ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today: Advent Readers/Candle Lighting – The Lockwood Family
Thank you to Chantel Lockwood and Melanie Rafferty for the special music.
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Christmas Boxes distribution
Thursday, Dec. 19: 7 p.m. Session Meeting
Sunday, Dec.22: Children/Teen Christmas Pageant. Parents, please have your children arrive by 9:30 a.m. to
rehearse in the sanctuary.
Choir anthem - Hymn #36 - verses 1 and 4.
Tuesday, Dec. 24: 7 p.m. Ecumenical Christmas Eve Service
There are Deacon Christmas envelopes in the Narthex. Your donations will help some elderly people this year.
During Advent we will also be singing Christmas hymns because there has been a request for Christmas hymns during Advent.
Happy birthday on Wednesday to Jackie Lockwood and Tammy Vezzose.
Please keep in your prayers the family of Pete Douglass. Pete passed away on December 10.
PRAYER LIST: John Gingerich, Rosie Wright, Jack Johnson, Bill Rothaug, Jamie Lyman Gingerich, Myrna Voelker, Ellen Elwell, Val Mills, Paula DeMass, Bob Stell, Mike & Linda Douglass, Mary Ann Sparnon, Carol Merrell, Edith Hutchings, Shirley Bishop, Tom Johnson, Jordan Lockwood, Arlene Youngman, Maxine Pankratz, and All MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING OUR COUNTRY
Pastor Walter’s contact info: 585-217-6030
LIKE US (WOLCOTT PRESBYTERIAN) ON FACEBOOK!
Prelude: “Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming” arr. Bish
Announcements
Passing of the Peace
The Peace of Christ be with you
…And Also with you.
Call to Worship
Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord!
People: Lift every valley, lift every voice.
Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord!
People: And all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.
*Hymn: #8 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Lighting the Advent Candles
Unison Prayer of Confession
Great God, as we prepare to behold the birth of Jesus again, we are mindful of how we have failed to receive the fullness of that gift. The story points us to your glory, yet we struggle to join in the song of praise and thanksgiving. We are distracted and confused, so focused on things of little significance we overlook the good news of great joy that you have prepared.
Tell us again that the Savior is born. Tell us again that we are forgiven. Tell us again that our lives can be abundant in faith, hope and love because of what you have given us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: The angel tells Joseph that the child forming in Mary’s womb is to be named Jesus. “Call him Jesus,” the angel says, “For he will save the people from their sins.” From his birth through his resurrection, from age to age, Jesus is about salvation. This is good news!
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*Gloria Patri Hymn #579
Special Music: “Mary, Did You Know?” Lowry/Greene
Duet with Chantel Lockwood and Melanie Rafferty
Young at Heart
*Hymn: #48 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
Scriptures: Zephaniah 3:14-20 (OT Page 877)
Isaiah 12:2-6 (OT Pages 641-642)
Philippians 4:4-7 (NT Page 198)
Luke 3:1-18 (NT Page 60)
Sermon: “Prepare the Way” Rev. Walter Stuber
*Hymn: #12 “People, Look East”
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Call
Offertory: “Pastoral Symphony” Handel
*Doxology Hymn #592
Unison Prayer of Dedication
O God, with faith and hope, we offer these gifts. Use them, even as you use us, to accomplish your purposes in Jesus Christ, our coming Lord. Amen.
*Hymn: #31 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
*Charge and Benediction
Leader: Let us go trusting in Jesus Christ, the one who is
surely coming. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
love of God, and the companionship of the Holy Spirit
be with you and abide with you today and always. Amen.
“Go Now in Peace”
Postlude: “Joyous Christmas Bells” Broughton
*Please stand if you are able.