St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church


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ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR SERVICE OF WORSHIP THIS MORNING

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church lives to celebrate God’s love through worship, seek God’s truth through education, and share God’s gifts through mission and fellowship. We encourage you to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a time of coffee, cookies and fellowship following the morning service. All who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are welcome to join St. Andrew's. If you have no church home, we invite you to consider uniting with us as we seek to faithfully serve our Lord.  Speak to an usher or the Pastor at the close of the service to learn more.

Greeters:  Karen Kriner

Acolyte:  Joey Wilcox

Ushers:  Jan Talbott and Jim Cooper

Coffee Hosts:  Jeanne Hollis and Judith Wilson

(Click this link to read the calendar insert)

(Click this link to see the Christmas Poinsettia Dedications)

ORDER OF WORSHIP

4th Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2006                                                                                     10:00 a.m.

*Those able may stand

GREETINGS, CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH AND REGISTRY OF ATTENDANCE

PRELUDE                       “O Come Little Children”                           von Schulz

BRINGING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THIS ROOM

*CALL TO WORSHIP

ALL:  (Hymn 9, verse 1)  O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

ONE:  Let us sing of God’s steadfast love forever, and proclaim God’s faithfulness to all generations!

ALL:  God’s steadfast love is established forever; God’s faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

ONE:  God said, “I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.”

ALL:   Let the heavens praise God’s faithfulness!  Let us worship God!                         (From Psalm 89)

*HYMN  8          “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Dear God, we sing, "O Come All Ye Faithful," but we know that we are not always faithful.  There were times this past week when we could have shown love, but we kept ourselves busy with other things, or we spoke without thinking and our words hurt someone.  Amid the bright colors that surround us, send the light of Your Christ, so everything good may be revealed more clearly and all that is wrong may be exposed and changed.

*SILENT PRAYER

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S PARDON

*SONG OF ZECHARIAH (Hymn 602, verse 1)

Blest be the God of Israel, Who comes to set us free; Who visits and redeems us, Who grants us liberty.  The Prophets spoke of mercy, of freedom and release; God shall fulfill that promise and bring the people peace.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES

READING FROM THE EPISTLE                                            Hebrews 10:5-10

READING FROM THE PROPHET                                              Isaiah 9:2-7

JESSE TREE                                                                   St. Andrew’s Singers

ANTHEM        “Christmas in the Manger Medley”                            arr. Hayes

READING FROM THE GOSPEL                        John 15:5; Revelation 22:1,2

SERMON        “Trees:  We Are the Branches”                    Rev. Ann LaMar

(Click this link to read the sermon)

*HYMN  56 (verses 1 and 2)    “The First Nowell”

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from The Scots Confession of 1560)

When the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, his eternal wisdom, the substance of his own glory, into this world, who took the nature of humanity from the substance of a woman. . . And so was born the “just seed of David,” the “Angel of the great counsel of God,” the very Messiah promised, whom we confess and acknowledge to be Emmanuel, true God and true man, two perfect natures united and joined in one person.  (3.06)

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Page 16, Traditional)

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.

 

PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                       “Come Thou, Dear Redeemer”                   Thiman

*DOXOLOGY (Hymn 592) AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION

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. Amen.

*HYMN  41 (verses 1 and 3)   “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

*THE CHARGE AND THE BENEDICTION

*CARRYING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

And the peace of God, that passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts, shall keep your minds on Jesus Christ.

POSTLUDE                        “Ukranian Bell Carol”                      Leontivich

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