Fourth Sunday of Advent | December 22nd, 2024 | Carter Westminster-United Presbyterian Church

December 22, 2024 Fourth Sunday of Advent Gathering in God’s Name Prelude The Shepherds at the Manger Franz Liszt George Radosavljevic, piano Greeting, Welcome, and Announcements One: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Becoming the Beloved Community Carter - Westminster United Presbyterian Church Gathered for Worship Sunday Morning Worship - 10:45 a.m. Call to Worship One: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. All: With Mary, our spirits rejoice, and we sing God’s praise. One: Let us honor God with our worship this fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent Candle Lighting The Peng Family We begin by singing together “Wait for the Lord” (see insert) Hymn- (see insert) “Savior of the Nations, Come” NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND Call to Confession and Prayer of Confession Soon we will celebrate the Prince of Peace, but we are not a people at peace. We glorify violence and dismiss the pacifist as weak. We dominate and demean turning dialogue into debate. We wage war with enemies and invest in self-defense before giving non-violent strategies a chance. Lord, forgive us. Help us work towards your peaceable kin-dom, where swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Amen. Time of Silence for Personal Reflection Assurance of Pardon One: ...Believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Response: Glory to God VASILE Passing of the Peace One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. (Without leaving your seat, share the peace with those around you) Word Proclaimed Prayer for Illumination First Lesson: Luke 1:39-55 (p. 57) One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Time with Young Disciples Second Lesson: Luke 2:1-20 (p. 58) One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Message: “Fearless Love: God Has Looked with Favor on the Lowly… ” Affirmation of Faith (see insert) Hymn #251 “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” CAROL Sharing of Joys and Concerns - Prayers of the People - The Lord’s Prayer Thanksgiving Time for Generosity Offertory Christmastime — Michael Smith and Joanna Carlson The Chancel Choir Doxology # 815 “Praise God” Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication Holy God, with Mary we seek to magnify you in our worship and in our deeds. Accept these gifts and bless them for Christ’s ministry. May they lift the lowly and fill the hungry. May they reveal your glory present with us today and still yet to come. Amen. Sending Hymn #281 “What Child Is This?” GREENSLEEVES Charge and Benediction Postlude: Sleigh Ride Leroy Anderson George and Leo Radosavljevic, piano Angela De Venuto and Pat Radosavljevic, percussion (You are asked to remain seated for the Postlude) Going Forth *Please rise in body and /or in Spirit ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Portions of this service come from Rev. Teri McDowell Ott as published by “Presbyterian Outlook”. The Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy was written by Dr. Montisa Anntoinette Watkins, and Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis