12/22/19 10:10am Service - 4th Sunday of Advent

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. We are preparing for the coming of Christmas, and we remember that God is on a mission to redeem a broken world.

Prelude
As the music starts before the service, take some time to center yourself in God's presence and direct your thoughts to him.

Meet & Greet
This is a time to say hi to the folks around you, and to share in God's peace and grace as we gather as a community of faith

Lighting the Advent Candle: Candle of Love
Symbols of Advent: Chrismon Tree
Every week during Advent we light a different candle and talk about more chrismons and their meaning. As we do, take time to reflect on their meaning and how that impacts our faith.

​First Hymn: #196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Announcements
Tuesday at 7pm is our Christmas Eve Service! Invite a friend and their family to come join us as we gather in celebration!
Our offering at the Christmas Eve Service goes to Mozambique. Help us help our brothers and sisters in another part of the world be the church and make disciples of Jesus.
The Youth Christmas party is after worship today

Joys & Concerns
This is a time to share the good things, joys, and celebrations in that have taken place in the last week, as well as the hard things and concerns that we face.

Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Lord's Prayer
Take some time to lift your prayers up to God, especially the joys and concerns that have been stated, or that have been left unstated. After some time for silent prayer, Pastor John will lead in a few words of prayer, and then we'll join together in 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 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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Children's Message
This is a time led by a church member with a message specially for our kids. Afterwards, the children are invited to go with the Sunday School teachers downstairs for their own special part of the service. They'll come back up at the end of the service. 
As the children come forward, please join in singing the first verse of Jesus Loves Me

1. Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! (sing 3x’s)
The Bible tells me so.

Offertory
The ushers will come forward and receive the offering plates. The liturgist will say a prayer as we begin a time to give to God. This isn't just about the money that we put in the plates, but it is about how we give to God out of our love for him.

Doxology
After the offertory has finished, please stand as you are able, and join in giving thanks to God for these offerings. Please join in singing the 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.

Prayer & Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20
15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the one who is first over all creation. 16Because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible.
Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him. 17He existed before all things, and all things are held together in him.
18He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the one who is firstborn from among the dead so that he might occupy the first place in everything.
19Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him, 20and he reconciled all things to himself through him—whether things on earth or in the heavens. He brought peace through the blood of his cross.​

Leader: This is the Word of God, for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God!

Second Hymn: #219 What Child is This

Message: Christ Our Peace
Meaning of Advent
umc.org, wikipedia
Chuck Knows Church
Advent Wreath, Chrismon Tree

Profession of Faith

Final Hymn: #240 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

​Benediction
Go and let God's mission become integrated into every part of your life. Know that God doesn't just forgive sin, but gives us wholeness and purpose in our lives so that we can live the best life possible.