(Image: “The Light of the World”, Wesley, Frank 1923-2002)
©Order of Worship for Sunday December 28, 2025
A Service of Lessons and Carols
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)
The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am
Prelude:…………………………Greg
Coming of the Light:………………………………………
Greeting:………………………………………………….Pastor Liz
Call to Worship:……………………………………………………
For you who are filled to the brim with happiness,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.
For you who are mourning the loss of family and friends,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.
For you who feel like you are tripping about in darkness,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.
For you who rest in gratitude and contentment,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.
For you who feel the ache of loneliness,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.
For you who are surrounded by unlikely yet beautiful companionship,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.
Come, let us worship the birth of our Savior!
Come, let us worship God who came to dwell among us!
Carol: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211
Invocation:…………………………………………….Pastor Liz
The Lord’s Prayer
First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-8……………………
To God’s people in exile in a faraway land,
The prophet Isaiah announces good news:
God is coming back, and bringing the exiles home!
Carol: “Prepare the Way of the Lord” #207 UMH
Second Lesson: Jeremiah 23:5-6
The prophet Jeremiah offers hope for a righteous branch,
a just king who is yet to come.
Carol: “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” #204 UMH
Third Lesson: Zechariah 9:6-9
To a nation grown weary of war and weapons,
God promises a king who will establish a reign of peace.
Carol: “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Fourth Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-6
The prophet Isaiah announces the renewal
Both of the land of God’s people
On the coming day of redemption.
Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:26-35, 38
The Angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary
That she will give birth to a ruler whose reign shall never end.
Carol: “What Child is This” #219 UMH
Sixth Lesson:Luke 2:1-7………………………….…………….
Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes Jesus is born.
Carol: “Away in a Manger”#217 UMH
Seventh Lesson: Luke: 2:8-20………………………..
Announcement to the shepherds.
Carol: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” #229
Eighth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11……………….………………….
The Wise Men follow a star to find the child Jesus,
King of the Jews.
Carol: “De Tierra Lejana Venimos” #243 UMH v. 1,2
Words: Trad. Puerto Rican carol Music: Trad Puerto Rican carol
by permission of Walton Music Corp.
1. From a distant home the Savior we come seeking,
using as our guide the star so brightly beaming.
Lovely eastern star that tells us of God’s morning,
heaven’s wondrous light, O never cease thy shining!
2. Glowing gold I bring the newborn babe so holy,
using as our guide the star so brightly beaming.
Lovely eastern star that tells us God’s morning,
heaven’s wondrous light, O never cease the shining!
Ninth Lesson: John 1:1-14
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
Carol: “Joy to the World #246 UMH”
Dismissal with Blessing:
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Sunday December 28th Worship Service