ORDER FOR WORSHIP
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
* Congregation stands
BOLD – Congregation responds
PRELUDE Nathalie Wang, organist
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* Sanctus (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Judie & Buck Kellaway
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For God has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servants.
For the Mighty One has done great things for us, and holy
is God’s name.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob!
Blessed are those whose hope is in the LORD their God!
* HYMN No. 135 Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty and merciful God, in your presence we confess
that we have erred and strayed from your ways. We have
left undone those things which we ought to have done and
we have done those things which we ought not to have
done. Forgive us our sins.
(Silent personal prayers for confession)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
This is God’s Word of grace:
We are accepted, we are forgiven, we are loved.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Herein is the wisdom of God for the people of God.
May God grant us the grace and courage to live in this way.
Gloria Patri (pew card)
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
Come and lead your people into the way of salvation.
Isaiah 49:6 reads: The LORD says to his servant, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
(Lighting of the third candle)
Come, Lord Jesus, our light and our life.
Until that day, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: Springs in the Desert Arthur B. Jennings
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer Response O Jesus Franck
* HYMN No. 192 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Lord God, may your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Speak, O Lord, for your servants are listening.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Isaiah 35:1-10 (p. 578)
James 5:7-10 (p. 982)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Walking on the Holy Way Rev. Blaine Crawford
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Apostles’ Creed (pew card)
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 187 Jesus, Come! for We Invite You
* BENEDICTION
Response
POSTLUDE
PRAYER LIST
Please remember the following in your prayers:
Helga Brenner-Khan, Allegra DeMelo, Lynne Johnson, Robert
Keller, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary,
Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Edie Petry, Dorothy
Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 11, 2106
WE THANK NATHALIE WANG for serving as our organist today.
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE - Friday, Dec. 16, 7:30 P.M.
Are you anticipating a Blue Christmas? For many, “the most wonderful time of the year” is anything but. Join us at Church on the Hill for an inspirational service of song, meditation, comfort, and hope. This will be an ecumenical service with Grace Episcopal Church of Whitestone and First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone.
CRAWFORD HOLIDAY PARTY - Saturday, Dec. 17, 3:00-6:30 P.M.
Blaine and Brittnee Crawford invite the congregation to the parsonage (168- 03 35th Avenue) for a holiday open house. Drop in as you are able-- there will be plenty of food and holiday cheer!
WHITE CHRISTMAS SERVICE - Sunday, Dec. 18, 11:00 A.M.
Tableau of the Nativity of Christ. Bring your White Christmas gifts to be presented. Pick up your cards for the gifts in Gessner Hall.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE - Saturday, Dec. 24, 8:00 P.M. Followed by a wassail hour in Gessner Hour. All are invited.
CHRISTMAS MORNING SERVICE – Sunday, Dec. 25, 11:00 A.M.
CHURCH OFFICE & BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, except for worship services. We will re- open on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.
2017 AUCTION - Saturday, Jan. 7, in Gessner Hall. If you have small, easily transportable items to donate, WE WILL PICK UP YOUR DONATIONS. We do not take very heavy items or large furniture. Call the Church Office or Emerson Chen (917) 881-1868.