The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Luke 1:35 (RSV)
View or Print the Bulletin with Song Sheet:
2020-12-20 4th Sunday of Advent
Sermon Series: The Whole Armor of God
Hearing God’s Word speak to us through the imagery of armor, in addition to the Bible Lectionary readings each week during Advent
CONNECT
BY PHONE OR COMPUTER
To participate by phone only:
Call any one of these numbers:
929-205-6099 or 253-215-8782,
301-715-8592 or 669-900-6833
When prompted, enter the
Meeting ID: 377 073 712
Passcode: 522606
Or
Tap Here for Zoom Video
on smart phone, computer, or tablet
Online meeting opens 15 minutes early
so we can greet each other as we gather
before the worship services.
WELCOME
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
December 20-26
Birthdays
Mark Weaver
Shannon Moore
Kaye Mabrey
Anniversaries
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-
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- Wednesday Bible Study, 6:30 pm
- 1 John 2
- Online Interactive Worship
- 5 pm Saturday
- 11 am Sunday
- In-Person Worship is suspended
- Wednesday Bible Study, 6:30 pm
-
The host will mute everyone except the leader during hymns and longer unison prayers so we can all sing and speak together without the distraction of various lag times. Otherwise, sound will be on for all participants so we can interact freely throughout the service (exception: disruptive background noises).
INVOCATION
SHEPHERD’S CANDLE FOR LOVE
“The Candle of Joy”
The candle of love
tells what we are worth:
God loves us so much,
God came to the earth!
An angel brought news
of a child who would be
The one who would save us
and set us all free.
Biblical References: Matthew 24:36-44, Mark 13:24-37; Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:68-79; Isaiah 2:4; Luke 1:46b-55; John 3:16-17; Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20;
John 1:1-14; Titus 3:4-7
Text: Copyright © 2015 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Suggested tune: “O Worship the King”
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Mary’s Little Boy Child”
Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible says
Mary’s Boy Child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day
Hark, now hear the angels sing
New King’s born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day
Now Joseph and his wife Mary
Came to Bethlehem that night
They found no place to bear her Child
Not a single room was in sight
Hark, now hear the angels sing
New King’s born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
They saw a bright new shining star
And heard a choir from heaven sing
The music came from afar
Hark, now hear the angels sing
New King’s born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day
Words & Music by JJ Hairston
© 1956 Schumann Music
Copyright released
CCLI License # 3194034
PRAISE AND TESTIMONIES
Briefly share your recent God-Sightings, joys, thankfulness, and good thoughts so the rest of us can rejoice with you.
PRAYER CONCERNS
We remain in solidarity with suffering children, immigrants, victims of war and storms, and everyone affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additions from Last Week
Bonnie Ross, Cheryl Lawson, Annette Deem, Family of Kay Wyatt
Health Care Workers
Ron Fowler, Melissa Milam, Donna Smith, Greer Waldrop, Joy Crook, Susie Schumann
Homebound
Dianne Stallion, Freda & Dan Wyatt, Mary Lou Anderson, Betty Travis,
Carl Hamilton, Ruth Purvis
Military Families
Ron Fowler, Dylan Field, Kale Merrick, Matthew Petway, Sarah Petway, Randy Bagwell, Christopher Telle, Brittany Jones, Bryar Fortner
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle for December 20-26:
Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
From St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville AR, Worship Bulletin
Extend your greeting to your favored ones, O God, and let your Holy Spirit overshadow us, that we may proclaim your love to our generation, as we look for the coming of Christ, saying:
Let your faithfulness and love be with us;
for your love is established for ever.
Let your prophetic writings be made known to all nations to bring release and comfort to all who are oppressed, to lift up the lowly, and to fill the hungry with good things.
Let your faithfulness and love be with us;
for your love is established for ever.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
AND RECONCILIATION
Brief silent consideration of how we have responded to our personal and congregational opportunities to do good, as we face ourselves honestly in the presence of the Almighty.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
May Almighty God have mercy on us
to bless our good works
and forgive us our sins,
and lead us into everlasting life.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
OFFERTORY
www.Briensburg.org/donate
We give thanks for those who are continuing their financial support of our ministries with online, mail-in, or drop-off tithes and offerings.
We offer to the Lord our prayers,
our presence, our gifts,
our service, and our witness,
praying they will be multiplied
for the upbuilding of God’s kingdom.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Praise God all creatures here below!
Praise God above, ye Heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
CCLI Song # 56204 CCLI License # 3194034
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain
THE BIBLE READING
Links to multiple translations:
Luke 1:26-38
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
HYMN OF CELEBRATION
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Infant holy,
infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing,
Christ the babe is
Lord of all.
Swift are winging,
angels singing,
noels ringing,
tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is
Lord of all.
Flocks are sleeping,
shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory,
heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing,
free from sorrow,
praises voicing,
greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was
born for you.
UM Hymnal #229
WORDS: Polish carol; Lk. 2:6-20
trans. by Edith M. G. Reed, 1925
PASSING THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you all!
And also with you!
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
CONVERSATIONAL SERMON
Everyone is invited to share as the Pastor leads a discussion of these sermon points.
The Sword of the Lord
Like a “surgeon’s scalpel” (MSG)
The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
“Cut Straight” (Thayer’s and Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Produces the intended results
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; t shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
Provides awareness and guidance
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 (GNT)
The Living Word
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
John 1:14 (MSG)
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
The Altar in our hearts is always open
HYMN OF DEDICATION
“Silent Night, Holy Night”
Silent night holy night
All is calm all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav’nly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night holy night
Son of God love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Silent night holy night
Wondrous star lend thy light
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
CCLI Song # 27862 CCLI License # 3194034.
Franz Xaver Gruber | John Freeman Young | Joseph Mohr
© Words & Music: Public Domain
“Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Jesus, Mark 16:15
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
We invite you, your friends, and your family to a relationship with God in Jesus Christ, and to full participation and membership in our congregation.
GOING FORTH TO LOVE OTHERS
AS CHRIST LOVES US
CHORAL BENEDICTION
“Beloved, Let Us Love One Another”
Beloved let us love one another
For love is of God and ev’ryone that loveth
Is born of God and knoweth God
He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love
Beloved let us love one another
First John four seven and eight
CCLI Song # 26344; CCLI License # 3194034
Dennis Ryder
© 1974 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
