Chiming of the Hour and Prelude

Welcome to Worship: Rev. Eric S. Porterfield

Call to Worship: Rev. Alicia Porterfield
Rev. DaVontaé Edwards

A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;
The uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Prepare our hearts, O Lord, for this holy season of reflection and anticipation.
Make straight our paths, lift up our hearts, and help us to see Your glory revealed. Amen. ~adapted from Isaiah 40:3-5

Invocation and Lord’s Prayer: Davis Porterfield

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.

Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope
The Leach Family

This day we light the candle of hope. In a world so often filled with despair, we cling to the hope of our Savior, who makes a way out of no way and creates a highway in the desert. Light Your hope in our hearts so we may speak with our lips and our lives: “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him.

*Hymn of Praise: No. 245
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
v. 1& 2

**Our Future: Rachael Gibson

Carol of Hope
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Advent Prayer of Hope: Rev. DaVontaé Edwards

*Doxology
(Tune: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)

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. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Pastoral Prayer: Rev. Alicia Porterfield

Choral Anthem
“There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob”

There shall a star come out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel, with might destroying princes and cities.How bright the star of morning gleams, so Jesus sheddeth glorious beams of light and consolation.Thy word, O Lord, radiance darting, truth imparting, gives salvation;Thine be praise and adoration!

Sermon: “A Way Out of No Way”

*Hymn of Response: No. 122
“Glorious Is Thy Name”
v. 1, 3, 4

Benediction: Rev. Eric S. Porterfield

Postlude: Jon Brannon