December 17th, 2023
3rd Sunday of Advent
Carol Service

Prelude
Introit: Come See The Beauty Of The King (3 Verses)
Welcome
Lighting The Third Advent Candle, (Joy)
L: The prophet Isaiah writes to announce that joy comes from God.
P: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me…and has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, … to comfort all who mourn; …to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning...”
L: Grief, pain and loss are inevitable. But woven into life is the joy of living in a universe that reflects God’s beauty.
P: Advent provides time to nurture joy in our lives and in the world God loves. Advent calls us to share with others the good news that comes into the world with the birth of Christ.
L: Holy are you, Source of all new life among us.
P: Jesus Christ comes as joy to the world.
L: We join with all creation and lift our hearts in joyful praise.
P: We light this candle to glow for joy.

(Lighting the Candle of Joy)
Advent Hymn: Joy Is A Song (Verse 3,1&2) …………….. # 119
Hymn: People In Darkness …………………………….…... # 124
Prayers of Adoration and Confession: (Responsively)
Assurance of Pardon
Choir Anthem: “Holy Child”
Scripture Reading: (Selected Verses)
Old Testament selected prophecies about the Messiah's birth which were fulfilled by the birth of Jesus Christ.
Hymn: All Earth Is Waiting (Vss. 1,2&4) ...................… # 109
Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6
Hymn: Once In Royal David's City (Vss.1,2&4) ........… # 166
Hymn: O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Vss.1,2&4) …..…. # 165
Responsive Reading:
L+R: In worship, we remember that God is with us.
M: God is with us in joy and in sorrow.
C: In Jesus Christ, God reshapes our lives, past, present and future.
L+R We wait with God for something new to emerge.
M: In this season, we await the birth of Jesus.
C: We wait in expectation, preparing to rejoice in Jesus’ name.
All: God of Light and Love, as we journey through this Advent season, Let us ponder the significance of Emmanuel, God with us. In the midst of challenges, we find strength in His abiding love. For the babe in the manger is a gift to all humanity, a symbol of God's unending love and boundless mercy. And so, with hearts full of anticipation, we welcome the Christ child.
Hymn: What Child Is This ........................................… # 161
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
Choir Anthem: “What Are You Dreaming Of”
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ……………....… # 139
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40
Hymn: Good King Wenceslas ...
Call to Offering
Offertory: Joyful, Joyful, Lord We Bring You …
Prayer of Dedication
Announcements
Christmas Tree New Ornaments
Choir Anthem: “On The Night When Jesus Was Born”
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn: Joy To The World ………................................… # 153
Commissioning and Benediction
Choral Response: Amen
Postlude