Sunday December 10, 2023
Prelude
Announcements
Opening Hymn – #251 Go, Tell It on the Mountain (3 verses)
Bell Choir – Our Great Savior
Opening Prayer
1st Scripture Reading – 1 Peter 3:13-17
Lighting the Advent Candle – ??? (Liturgy Below)
Choir Anthem – The First Noel – Women’s Quartet
Children’s Time
Joys & Concerns / Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer / Choral Response
Hymn – #218 It Came upon the Midnight Clear (4 verses)
Loving the Wider World through Our Giving
2nd Scripture Reading – Luke 2:9-14
Pastor’s Message “The Cast of Christmas – Week 2 – The Angels” – Pastor Devin
Praise Music – Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Nathan
Benediction
Postlude
1st Scripture Reading – 1 Peter 3:13-17
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for
doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15
but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who
demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, 16 yet do it with gentleness and
respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for
your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if
suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
2nd Scripture Reading – Luke 2:9-14
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing
you good news of great joy for all the people: 11
to you is born this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped
in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Lighting the Advent Candle – Week 2 – Peace
Reader 1: In days when God’s people longed for peace, Isaiah declared,
“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that
she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1).
Reader 2: We who gather today also seek comfort and peace, yet we are unsatisfied with ideas of
peace that tell us to keep quiet and go with the flow. We long for real peace, true peace, just peace.
Congregation: We wait as people who yearn for peace that bears the fruit of community, equity, and
flourishing for all.
Reader 1: We light these candles as signs of God’s shocking hope and just peace. May they be beacons
calling us to repent and to live the good news of Jesus Christ as we wait and watch and labor for the
day when all people can gather together to worship and glorify God. Amen.