1. 3rd Sunday of Advent

2. Welcome and Announcements
Cambridge Chimes
Welcome and Announcements
Greeting Each Other
Ringing of the Bell

3. Lighting of the candles
Prelude
“Joy”
~Young
Lighting of the candles

4. SCRIPTURE READING:
Matthew 1:18-23

5. Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way
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. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to

6. public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly
public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 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. She will bear a son,

7. and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’

8. INTROIT
“A Seasonal Alleluia”
~Joanna Sokol, chimes

9. L: Friends, she will bear a son, and he will save his people.
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Friends, she will bear a son, and he will save his people.
P: That is a day filled with joy.
L: His name shall be Emmanuel, God With Us.

10. P: When God is with us, we cannot help but be filled with hope, peace, and joy.
L: He will be the light that shines on us in the darkness. P: Standing in his light, our hearts are warm and we rejoice.

11. L: A child has been born for us; a son given to us.
P: Let us rejoice and worship the God who comes to us.

13. LIGHTING OF THE JOY CANDLE L: Joyful, joyful, we adore you
LIGHTING OF THE JOY CANDLE L: Joyful, joyful, we adore you. P: God of Glory, Lord of Love. L: Hearts unfold like flowers before you.

14. P: Opening to the Son above. L: Today we light the candle of Joy
P: Opening to the Son above. L: Today we light the candle of Joy. P: But sometimes it feels like joy is in short supply. L: Yes, but in scripture and song, we are reminded that joy comes from God.

15. P: So, let us rejoice in the light of Christ this day. Amen.

16. HYMN #12 “People, Look East” v.1
People, look east, the time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your home fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table.

17. People, look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.1
People, look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.

18. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.2
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.

19. People, look east and sing today: Love the rose is on the way.
HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.2
People, look east and sing today: Love the rose is on the way.

20. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.3
Birds, though you long have ceased to build, Guard the nest that must be filled. Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.

21. People, look east and sing today: Love the bird is on the way.
HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.3
People, look east and sing today: Love the bird is on the way.

22. HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.4
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together.

23. People, look east and sing today: Love the star is on the way.
HYMN #12 “People Look East” v.4
People, look east and sing today: Love the star is on the way.

24. *PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
God of joy and rejoicing, today we bow our heads before you. You give us so much, but this time of year we focus on what we don’t have.

25. You offer us your Presence, and yet we choose to spend our time with things that do not bring us your joy. As we approach this Christmas quickly, shine your light in our hearts

26. and grant us forgiveness for our failings
and grant us forgiveness for our failings. Help us to walk in your light and bring that light to others.

27. * ASSURANCE OF PARDON
L: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Sisters and Brothers, know God’s love is shined upon you and God forgives your sins.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.

28. PROCLAIMING THE WORD
SCRIPTURE READING:
Isaiah 9:2-7

29. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,

30. as people exult when dividing plunder
as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be

31. burned as fuel for the fire
burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually,

32. and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

33. L: This is the word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God!

34. Christ’s Birth and Youth
“Hush My Babe, Lie Still and Slumber” ~Grace Alessi

35. “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” Gregorian Chant
The Middle Ages ( AD)
“Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” Gregorian Chant

36. “What Child is This?” arr. North
The Renaissance ( )
“What Child is This?” arr. North

37. “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” J.S. Bach
The Baroque Period ( )
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” J.S. Bach

38. The Classical Period (1750-1820)
“Ave Maria” ~Schubert Beth Resch

39. The Romantic Period (1820-1920)
“Pavane for a Silent Night” ~Ravel Brandon Arva, flute

40. The Contemporary Period (1920-Present)
“Amen/Go Tell It On the Mountain/He’s Got the Whole World” Dan Taylor, Acoustic Guitar & Bass

41. OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD
Offertory Invitation
Offertory
“Gesu Bambino”
~Yon

42. Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
*DOXOLOGY #542, v.4
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.

43. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, in joyful response to the great blessings you grant us, we offer our gifts in hope. We especially give thanks for the great gift of joy in

44. your Son who comes to us soon
your Son who comes to us soon. We pray that Jesus will be born anew into our hearts, and that the witness of our lives will convince others of the joy, wonder, and

45. miracle of Christmas. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

46. JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASTORAL PRAYER

47. The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

48. 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.

49. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

50. BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

51. HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.1
Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye, who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

52. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.1
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

53. HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.2
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light:

54. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.2
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

55. HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.3
Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations; ye have seen His natal star:

56. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.3
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

57. HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.4
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:

58. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
HYMN #22 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v.4
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

59. BENEDICTION

60. Postlude “Shout the Glad Tidings” ~Avison