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PRELUDE – Dustin Tatro, Organ
WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER Rev. Steve Patterson
HYMN “Angels From the Realms of Glory”
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH The Tom and Marty Cash-Burless Family
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Claudia Anderson
PASSING THE PEACE
MORNING PRAYER
– Share a new prayer request
THE LORD’S PRAYER
ANTHEM “Joy Has Dawned” by Stuart Townend
SCRIPTURE & SERMON
“The Promise of Joy” Rev. Dr. John B. Miller
Matthew 1:18-23 NRSV
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
How do we experience the joy of God’s presence?
- Cultivate an Awareness of God’s Presence
- Focus Our Attention on God’s Presence
- Share the Joy of God’s Presence
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH UMH 881 “Apostles’ Creed” – Rev. Steve
OFFERTORY PRAYER Dr. John
OFFERTORY RESPONSE HYMN 190 “Who Is He In Yonder Stall
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BENEDICTION Rev. Steve
POSTLUDE -Jeanine Wheeler, Piano