ©2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music & Thankyou Music

Everlasting God

Brenton Brown & Ken Riley, ©2006 Thankyou Music

 

[Traditional Options]

Savior Of The Nations Come  

EH 54; ELW 263; LBW 28; LSB 332; LW 13; PH 14; RS 480; WC 138; UMH 214; WAR 168

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

BH 75 78; BH 91 76; CH 245; CHH 119; EH 56; ELW 257; HWC 123; HFG 169; HLC 100; HGP 73; LBW 34; LSB 357; LW 31; NCH 116; PH 9; RH 117; RS 493; STTL 163; WC 133; UMH 211; WAR 154; WHM 120; WIS 171

 

Time of Greeting

 

Lighting of the Advent Candle

[Optional: Children’s Message and/or Dismissal to Children’s Church]

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

 [Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading          Micah 5:2-5

 

A prophecy of the prophet Micah regarding the Messiah and his birthplace.

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.  5 And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses.