December 20th Worship Service
| The Order of Worship: Fourth Sunday of Advent |
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| Welcome |
| Prelude: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Arr. Brahms |
| The Bells Call Us to Worship |
| A Word About Today's Music Selections |
| Hymn Medley: |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| What Child is This |
| It Came Upon a Midnight CLear |
| Call To Worship |
| Lighting The Advent Candle of Peace |
| Musical Response: One Candle Is Lit |
| Scripture Reading: Matthew 6: 25-33 |
| A Message to Children |
| Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer |
| Worship in Music: |
| Do You Hear What I Hear |
| O Holy Night |
| Sermon: Matthew and Luke Tell Stories of Peace |
| Benediction |
| Benediction Response |
| Postlude: Postlude on "Gloria" - Arr. Payne |
Candle Lighters: Karl, Carrie, Johann, and Anders
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
During Advent we are concluding our study of the synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke). The word “synoptic” means these three gospels share a common perspective. We have noticed the way Matthew and Luke rely heavily on the earliest gospel, Mark, to tell their stories. Matthew and Luke also include stories they share in common but do not appear in Mark. This source is referred to by Biblical scholars as “Q”. “Q” is the first letter for the German word for source. “Q” is a source that compiled the sayings of Jesus. Today’s passage in Matthew is also found in Luke 12:22-31. In each case, disciples are being encouraged to prioritize faith in God. Jesus reminds us to find evidence for God’s providential care in nature and be inspired to use our gifts with beauty and generosity. The Creator has ensured that the needs of creation will be met, including ours. Reliance on a faithful God eases worry and makes space for peace and contentment to be the building blocks of beloved community.
Questions for Reflection:
How can our Christmas celebration reflect needs more than wants?
How does worry diminish your life? How does trust in God’s providence add to your life?
Righteousness and justice are linked ideas in the Bible. Right relationships result in just actions. Just actions are more than fair, they provide what is needed for each one. What kind of right relationships and just actions might grow from this teaching of Jesus?
Both Audio as well as Video Recordings are available below.
Audio Recordings
Video Recordings
