December 22, 2024 – Fourth Sunday in Advent with lessons and carols and Sunday school participation
A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, December 22, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, December 22.
Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.
Prelude
Lighting of the Christ Candle
This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship (PWS&D liturgy)
One: As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we remember that Christ modelled love by seeking justice for those on the margins.
All: We come with a desire to love everyone, even when it’s hard.
One: We light the fourth candle of Advent, a symbol of God’s love, which knows no boundaries.
(Light the candle of love)
One: May the light of this candle inspire us to act towards our neighbours near and far in loving and justice-seeking ways.
All: Holy One, we love because You first loved us. By the power of your Spirit, commit us to love in action in service of our neighbors. Affirm within us a dedication to show your love to the world, in both word and deed. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Processional Carol
“Hope is a Star” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 119). Words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–); music (tune “Moon Beams”; 1989) by Joan Collier Fogg (1949–). Words and music © copyright 1989 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
Opening Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
The First Lesson
Isaiah 9:2,6–7 <– This links to on-line text of the NRSV bible. Other scripture links on this web page link to their respective on-line texts.
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Carol
“The first Nowell“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 136) — verses 1 and 4. Words traditional English traditional carol, 17th century. Music English traditional carol, published in “Sandy’s Christmas Carols” in 1833. Descant and alternate harmony by Anglo-Canadian composer Healey Willan (1880–1968). Words, music, descant and alternate harmony all public domain.
“The Star of Bethlehem” read by Zoe Szeto
“Bethlehem” read by Scarlett
Carol
“O Little Town of Bethlehem“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 165). Words (1868) by American clergyman and author Phillips Brooks (1835–1893). Music (1868) by Brooks’ collaborator, American musician Lewis Redner (1831–1908). Words and music public domain.
The Second Lesson
“Gabriel” read by Olivia
Carol
“What Child is This?“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 161). Christmas carol from 1865 with words by English hymnwriter William Chatterton Dix (1837–1898), which was set in 1871 to the traditional English tune “Greensleeves“. Words and music public domain.
GCPC Junior & Senior Choirs present
“Carol of the Drum”. Words and music by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis (1892–1980). Music inspired by the French-Burgundian carol Patapan (first published 1720) by French poet and lawyer Bernard de la Monnoye (1641–1728).
Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst
“Carol of the Drum” is often retitled “The Little Drummer Boy”. Today we welcome our children from the Junior Choir to accompany the Senior Choir with hand drums — a very auspicious pairing indeed! I don’t believe this anthem has been sung during advent in this church — especially as it looked untouched from our very own GCPC library of choir music. What a blessing that our church still has the membership to feature intergenerational music ministry!
The Third Lesson
“Mary” read by Amelia
Carol
“Born in the night” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 137). Words and music (1964; tune: “Mary’s Child”) by English minister and composer Geoffrey Jackson Ainger (1925–1913). Harmony (1964) by American music academic and composer Richard D. Wetzel (1935–2023). Words, music and harmony copyright © 1964 Stainer & Bell, Ltd. (admin. Hope Publishing Company); used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A
The Fourth Lesson
“The Holy Spirit” read by Jaxon
Carol
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing“ (Book of Praise 1997 Hymn 139). Words by English Methodist founder and hymnwriter Charles Wesley (1707–1788) first published in 1739; adapted in 1754 by Methodist founder George Whitefield (1714–1770); and further adapted in a 1782 edition of the Tate and Brady psalms. Music by English organist William Hayman Cummings (1831–1915), adapted by him in 1855 from the composition “Festgesang“ (1840) by German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847). Words and music public domain.
The Fifth Lesson
“Jesus” read by Samuel
Carol
“Away in a manger“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 149). Words (verses 1, 2) from “The Little Children’s Book for School and Families circa 1895; words (verse 3) from Gabriel’s Vineyard Songs 1892. Music (1895; tune “Cradle Song”) by American composer William J. Kirkpatrick (1838–1921). Follow the linked title to the Wikipedia article on the hymn for more information. Harmony by English composer and organist Eric Harding Thiman (1900–1975). Words and music public domain. Harmony copyright © United Reformed Church in the UK / Oxford University Press. Words and harmony used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
Offering and Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of the People
The Sixth Lesson
John 1:1–14 read by Bonnie
Carol
“O come, all ye faithful“ (Book of Praise 1997 Hymn 159). Words and music attributed to many sources. Follow the linked title to the Wikipedia article on the hymn for more information. Words and music public domain.
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.
Blessing
“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.
Postlude
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Last updated 2024-12-21 16:50 – First version.