9:30am Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Opening Song - “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Advent Candlelighting- Chris Easterling Opening Song - “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Time of Greeting Children’s Message Sermon - “A Sign Fulfilled” - Rev. David Bonnema When you feel fearful, what does your body do? King Ahaz shakes in his fear of the two allied countries who are nearing attack. Here is God’s message to him: “Be careful, keep and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood.” —Isaiah 7:4 And later… “If you do not stand in your faith, you will not stand at all.’” —Isaiah 7:9 Describe an experience when your faith has been put to the test. God decides to give Ahaz a sign of God’s faithfulness. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him .“ —Isaiah 7:14 Jesus fulfills this sign. We’ve given Jesus the title of Immanuel because in him, God is with us. Song - “God is With Us” Offering - Leslie Matz Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer Closing Song - “Emmanuel” Benediction 11:00am Prelude Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Lighting the Advent Candle - Chris Easterling as Joseph Call to Worship - Leslie Matz Leader: Welcome to Advent, beloved children of God! People: For all of our lives, God has and continues to love us. Leader: God is preparing a special gift of love for us in this season. People: We await the coming of light and love through the Christ Child. Leader: Rejoice! You are loved by God, now and forever. People: As children of God, we will spread this love throughout the world. Hymn - “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” - #9 Prayer of Confession: God of Love, as we embark on another season of advent, we admit that we are weary. We are overwhelmed by the season ahead with all of its shopping, decorating, cooking, and celebrations. We have lost the focus of the season among the ribbons and wrapping paper. Help us to keep our hearts turned toward the Christ Child as we look forward to the coming of peace and light into the world at Christmas. It is in the name of that Christ Child that we bring our prayers to you today, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace Children’s Message Anthem - “An Advent Invitation” by Nolan - Unity Choir Sermon - “A Sign Fulfilled” - Rev. David Bonnema When you feel fearful, what does your body do? King Ahaz shakes in his fear of the two allied countries who are nearing attack. Here is God’s message to him: “Be careful, keep and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood.” —Isaiah 7:4 And later… “If you do not stand in your faith, you will not stand at all.’” —Isaiah 7:9 Describe an experience when your faith has been put to the test. God decides to give Ahaz a sign of God’s faithfulness. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him .“ —Isaiah 7:14 Jesus fulfills this sign. We’ve given Jesus the title of Immanuel because in him, God is with us. Anthem - “Come Emmanuel” by Paris - Unity Choir Offering, Prayer of Thanksgiving, and the Lord’s Prayer Doxology Affirmation of Faith by Rev. Stephen M. Fearing: We believe that God has come to us as a little child, making our weakness his strength, securing our salvation by becoming one of us, blessing us with unending love, filling our hearts with joy to be shared with one another. We believe that God has birthed righteousness into the world, giving us a law that will be written upon our hearts, making the cause of the oppressed the highest priority, declaring an everlasting reign of peace, defeating the power of pain and suffering. We believe that God calls us to participate in this reality of love, inviting us to proclaim Christ’s resurrection to others, transforming us as disciples to go out into the world, sending us forth to announce his kingdom of peace and comfort, challenging us to see everyone as nothing less than beloved children. This we believe. Closing Hymn - “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” - #2 Benediction Postlude