WORSHIP ORDER
December 21, 2025
4th Sunday of Advent
WELCOME, GREETING, & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Scott Sears & Schauna Chambers
CHORAL PRELUDE
A Call to Christmas
Acolyte: Jacob Gerlach
Cross Bearer: Audra Gerlach
As the Light of Christ passes you, stand as you are able and then be seated when the Acolyte returns to the back of the sanctuary.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
(The service begins with the first three candles (Hope, Peace, and Joy) already lit. Only the final purple candle remains unlit.)
Leader 1: We stand at the threshold of Christmas, surrounded by the lights of anticipation—Hope, Peace, and Joy. These gifts prepare us for the final and greatest gift: the gift of God’s Love, revealed fully in Jesus Christ.
Leader 2: The Apostle Paul opens his letter to the church in Rome by establishing the identity of Jesus Christ and the purpose of his coming. His arrival is the ultimate act of God’s loving grace toward us. This week, we focus on the foundational truth that we are called to belong to Jesus Christ because of God’s boundless love.
The Reading of Scripture
Leader 1: Let us listen to the opening words of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, chapter 1, verses 1 through 7:
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, to all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The word of God for the people of God..
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
Lighting the Candle of Love
(Leader 2 approaches the Advent Wreath and lights the final blue candle, so that all four candles are now burning.)
Leader 2: The scripture tells us that the Son of God came as a descendant of David to fulfill the promises of the Father. His mission, driven by infinite grace, was to call us all to belong to Him. This is the Love that transforms the world.
Leader 1: We light this final purple candle of Love to acknowledge the divine, life-giving power of Christ’s presence and to commit ourselves to living as God’s beloved people, called to be saints. The full circle of expectation is now complete.
Leader 2: We stand ready to receive the grace and apostleship of Christ.
Congregation: We are called to belong to Jesus Christ in love.
Leader 1: We welcome the full light of Christ’s imminent arrival.
Congregation: We are called to belong to Jesus Christ in love.
Leader 2: We rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises.
Congregation: We are called to belong to Jesus Christ in love.
Hymn and Closing Prayer
Leader 1: Let us now sing the fourth verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” focusing on the theme of the promised Key of David who opens the way to God.
(The Congregation sings the fourth verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” :
O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Leader 2 (Prayer): Eternal God, as the light of these four candles shines fully, we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have received grace, peace, and the gift of belonging. Empower us to live out the Love that has called us, so that we may proclaim the gospel in word and deed. Keep our hearts prepared, for we eagerly await the celebration of the coming of our Lord. Amen.
Congregation: Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
#234 O Come, All Ye Faithful (v. 1, 3, 6)
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
Katrina Lee
SPECIAL MUSIC
Gabriel’s Message
Harmonia Quartet – Barb Nowlin, piano & Debbie Bradley, flute
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 7:10-16
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
SPECIAL MUSIC
Fum, Fum, Fum
Harmonia Quartet
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 1:18-25
THE WORD IN SONG – FIRST UMC SANCTUARY CHOIR
For Unto Us A Child is Born
I Saw Three Ships – Barb Nowlin & Rhonda Adkins, piano; Susan Wylie, soprano
The Light of Christmas Morn
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
OFFERING AND PASSING THE PEACE
DOXOLOGY
UMH #94
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
#238 Angels We Have Heard on High (v. 1 & 4)
CHORAL POSTLUDE
Calypso Gloria
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING
Scott Sears
