Bulletin for December 20, 2020

 

Marshall Presbyterian Church

December 20, 2020, 4^th Sunday of Advent

Carol Ann West, Pianist

Rev. Melissa Upchurch, Pastor

 

ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME

 

wELCOME

 

* CALL TO WORSHIP

 

One: We will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, We will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

All:   We declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

One: You promised Mary that she would bear a child — one who would inaugurate your commonwealth, your realm that will have no end.

All:    You have established your realm for all generations.

 

  Opening Prayer

 

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – Love, Christ (See handout)

 

 HY MN       Carol Ann’s Choice

 CALL TO CONFESSION

 UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 O God, we have been created in your image; indeed, you have crowned us with glory and honor.  But we have lived self-centered lives, thereby failing to reflect your glory.  We have not treated others with dignity and respect.  We have violated your good creation.  We confess our sin, O God…silent prayers of confession…Renew us and restore us to our rightful place as bearers of your image. Empower us as agents of your love and justice in all that we are and all that we do.  Amen.

* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

 

One: God’s mercy abounds.  God’s Advent grace goes before us, after us, through us — sometimes even unbeknownst to us, restoring us and empowering us for participation in God’s work in the world.  Friends, hear the good news of the gospel:  we are forgiven and restored, set on right paths of justice and peace.

All:   Thanks be to God.  Amen!

 

* Gloria Patri

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.  Amen.  Amen.

 

* PASSING THE PEACE

 

Special MUSIC

 

HEARING AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

 

prayer for illumination

 

THE Scriptures

 

Old Testament:  2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16                    p. 269

Gospel:                Luke 1:46b-55                             p. 888

Epistle:                Romans 16:25-27                        See bulletin

Gospel:                Luke 1:26-28                               p. 887

 

One:    The Word of God for the people of God!

All:      Thanks be to God!

 

TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES

Message                                                       Rev. Melissa Upchurch

 

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Apostles’ Creed - Traditional version)

 

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.

 

* HYMN    Carol Ann’s Choice

 

SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS            (See bulletin insert)

 

Sharing the Gifts of God 

  Offertory

*Doxology (ca. 1500s)

  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

  Praise him all creatures here below;

  Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

 

*Prayer of dedication And thanksgiving

 

Incarnate God, we offer our gifts to you that they may be used to further the promise of hope, peace, love and justice in our community and in our world. Empower us, O God, to follow these gifts into the world around us so that they, and we, might become bearers of peace, love and justice on the earth. Amen.

 

THE EUCHARIST

 

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

 

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING AND LORDS PRAYER

 

One:    May the God of peace be with you!

All:      And also with you!

One:    God has done great things for us!

All:      Filling our hearts with grace and hope

so we may offer them to others.

One:    Rejoice always, people of God.

All:      We come to the feast with songs of joy!

 The minister continues…The Spirit of the Lord…

we proclaim our highest praise:

All:      Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest!

 

The minister continues…Because you are holy… we testify to that mystery called faith:

All:      Christ died, carrying our sins for us;

Christ was raised, bringing resurrection life for us;

Christ will come, the Faithful One calling for us.

 

The minister continues…Gracious God, your Spirit is upon these gifts…As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:

All:      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.

 

BREAKING THE BREAD

 

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE (with special music)

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

 

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

 

* HYMN    Carol Ann’s Choice

 

*INVITATION

*CHARGE

*BENEDICTION