December 22, 2024
Sunday Gathering

The Fourth Sunday of Advent
. . . . . . . . . . 

-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-
We acknowledge that the place where we are gathered today is the ancient and ancestral homeland of more than twenty Indigenous tribes. We mourn the loss of their lives, livelihoods, homes, and cultures, and acknowledge the legacy of violence against them.

We acknowledge that the space where we worship today was established and built by those whose Black ancestors were also abused and mistreated - some even bought and sold as enslaved people right here in our city.

We acknowledge the women who’ve faced unfair treatment and misogyny throughout the ages and we acknowledge those who identify as LGBTQ or other who’ve been mistreated and misunderstood.

We acknowledge our role and responsibility as professed followers of Christ to stand for and alongside all of these and others who have been and continue to be oppressed.

-PRELUDE-
“Joy in the Morning” – N. Sleeth
Brenda Gardiner

-WELCOME-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Joy in the Morning”

THERE’LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY,
THERE’LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY,
FOR THE DAYLIGHT WILL DAWN WHEN THE DARKNESS IS GONE,
THERE’LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY.

THERE’LL BE PEACE AND CONTENTMENT EVERMORE,
THERE’LL BE PEACE AND CONTENTMENT EVERMORE,
EVERY HEART, EVERY VOICE ON THAT DAY WILL REJOICE,
THERE’LL BE PEACE AND CONTENTMENT EVERMORE.

-CALL TO WORSHIP-
Thank you, God, for the Joy you’ve shown us;
YOUR JOY FAR EXCEEDS ANY EARTHLY JOY.

Over and over again, we see your joy
reflected in the compassion and good deeds of others;
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE JOY WE’VE KNOWN.

Help us, O God, to be your Joy in our world;
HELP US TO CARRY YOUR JOY WITHIN US,
AND GIVE TO OTHERS IT AS IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US.

AMEN!

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Joy in the Morning”

THERE’LL BE LOVE AND FORGIVENESS EVERYWHERE,
THERE’LL BE LOVE AND FORGIVENESS EVERYWHERE,
AND THE WAY OF THE LORD WILL THAT DAY BE RESTORED,
THERE’LL BE LOVE AND FORGIVENESS EVERYWHERE.

FOR THE DAYLIGHT WILL DAWN WHEN THE DARKNESS IS GONE.

THERE'LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY.

-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”

JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE YOU,
GOD OF GLORY, GOD OF LOVE;
HEARTS UNFOLD LIKE FLOWERS BEFORE YOU,
OPENING TO THE SUN ABOVE.
MELT THE CLOUDS OF SIN AND SADNESS,
DRIVE THE STORMS OF DOUBT AWAY;
GIVER OF IMMORTAL GLADNESS,
FILL US WITH THE LIGHT OF DAY.

ALL YOUR WORKS WITH JOY SURROUND YOU,
EARTH AND HEAVEN REFLECT YOUR RAYS,
STARS AND ANGELS SING AROUND YOU,
CENTER OF UNBROKEN PRAISE.
FIELD AND FOREST, VALE AND MOUNTAIN,
FLOWERY MEADOW, FLASHING SEA,
CHANTING BIRD AND FLOWING FOUNTAIN,
TEACH US WHAT OUR PRAISE SHOULD BE.

YOU ARE GIVING AND FORGIVING,
EVER BLESSING, EVER BLESSED,
WELLSPRING OF THE JOY OF LIVING,
OCEAN DEPTH OF HAPPY REST!
LOVING SPIRIT, FATHER, MOTHER,
ALL WHO LOVE BELONG TO YOU;
TEACH US HOW TO LOVE EACH OTHER,
BY THAT LOVE OUR JOY RENEW.

MORTALS, JOIN THE MIGHTY CHORUS
WHICH THE MORNING STARS BEGAN;
BOUNDLESS LOVE IS REIGNING O’ER US,
RECONCILING RACE AND CLAN.
EVER SINGING, MOVE WE FORWARD,
FAITHFUL IN THE MIDST OF STRIFE,
JOYFUL MUSIC LEADS US ONWARD
IN THE TRIUMPH SONG OF LIFE.  

-SCRIPTURE-

Matthew 2: 1-2, 10-11a (CEB)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him.

 -SPECIAL MUSIC-

“Joy in the Morning”
BUCC Ensemble

 -THE MESSAGE-

“There'll be Joy!”
Kenny Bishop

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"God Comes to Us”

GOD COMES TO US ON WINTER NIGHT,
IN BABY’S BREATH, BY FIRELIGHT,
GOD COMES TO US ON A STAR.
GOD COMES TO US AMIDST OUR FEARS,
UNSPOKEN JOYS, UNENDING TEARS,
GOD COMES TO US WHERE WE ARE. 

-JOYS & CONCERNS-

-PASTORAL PRAYER-

-SINGING TOGETHER- 

"Emmanuel”

EMMANUEL, EMMANUEL, 

HIS NAME IS CALLED EMMANUEL.

GOD WITH US, REVEALED IN US,

HIS NAME IS CALLED EMMANUEL.

-COMMUNION-
“Canon in D” – J. Pachelbel

-OFFERING-

-THANKS TO THOSE WHO SERVE-

-ANNOUNCEMENTS-

-INVITATION TO RESPOND-

-SINGING TOGETHER- 

 "Joy to the World”

JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME:
LET EARTH IT’S PRAISES BRING;
LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM,
AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING,
AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING,
AND HEAVEN, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING.

JOY TO THE EARTH! THE SAVIOR REIGNS!
LET ALL THEIR SONGS EMPLOY;
WHILE FIELDS AND FLOODS,
ROCKS, HILLS, AND PLAINS
REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY,
REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY,
REPEAT, REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY.

HE RULES THE WORLD WITH TRUTH AND GRACE,
AND MAKES THE NATIONS PROVE
THE GLORIES OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
AND WONDERS OF GOD’S LOVE,
AND WONDERS OF GOD’S LOVE,
AND WONDERS, AND WONDERS OF GOD’S LOVE. 

-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Joy in the Morning”

THERE’LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY,
THERE’LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY,
FOR THE DAYLIGHT WILL DAWN WHEN THE DARKNESS IS GONE,
THERE’LL BE LOVE AND FORGIVENESS EVERYWHERE.

FOR THE DAYLIGHT WILL DAWN WHEN THE DARKNESS IS GONE,
THERE’LL BE JOY IN THE MORNING ON THAT DAY. 

. . . . . . . . . .  

-THE TEAM-

ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner,  Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood

BUILDING CARE:  Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson

FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Kathy Lyons, Steve Melton, Barry Thompson, Seth Tuska

NURSERY: Linda Netherton

PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner

PROPERTY CARE: West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste

SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson

SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Margaret McGladrey, Chris Cook

TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Dale Hamilton,  Morgan Hamilton, Timmy Smallwood