BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown

PRELUDE: “There’s A Song In The Air,”   arr. Robert Thygerson

Musicans today: Jann Moreshead, piano; Shannon Lewis, violin

PLEASE NOTE: This music provides an opportunity for us to meditate, prepare our hearts, and reverently worship God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Elder Susan Colts

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

You have multiplied the nation; You have increased its joy; they rejoice before You as with joy at the harvest; as they are glad when they divide the spoil.  (Isaiah 9:2-3)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.  (Isaiah 9: 6-7)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manager.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”  (Luke 2:8-14)

SONG OF PRAISE: “Silent Night! Holy Night!”

1 Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant, so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace,

sleep in heavenly peace.

2 Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight:

glories stream from heaven afar,

heav’nly hosts sing, “Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born!”

3 Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light,

radiant, beams from thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

4 Silent night, holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light.

With the angels let us sing

“Alleluia” to our King,

“Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born.”

INVOCATION: In Unison

Gracious God, make each of us an instrument of Your grace. Weave us into a community showing forth Your power and tenderness. We call on You today to gather us in Your love. Lead us to better know You and glorify You on each step of the journey of our lives. For to You belong all glory, laud and honor, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons and one God. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: Barbara & Daniel Jayne

HYMN OF WORSHIP: “The First Noel”

1 The first Noel the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,

on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain:

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel.

2 They looked up and saw a star

shining in the east, beyond them far;

and to the earth it gave great light,

and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]

4 This star drew nigh to the northwest,

o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;

and there it did both stop and stay,

right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]

6 Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our Heav’nly Lord,

That hath made heav’n and earth of naught,

And with His blood mankind hath bought.[Refrain]

                                 “What Child Is This?”

1 What Child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus:

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

2 Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]

3 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come, peasant, king to own Him.

The King of kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.[Chorus]

CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison

Awesome God, we marvel that You laid aside Your greatness and glory when You took on human flesh in Jesus Christ. Your love is steady and does not falter. You are faithful and true, even when we are not. Forgive us when we fail to make Your way our way and Your love our love. Grant us Your grace to live as You have called us to — every day, in ordinary ways and places. This we pray in the name of the One who is love and Your most perfect gift, Jesus Christ. Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.

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THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: PSC Member Barbara Jayne

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Tithes can be sent to PO Box 247, Roslyn, WA 98941

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OFFERTORY: “Were You There On That Christmas Night?,” arr. Natalie Sleeth

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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.

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HYMN OF ADORATION: “Angels We Have Heard on High”

1 Angels we have heard on high,

singing sweetly through the night,

and the mountains in reply

echoing their brave delight.

Refrain:

Gloria in excelsis Deo,

gloria in excelsis Deo.

2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why these songs of happy cheer?

What great brightness did you see?

What glad tidings did you hear? [Refrain]

3 Come to Bethlehem and see

him whose birth the angels sing.

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]

4 See him in a manger laid

whom the angels praise above.

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,

while we raise our hearts in love. [Refrain]

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CLOSING SONG: “Joy to the World!”

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive its king;

let ev’ry heart prepare him room,

and heav’n and nature sing,

and heav’n and nature sing,

and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let all their songs employ

while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,

nor thorns infest the ground.

He comes to make his blessings flow

far as the curse is found,

far as the curse is found,

far as, far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove

the glories of his righteousness,

and wonders of his love,

and wonders of his love,

and wonders, wonders of his love.

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