Order of Worship

CANTATA SUNDAY

December 22, 2024, 11:00am

Love Came Down at Christmas: Cantata Sunday

Prelude Of the Father's Love Begotten/Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Joyce Stonebraker, piano arr. John Carter

Welcome and Announcements Pastor Lori

Introit Star-Child Carlton Young

Chancel Choir, Lydia Keller, alto

Lighting of the Advent Candles Candle of Love

*Call to Worship

Leader: All through this season of Advent, we have encountered Hope, Peace and Joy.
People: Today Belief and Love are the theme.
Leader: Today we will hear the story of surprising commitment.
People: We will learn of Mary and God's wonderful love.
Leader: Today we will be challenged to believe in all that God can do.
People: Open our hearts, Lord, that we may be ready for your love.

*Opening Prayer

Lord, be with us this morning as we encounter Mary and hear of the wondrous news that she received. Remind us that, like Mary, each one of us is a bearer of your Good News. We are called to proclaim hope, peace, joy, and love in your name. Open our hearts and our spirits today to receive with great joy the love that came down at Christmas. For we ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Processional Hymn - Once In Royal David's City arr. Richard Proulx

Chancel Choir and Congregation

flute, brass and percussion

1. Olivia Miller, soprano 2. Choir tenors and basses 3. Choir sopranos & altos

*4. CONGREGATION (please rise)*

Jesus is our childhood's pattern, day by day like us he grew,

He was little, weak, and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew:

And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.

5. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love,

For that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav'n above;

And he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.

6. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by,

We shall see him; but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high;

Where like stars his children crowned all in white shall wait around.

Old Testament Reading Micah 5:2-5a Liturgist, Liz Crumpler

Anthem Arise, Shine! Víctor Johnson

Chancel Choir, piano and brass

Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is upon you. Alleluia!

The people that once walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Those that dwell in the land of the shadows, upon them the light now shines!

O morning star how fair and bright! Your beams shine forth in truth and light,

O Sovereign meek and lowly! O Root of Jesse, David's son, our Lord and master, you have won

Our hearts to serve You only! You are holy! Fair and glorious, rich in blessing.

Rule and might o'er all possessing! Arise, for your light has come!

Scripture Reading Isaiah 12:2-6 Liturgist, Liz Crumpler

Anthem Love Came Down at Christmas Howard Helvey Chancel Choir, piano, oboe and flute

Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine;

Love was born at Christmas: star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine;

Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.

Scripture Reading Luke 1:39-45 Liturgist, Liz Crumpler

Sermon Anticipation: Believe Pastor Lori

Anthem Song of the Angels arr. Mark Hayes

(Based on the carols "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.")

Chancel Choir, piano, brass and percussion

Offering

Offertory Here Comes the Light Joseph Graham

Chancel Choir, piano, oboe and flute

Here comes the Light. Goodbye to darkness, goodbye to night!

In the eastern sky the stars are shining bright.

Oh, glory hallelujah, children, here comes the Light!

Look to heaven! Dawn is breaking. Sing to the nations. Sing jubilation.

Children are you ready? Here comes the Light.

My Lord, what a morning! Oh, my Lord, what a morning, when the angels start to sing!

*Response In the Bleak Midwinter UMH #221, verse 4

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring him a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

*Prayer of Thanksgiving

God of grace and wonder, we offer these gifts in response to your call. As Mary responded with

faith, we too say, "Here we are, let it be to us." Use these offerings to further your kingdom on earth. Empower us to be bearers of Christ's presence, bringing hope and love to our community. May our giving reflect the promise of Emmanuel, God with us, and bring light and joy in this Advent season. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer and 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 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 forever. Amen.

Anthem Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol

Chancel Choir arr. Joey Hoelscher

Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow.

For all is hushed, the world is sleeping, holy star its vigil keeping.

Sleep, sleep, sleep. The night is peaceful al around you,

Close your eyes, let sleep surround you

Sleep, sleep, sleep, 'Tis the eve of our Savior's birth.

Dream, dream, dream, of the joyous day to come.

While guardian angels, without number watch You as You sweetly slumber.

Dream, dream, dream, of the joyous day to come.

Sending Forth Pastor Lori

*Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles arr. David Willcocks

Chancel Choir and Congregation piano, brass, and percussion

1. O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, born the King of Angels:

(R)O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord.

2. See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: (R)

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above; Glory to God in the highest: (R)

4. Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus to thee be glory giv'n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: (R)

*Benediction

*Response Love Came Down at Christmas Howard Helvey

Postlude Rise Up Shepherd and Follow arr. Jack Schrader

*indicates an invitation to rise in body or in spirit.

2024 Cantata Sunday

Chancel Choir Gary Everts, conductor

Soprano Alto Tenor Bass

Jessica Kahn Chris Clough JJ Crumpler Don Christenson

Olivia Miller Marge Galloway Dennis Fuhr Ben Davis

Lori Reiber Lydia Keller Walt Jeffreys Dan Igo

Jodell Roberts Nancy Roberts Laura King Dave Morris

Winnie Williams Rebecca Sharlow Gary Sharlow Jon Sadler

Molly Vacha Roger Warren HL Wright

Instrumentalists

Chris Clough, flute

Liz Crumpler, oboe

Luke Bingham, trumpet

Ben Guegold, trumpet

Sarah Games, horn

Gavin Abrams, trombone

Warren Hyer, percussion

Joyce Stonebraker, piano and service player

Announcement

Christmas Eve Worship- Come for a wonderful evening of music, scripture and candle lighting! 7:00pm

Office Hours- The office will be closed for business Tuesday-Thursday so that our staff can spend time with their families for the holiday! Regular hours will resume the following week with the exception of New Years day.

This Week’s Calendar

Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm, Church Office Open (Holidays may affect office hours)

Monday-Saturday 12pm, 501 AA Group | Rm 306

Monday, 6pm, Community Volleyball Team | Gym

Thursday, 7pm, Heart-to-Heart NA Group | Rm 306

Church Staff:

Rev. Dr. Lori Reiber, Pastor

Gary Everts, Director of Music

Karen White, Seminary Intern

Olivia Miller, Handbell Director

Saundra Buck, Admin Asst.

Worship Check-In