God’s Presence Brings LIfe - “Word Made Flesh”
Fourth Sunday of Advent
*Please stand in body or in spirit. Congregational responses are in bold and preceded by "All"
GATHERING
Welcome and Announcements
Invitation and Sharing of Peace
Peace be with you. And also with you.
Prelude ABlessed Be Your Name Rejuvenate
Lighting of the Altar Candles
Call to Worship (Clergy Stuff)
LEADER: God’s Word became flesh and lived among us.
ALL: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it!
LEADER: We have seen the glory of God, full of grace and truth.
ALL: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it!
Advent Candle Lighting (Clergy Stuff)
LEADER: John wrote of the Word made flesh. Jesus, you are that Word, who lived among us as a human being.
ALL: We light the first candle in expectation of your coming. We light the second candle in hope of new life in you. We light the third candle in anticipation of your fulfillment of God’s word. We light the fourth candle in wonder at your choice to become one of us.
Opening Prayer (Clergy Stuff)
All: God of light and life, You sent us your Word so that we might know you fully and see your glory, full of grace and truth. Hold us close as we join all of creation in singing a new song to you, for you continue to do marvelous things. Amen.
*Opening Song He Came Down (TFWS 2085}
He came down
that we may have love;
he came down
that we may have love;
he came down
that we may have love,
Hallelujah forevermore.
Leader: Why did he come?
He came down
that we may have peace;
he came down
that we may have peace;
he came down
that we may have peace,
Hallelujah forevermore.
Leader: Why did he come?
He came down
that we may have joy;
he came down
that we may have joy;
he came down
that we may have joy,
Hallelujah forevermore.
LISTENING
Scripture Reading John 1:1-18
This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Message for All Ages
Sermon “Word Made Flesh” Rev. DV Yost
RESPONDING
*Sermon Song O Word of God Incarnate (UMH 598)
- O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged,
unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky:
we praise you for
the radiance that
from the hallowed page,
a lantern to our footsteps,
shines on from age to age. - The church from you,
our Savior,
received the gift divine,
and still that light is lifted
o’er all the earth to shine.
It is the sacred vessel where
gems of truth are stored;
it is the heaven-drawn picture
of Christ, the living Word. - The Scripture is a banner
before God’s host unfurled;
it is a shining beacon
above the darkling world.
It is the chart
and compass that
o’er life’s surging tide,
mid mists and rocks
and quicksands,
to you, O Christ, will guide. - O make your church,
dear Savior,
a lamp of purest gold,
to bear before the nations
your true light as of old.
O teach your wandering
pilgrims by
this their path to trace,
till, clouds and
darkness ended,
they see you face to face.
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Prayers of the People |
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God who was, and is, and is to come, we lift our prayers to you.
*The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken)
All: 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
Offertory Craig Nickerson, Organist
*Offering Response Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH 94)
Prayer of Dedication (Clergy Stuff)
All: You create us new each day, God. You redeem us. You sustain us. Because of you, we come to worship ready to offer so much—our time, our energy, our ideas, our inspirations, and our resources. Bless all of these things as we strive to use them well, following your example of giving, embodied. In Jesus name. Amen.
SENDING
*Closing Song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 1-4) (UMH 211 )
1. O come, O come,
Emmanuel,
and ransom
captive Israel,
that mourns in
lowly exile here
until the Son
of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.
2. O come, thou wisdom
from on high,
and order all things
far and nigh;
to us the path of
knowledge show
and cause us in her
ways to go.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.
3. O come, O come,
great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once
gave the law
in cloud and majesty
and awe.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.
4. O come, thou Root
of Jesse’s tree,
an ensign of
thy people be;
before thee rulers
silent fall;
all peoples on thy
mercy call.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.
*Benediction
Benediction Response
Postlude Craig Nickerson, Organist
Next Week
Encountering the Messiah - "A Voice in the Wilderness"
December 28, John 1:19-34
Announcements
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CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE
6:45 PM Concert
7 PM Candlelight Service - BACKPACK BUDDIES:
December’s food items are Individual Servings of Instant Oatmeal, and dry cereal or any item listed on the shopping list. If you find it difficult to shop, you may send a monetary donation to the church or place your donation in the offering plate on any Sunday. Please mark your gift, “Backpack Buddies”. -
THRIFT STORE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
We will be closed from December 23 through January 10, 2026. The store will reopen for donations on Tuesday, January 13, and for shopping on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
This Week at Arnolia
- Tuesday, December 23: 12 Noon Pastor's Study
- Tuesday, December 23: 6:30 PM Bible Study
- Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve - 6:45 PM Concert, 7 PM Candlelight Service
- Thursday, December 25 Merry Christmas
- Sunday, December 28: 10 AM Worship Service
- While our staff enjoys some time with their family, the church office will close from December 24 through January 4. Voicemail will be checked daily.
Copyrights
Blessed be Your Name by Beth Redman, Matt Redman, © 2002 Thankyou Music Ltd. - Rejuvenate - CCLI 3798438
Used by Permission. CCLI Church Copyright License Number: 1684333 and Streaming License Number: 20155039.
He Came Down - TFWS 2085 – Public Domain
O Word of God Incarnate - UMH 598 – Public Domain
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel -verses 1-4 - UMH 211 – Public Domain
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