Order of Worship
ORDER OF WORSHIP
December 14, 2025
Continuing God’s Story Together
“Let this little message be but a reminder,
and I will continue with the story.”
2 Maccabees 6:17
Worship Participants
Deacon: Michelle Reynolds
Welcomers: Midge Horn, Merry Sue Ahlgren
Reader: Gina Poole
Announcer: Merry Sue Ahlgren
Third Sunday of Advent
Prelude
Welcome Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Opening Song Every Moment Emmanuel
Opening Prayer (unison) Deacon
God of Joy,
shine your light into our lives this day.
Open our hearts to your presence,
and help us to trust the story you are still writing in us and in our world.
Fill us with the joy that comes from your promise of hope,
that we may worship you with grateful and open spirits.
Amen.
Song I’ve Got the Joy
Advent Wreath Lighting ~ Joy
One: Today we light the candle of Joy.
Advent reminds us that God’s story is still unfolding,
and that we are invited to take our place within it.
All: We rejoice that God works through ordinary lives—
including ours.
One: Like Mary, whose joy rose from trusting God’s promise,
we open our hearts to the story God is writing today.
All: May this light remind us that joy grows whenever we say “yes” to God’s work in the world. Amen
Sung Response
Every moment, Emmanuel
Every heartbreak, Emmanuel
Every nightfall, Emmanuel
God is still speaking, God is still here
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSVUE) Gina Poole
Today’s reading is from Matthew 1:18-25:
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
May God bless this reading and our understanding.
God’s Stories Rev. Jennie Valentine
Message for All Ages Rev. Jennie Valentine
Sermon Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Song Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Hymn #150
Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Our Father/Mother/Creator,
who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen
Offering
Invitation
Song Emmanuel, Emmanuel Hymn #134
Dedication
Send Forth Song Joy to the World (unspeakable Joy)
Benediction Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Announcements
Postlude