Metropolitan United Church London, Ontario, Canada

Organ PreludeThe Wexford Carol – Norberto Guinaldo

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit

be with you.

All:  And also with you.

Processional Hymn 

Hymn – VU#76 – See Amid the Winter’s Snow – See Amid…

Prayer

Anthem:  Jubilate Bells – Medley – That Christmas Night – Kevin McChesney

Circle Time & Fourth Advent Candle (Love)

Nb. Clue for children’s programScripture Reading:Micah 5:2-5a or Ps. 130

Long before Jesus, God spoke through his prophet, Micah, and pointed to a Messiah.

2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
  who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
  one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
  from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
  when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
  to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
  in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
  to the ends of the earth;
5 and he shall be the one of peace.

The Advent Candle

Leader:  On the fourth Sunday in Advent we light four candles. We have already lit the candles of hope, peace, and joy.

At a time when God’s people need love, we light the fourth candle as a symbol of the love that God’s coming brings to the world. John reminds in his Gospel, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” As we praise God, this morning, let us pray that the love of the Christ child would brighten our lives and our living.

All:  God who has come to us in Jesus Christ.  On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we thank you for the gift of love that illumines the whole world. As we share your love and care for others, may we be blessed with the spiritual gifts of your Holy Spirit.

Light the fourth Advent candle (purple)

All Singing:A Candle Is Burning (v.4)VU#6Away in a Manger

A candle is burning, a candle of love

A candle to point us to heaven above.

A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth,

For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.

Anthem: O Little Town of Bethlehem – Bert Vander Hoek

Responsive PsalmPsalm 80:1-7, 18-19VU#794 (Part 1)

Offertory Prayer

This is our opportunity to invest in God’s Mission

O Lord, giver of life and source of freedom

We know that all we have received is from your hand.

You call us to be stewards of your abundance,

the caretakers of all you have entrusted to us

Help us to always use your gifts wisely

and teach us to share them generously.

May our faithful stewardships bear witness

to the love of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Amen.

Doxology (VU#541)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Carol – VU#49 - No Crowded Eastern Street - Heritage

Prayers of The People & Lord’s Prayer

… 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever, and ever.   Amen.

Anthem - Welcome Yule – Arthur Wills

The ScripturesSt. Matthew 1:18-25

“And you are to give him the name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  Mt. 1: 21

SermonO Little Town of BethlehemRev. Dr. David McMasterCarol – VU#64 - O Little Town of Bethlehem” – St. Louis

Commissioning & Benediction

Choral Response (all)

A Nativity Prayer (Elata)HWC#126

O holy child of Bethlehem,

descend to us we pray,

cast out our sin, and enter in,

be born in us today.

Merry Christmas

Postlude: Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson