Dec. 13, 2020 Virtual Worship

The Presbyterian Church, 142 N. 4th St., Coshocton, OH 43812

Third Sunday in Advent

Pastor Karen Crawford

Karen Yost and Jay Gill, Liturgists and Advent Candle Lighters

Prelude: Advent Procession…arranged, Phil Lehenbauer

Greeting/Announcements with Pastor Karen

Hymn: Prepare the Way of the Lord….arranged by Michael Burkhardt

Lighting the Advent Wreath (Jay Gill and Karen Yost)

Light one candle for joy.

Hymn: Prepare the Way of the Lord….arranged by Michael Burkhardt

Opening Sentences and Gathering Prayer: Jay Gill

We gather in this holy place to bear witness to the Light.

The love of God shines upon us and reveals the truth of God’s mercy.

We gather in this holy place to bear witness to the Truth.

The truth of our gospel is good news for the oppressed and a balm for the brokenhearted.

Hymn: 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel …. arranged, John Weaver

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.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who ordered all thing mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Call to Confession/Prayer of Confession/Assurance of Pardon with Pastor

Your love is good news for the oppressed, O Lord, and you bind up the brokenhearted. Forgive us, O God, when we think that your good news is only for us. Forgive us, O God, when we twist your gospel into something that fits comfortably into our lives. By your light, let us see you leading us beyond ourselves and into the world you love. By your grace, forgive us, and free us to try again. Amen.

Time with Children and Youth: Lighthouses!

Prayer for Illumination

Readings: Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God!

Solo: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Jesus, the Light of the World)

Charles Wesley and George D. Elderkin, arr. Evelyn Simpson-Curenton

Reading: John 1:6–8, 19–28 with Pastor Karen

Heaven and earth will pass away but the word of the Lord stands forever.

Thanks be to God.  

Message:        Light One Candle for Joy

Hymn: 96 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry…..Charles Coffin

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announce that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings glad &dings of the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every life from sin; make straight the way for God within,
and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.

We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward;
without your grace we waste away life flowers that wither and decay.

Stretch forth your hand; our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more.
O let your face upon us shine and fill the world with love divine.

Prayer of Intercession/Lord’s Prayer/Invitation to the Offering

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.

Offertory: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry….. arranged, Gilbert M. Martin

Prayer of Dedication

God Most High, receive the gifts of our lives as an offering of gratitude for your grace. Overshadow us with your Holy Spirit and let it be with us according to your word, for nothing is impossible with you. Amen.

Hymn: 744 Arise, Your Light Is Come! Ruth Duck

Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.

Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captives’ liberty, good tidings to the poor.

Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.

Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing; God’s power will make us strong.

Charge/Benediction

Postlude: Noel, Noel, Now Sing a Saviour’s Birth … Arr. Olive Nelson Russell