Worship Service
Third Sunday of Advent
Blue Christmas Service
December 13, 2020
Note: The prelude begins 15 minutes into the video and the audio file
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – Give Me Jesus Worship & Song # 3140
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG – Immanuel
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of Jesus Christ
John 1:4-5
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Romans 8:31-39
If God is for us, who is against us? God didn’t spare God’s own Son but gave Him up for us all. Won’t God also freely give us all things with Him?
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect people? It is God who acquits them. Who is going to convict them? It is Christ Jesus who died, even more, who was raised, and who also is at God’s right side. It is Christ Jesus who also pleads our case for us.
Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOOD NEWS Jesus Christ, the Light in Total Darkness
SONG – Love Came Down at Christmas UM Hymnal # 242
THE HOLY COMMUNION
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God wants our love more than God wants our offerings; God cares about our hearts not the amounts of our offerings. (Hosea 6:6).
All: As we count all the blessings God has already given to us, we cheerfully give our offerings to God, the Provider, with grateful hearts. Amen! (2 Corinthians 9:7).
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT in the Power of the Holy Spirit
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING AND SENDING
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you, my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.