9:30am Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Lighting the Advent Candle - The Leith Family Opening Song - “O Little Town of Bethlehem” - Abby Kiesler Time of Greeting Children’s Message Songs - “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” and “Noel” Sermon - “A Christmas Mindset” Christmas is about a choice. God made the choice to be born as a child. The Word became and made his dwelling among us. —John 1:14 Jesus’ choice provides an example of how we should live. In your relationships with one another, have the same as Christ Jesus. —Philippians 2:5 A mindset is a mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider with God something to be used to his own advantage. —Philippians 2:6 Rather, he emptied himself by taking the very nature of a , being made in human likeness. —Philippians 2:7 This Christmas season, embrace the same mindset of Jesus. Offering and Prayer - Rev. Dana Seiler Communion Closing Song - “O Come O Come Emmanuel” Benediction 11:00am Prelude - “Ring in Exaltation” - Wagner - Unity Handbells Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Lighting the Advent Candle - The Leith Family Call to Worship - Rev. Dana Seiler Leader: Welcome to worship this Advent season. People: As the days grow longer in darkness, we come to seek God’s light. Leader: As the temperatures dip, we gather in the warmth of God’s presence. People: As the earth struggles in turmoil, we long for God’s peace. Leader: As beloved children of God, we gather today in worship. People: Come, let us worship the Lord! Hymn - “Angels from the Realms of Glory” - Verses 1, 2, 4 #22 Prayer of Confession Lord of Peace, we all want peace on earth, but we don’t live like it. We battle with our co-workers for the next promotion, or with our friends to be the team captain. We forget that peace isn’t something that someone else does far away from here, but something that only we can do within ourselves. Give us the strength to live out Your call for peace in our world. Forgive us when we exclude others and forget to offer grace. Remind us of Christ’s message of peace, and let it rule in our lives each day, as we pray in Christ’s holy name, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace Anthem - “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” - Moklebust Sermon - “A Christmas Mindset” - Rev. David Bonnema Christmas is about a choice. God made the choice to be born as a child. The Word became and made his dwelling among us. —John 1:14 Jesus’ choice provides an example of how we should live. In your relationships with one another, have the same as Christ Jesus. —Philippians 2:5 A mindset is a mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider with God something to be used to his own advantage. —Philippians 2:6 Rather, he emptied himself by taking the very nature of a , being made in human likeness. —Philippians 2:7 This Christmas season, embrace the same mindset of Jesus. Anthem - “Every Valley Shall Rise” Burroughs - Unity Choir Offering and Prayer Doxology - “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper 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, and 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 - “Let There Be Peace on Earth" Benediction Postlude