December 18, 2022 ~ 11:00 AM ~ THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BLAIRSVILLE

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BLAIRSVILLE December 18, 2022 ~ 11:00 AM Fourth Sunday of Advent THE ORDER OF SERVICE Words of Greeting Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Sharing of Opportunities, Joys and Concerns PREPARATION FOR THE WORD OF GOD Prelude-“Wachet Auf!” (“Sleepers Awake”) Arr. Ohad Wand-The Blairsville Brass Call to Worship (Psalm 80)-Connie Bruner, Liturgist Leader: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! People: You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Leader: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. People: But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. Leader: Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. People: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Prayer of Confession Holy God, we confess that we do not walk in your light. We choose what is evil and refuse what is good. We scorn our neighbors and laugh at others’ troubles. Forgive us; deliver us; let your face shine on us, so that we may be ready to meet our Emmanuel, Jesus Christ our Lord. Assurance of Forgiveness Gloria Patri “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”-By Gary Fladmoe-The Blairsville Brass O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. Lighting of the Advent Candle The Bruner Family A candle is burning, a candle of love, a candle to point us to heaven above, a baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth, for Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth. Sharing of the Peace Sacrament of Holy Baptism and Reception of New Members Gospel Lesson-Matthew 1:18-25 JESUS! THE ADVENT OF THE MESSIAH By Mary McDonald and Rose Aspinall “Christmas Gloria” “The Gathering” “God with Us to Dwell” “Heavenly Peace” “He Is Born” “Born A Mighty King” “There Is Room” “Jesus! High and Holy One” Hymn # 179, “Joy to the World” Benediction Postlude-“Lift Up Your Heads”-Arr. James Gilbert-The Blairsville Brass