9:30am Prelude - “Angels We Have Heard on High” - Andrea Mumm, harp Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Opening Song - “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” - Makenzie Loudermilt Time of Greeting Children’s Time Song - “Noel” Reflection on Hope Special - “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Sermon - “Streams in the Desert” The Characters Of Christmas: Today’s Characters are the . In Isaiah’s vision, the desert represents the world without God. Here is how the world will change with the coming of Jesus: The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and . Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. —Isaiah 35:1-2a Where does your fear need to be replaced by strength? Then will the eyes of the blind be and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. —Isaiah 35:5-7a How does the world change with Jesus, according to Isaiah? Offering and Prayer - Rev. Dana Seiler Communion Song - “Do You Hear What I Hear” Benediction Postlude - “Allegro” ( G. F. Handel) 11:00am Prelude - “Angels We Have Heard on High” - Andrea Mumm, harp Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Lighting the Advent Candles - The Unity Session Call to Worship - Rev. Dana Seiler Leader: Christ, God’s gift to the world, shall come: People: Those who feel despair will know hope. Leader: Those who are oppressed will know freedom. People: Those who are lonely will know love. Leader: Those who are suffering will know inner peace. People: Let us rejoice today with hearts full of hope! Hymn - “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” - #2 - 2 Verses Prayer of Confession: God of Promise, there are times when we lose our hope. The world is a hard place to live, and it teaches us many harsh lessons. There are times when we do not believe that what lies before us could be anything close to beautiful. We don’t remember Your promises to provide us with mercy and strength and love. Help us to be people of hope, who live in the light of Christmas with the certainty that the darkness will not overcome us, in the name of Jesus, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace Reflection on Hope Anthem - “My Lord, He is A-Coming Soon” (Drennan) - Unity Choir Sermon - “Streams in the Desert” - Rev. David Bonnema The Characters Of Christmas: Today’s Characters are the . In Isaiah’s vision, the desert represents the world without God. Here is how the world will change with the coming of Jesus: The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and . Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. —Isaiah 35:1-2a Where does your fear need to be replaced by strength? Then will the eyes of the blind be and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. —Isaiah 35:5-7a How does the world change with Jesus, according to Isaiah? Anthem - “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” - Andrea Mumm Offering and Prayer of Thanksgiving Doxology - “Rejoice, Rejoice” - #2 Chorus Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Anthem - “Christmas Communion Song” (Callaway) - Unity Choir 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 - “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” - #9 - 3 Verses Benediction Postlude - “Allegro from Harp Concerto in Bb Major” (G. F. Handel)