Sulphur Grove Church
GREETING
L: I’m all in for Jesus! Is the church all in for Jesus?
C: SULPHUR GROVE IS ALL IN FOR JESUS!
L: Saints are you all in for Jesus?
C: I’M ALL IN FOR JESUS!
L: Because we are all in for Jesus we know that...
C: GROWING, THRIVING CHURCHES SAY YES TO THINGS THAT DECLINING CHURCHES SAY NO TO. (Bishop Robert Schnase)
L: Because we are a church that is committed to...
C: GROWING DISCIPLES, LIVING AND SHARING GOD’S LOVE.
THE PEACE
L: May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!
C: AND ALSO WITH YOU!
PRELUDE | Bryon Dobbs - Piano
“Emmanuel comes (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel/Emmanuel)”
by Thomas Helmore/Bob McGee, arr. by Mark Hayes
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Come, all who have known gloom and anguish. Come, all who have walked amid terrors of the night.
C: Sometimes we felt oppressed and forsaken. Our losses seem greater than we can bear.
L: God is our light and our salvation. God is our stronghold; we need not fear.
C: Enemies lose their power when we look up to God. We come now seeking God’s face.
L: Come, behold the beauty of our God. Come to find shelter in a day of trouble.
C: We will sing and make melody to God. We will dare to lift our shouts of joy.
HYMN
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" #196
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
UNISON PRAYER
Out of deep shadows, we are attracted to Your brightness, glorious God. From the trauma of life’s battles, we are drawn to the peace You alone can provide. Apart from our lack of faith and worldly passions, You invite us to center our lives in You. Come, Holy One, to reign among us. Bring the joy we cannot know apart from You. Lead us in the ways of justice and righteousness that You intend. Establish among us Your marvelous works that we might declare them to a waiting world. Amen.
HYMN (8:30)
"Emmanuel, Emmanuel" #204
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel
God with us
Revealed in us
His name is called Emmanuel
ANTHEM | Chancel Choir
“Let Your Light Shine!”
by Craig Courtney
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Breakthrough Prayer:
Shine on us today, gracious God, for we need the light and salvation You offer. Come to each one gathered here, and to all who are part of this community of faith. Come to Huber Heights, our neighboring communities, and the world, to still the quarrels and dissolve the darkness that surrounds us. Come with Good News for everyone, O God! Amen.
Sharing our Prayer Requests
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
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.
Response
OFFERTORY | Emily Lovell, Peter Veley - Duet
“Long-Awaited One”
Nicole Elsey, arr. by Douglas Nolan
The Doxology #94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, The source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer of Dedication
Isaiah 9:1-7 NRSV
CHILDREN'S MOMENT (10:45)
MESSAGE | Pastor Bonnie
In the Darkness of Despair, there is “The Light of Hope”
RESPONSE
"O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright" #247
1. O Morning Star, how fair and bright
thou beamest forth in truth and light,
O Sovereign meek and lowly!
Thou Root of Jesse, David's Son,
my Lord and Master, thou hast won
my heart to serve thee solely!
Thou art holy,
fair and glorious, all-victorious,
rich in blessing,
rule and might o'er all possessing.
2. Thou heavenly Brightness! Light divine!
O deep within my heart now shine,
and make thee there an altar!
Fill me with joy and strength to be
thy member, ever joined to thee
in love that cannot falter;
toward thee longing
doth possess me; turn and bless me;
here in sadness
eye and heart long for thy gladness!
3 What joy to know, when life is past,
the Lord we love is first and last,
the end and the beginning!
He will one day, O glorious grace,
transport us to that happy place
beyond all tears and sinning!
Amen! Amen!
Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of gladness,
we are yearning
for the day of your returning.
SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE | Sonnie Clifton - Organ
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
(Tune “Hymn to Joy” by Ludwig von Beethoven) - by Lani Smith