SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Advent 4, Year B, December 20, 2020
Sunday Worship
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Look! The young woman is with child;
All: she will call him Emmanuel, for God is with us. (Isaiah 7:14)
One: A ruler will come from Bethlehem,
All: and he will be the shepherd of peace. (Micah 5:2, 5)
One: The mystery of the ages is now revealed.
All: To God be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.
(Personal and Silent Prayers of Confession.)
FIRST READING Romans 16:25-27
16:25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
16:26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith —
16:27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
One: The inspired Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
SERMON READING Luke 1:26-38
1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
1:28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
1:29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
1:30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
1:31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.
1:33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
1:34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
1:35 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.
1:36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.
1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
1:38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
One: The inspired Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
SERMON “The Faith of a Young Girl” Rev. Chris Turner
*STATEMENT OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting . Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS/PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY
*BLESSING AND CHARGE
UPCOMING DATES
Sunday (December 20)
10:55 Worship (Virtual Online Worship)
1:30 Stated Session Meeting
Tuesday (December 22)
6:00 Bible Study Zoom (Canceled until late December or early January.)
Thursday (December 24)
6:30 Christmas Eve Service (Will be a zoom meeting or an online video, we will send an email or you are welcome to call Pastor Chris)
Sunday (December 27)
10:55 Worship (Virtual Online Worship)