23 Dec. 2007 Bulletin

Fourth Sunday in Advent*

We welcome in a spirit of silence as the prelude begins our service.

The poinsettias and gracing our altar in celebration of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, 2007th Birthday and in memory of family and loved ones of our historic & beloved church! Your donations were given to the Christmas Restoration Fund in lieu of fresh poinsettias this year.

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
Introit "The Nativity Prayer"

Welcome and Blessing of the Christmas Gifts

The Lighting of the 4th Advent Candle - J. Danielou
We live always during Advent.
WE ARE ALWAYS WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME.
The Messiah has come,
BUT IS NOT FULLY MANIFEST.
The Messiah is not fully manifest in us.
THE MESSIAH IS NOT FULLY MANIFEST IN HUMANKIND AS A WHOLE.
Just as Christ was born according to the flesh in Bethlehem of Judah,
SO MUST HE BE BORN ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT IN EACH ONE OF US.
The Fourth Candle is now lit.

*Hymn 145 "O Come All Ye Faithful"

Let us be before our God in silence.

Unison Prayer:
FATHER & MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE EARTH REJOICES IN HOPE OF THE SAVIOR'S COMING & LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS RETURN AT THE END OF TIME. PREPARE US & REMOVE FROM US WHAT HINDERS US FROM BEING A SIGN OF JOY, HOPE & LOVE TO THE WORLD THAT HIS PRESENCE DOES BESTOW. AMEN.

Kyrie (sung)
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US.
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.

A Word of Assurance

The Summary of the Law (Mark 12:29-31)
This is the first commandment:
HEAR O ISRAEL,
THE LORD OUR GOD,
THE LORD IS ONE!
THEREFORE YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL,
WITH ALL YOUR MIND,
AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.
This is the second commandment:
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
There is no greater commandment than these.

Anthem "The Bells of Bethlehem" I. Slaney & "Sing Gloria" K. Davis

THE WORD OF GOD
*Responsive Reading: The Canticle of Zechariah Luke 1:68-79

*Gloria Patri (Hymn No. 623)
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY GHOST.
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW AND EVER SHALL BE,
WORLD WITHOUT END,
AMEN, AMEN!

The Greeting of Peace
Announcements
*Hymn "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming"

Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 7:10-14
Epistle: Romans 1:1-7
The Celtic Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon
Hymn "Love Came Down at Christmas"
*The Apostles' Creed

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
*Offertory Anthem "Angels We Have Heard On High"
The Offering
*Doxology (625) and Prayer
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW;
PRAISE GOD ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW;
PRAISE GOD ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS;
PRAISE FATHER (CREATOR), SON (CHRIST) AND HOLY GHOST. AMEN.

Giving Thanks to God
The Prayer of the People & the Lord's Prayer
*Hymn 125 "Joy to the World"
*Benediction
*Choral Response "Ring the Bells" H. Bollback
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

Please join us for worship, if you can, on Christmas Eve for Lessons & Carols in the Parish House at 8:15 PM.

Our thanks to Elder Louise Fabiszak, the Outreach Committee and the many, many members and Friends of Historic New Utrecht who made our Living Nativity come to life! Thank you! Thank you!

SINCE the coming of Christ goes on forever - he is always he who is to come in the world and in the church - there is always an Advent going on.

-Jean Danielou