(Image: “Blue Madonna” Wesley, Frank 1923-2002)
©Order of Worship for Sunday December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent
A Weary World Rejoices
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………..“Worship the King”……………Greg D.
Words and Music: Billy Smiley and Bull George © 1983 Pragon Music Corp.
Coming of the Light:
Greetings:…………………………………………………Pastor Liz
Announcements:………………………………………….Lorri B.
Call to Worship:…………………………………….Elizabeth B.
How does a weary world rejoice?
We sing songs of hope.
We allow hope to change us, to strengthen us.
We tell the stories of what could be.
We listen for God’s word.
We resist the temptation to give up or give in.
We remember Mary’s song.
We gather for worship.
We hope.
We hope.
Against all odds, we hope.
Friends, this is the day that the Lord is still making.
Let us worship holy God.
Opening Prayer:…………………………………….Elizabeth B.
God of promise,
you have given us a sign of your love
through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
who was promised from ages past.
We believe as Joseph did
the message of your presence
whispered by an angel,
and offer our prayers for your world,
confident of your care and mercy for all creation. Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Candle:……………Grimes Family
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Our God near at hand
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.”
Reader 1: Love comes quietly, in dreams that change everything, in courage that trusts your promise.
Reader 2: In a weary world, your love takes flesh- Emmanuel, God with us.
Reader 1: We light this candle as a sign of love- love that lifts burdens and makes all things new.
Reader 2: Love that cannot be contained, even by our weariness.
God of love, meet us in our weariness.
Dwell with us, and teach us to love as you love.
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
Light the fourth candle-the Candle of Love.
Opening Hymns:“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #240 UMH
Words by Charles Wesley, 1739
Music by Felix Mendelssohn, 1840; arranged by William H. Cummings
1. Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’ angelic host proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’
Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!’
2. Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!’
3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!’
“Love Came Down at Christmas” #242 UMH
Words: Christina G. Rosetti, 1885 Music: Trad. Irish Melody
1. Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
2. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine;
Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
3. Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine;
Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
Passing of the Peace:……………………………….Pastor Liz
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:…….“Glory Be to the Father”…….#71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, to
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Giving of our Tithes and Offerings:…………….Pastor Liz
AFUMC Giving Link: https://afumc.com/give/
Offertory:………“Some Children See Him”………….Rhonda B.
Music: Alfred Burt Words: Wihla Hutson © 1954, 1957 Hollis Music, Inc.
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #94 UMH
Adapted © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674, adapted by Gilbert Vieira, 1978
Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer After Receiving:………………………………Pastor Liz
The Prayers of the People:………………………….Pastor Liz
Anthem:………….. “Gesu Bambino”……………..Rhonda B.
Words and Music: Pietro Yon © 1917 J. Fischer and Bro. Copyright renewed
Impromptu Nativity
Closing Hymn: “He Is Born” #228 UMH
Words: Trad. 19th cent. French carol; trans. Anon.
Music: 18th cent. French carol; harm. By Carlton R. Young, 1988
Harm. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Refrain
He is born, the holy Child, play the oboe and
bagpipes merrily! He is born, the holy Child,
sing we all of the Savior mild.
1. Thru long ages of the past, prophets have
foretold his coming; thru long ages of the past,
now the time has come at last!
Refrain
He is born, the holy Child, play the oboe and
bagpipes merrily! He is born, the holy Child,
sing we all of the Savior mild.
2. O how lovely, O how pure is this perfect child of
heaven; O how lovely, O how pure, gracious
gift to human kind!
Refrain
He is born, the holy Child, play the oboe and
bagpipes merrily! He is born, the holy Child,
sing we all of the Savior mild.
3. Jesus, Lord of all the world, coming as a child
among us, Jesus, of all the world, grant to
us thy heavenly peace.
Refrain
He is born, the holy Child, play the oboe and
bagpipes merrily! He is born, the holy Child,
sing we all of the Savior mild.
Dismissal with Blessing:…………………………..Pastor Liz
Postlude:………………………………………………………..Greg D.
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Sunday December 21st Worship Service