9:30am Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Lighting the Advent Candles - Chris Easterling Opening Song - “Unspeakable Joy” - Karla Causey Time of Greeting Children’s Time Song - “Angels We Have Heard on High” A Time of Celebration Song - “The Joy” Sermon - “An Unfinished Mural” What will be different about the world in 20 years? Vision is a picture of the future. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. —1 Peter 1:8-9 Inexpressible (ἀνεκλάλητος): too full to articulate, a joy that human vocabulary How does the mural illustration relate to the prophets of the Old Testament? It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but , when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. —1 Peter 1:12 With God leading, the best is not behind us. It is ahead. Offering and Prayer - Rev. Dana Seiler Song - “Joy to the World” Benediction 11:00am Prelude - “In the Bleak Midwinter” - Jeff Perks Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Lighting the Advent Candles - Chris Easterling Call to Worship - Rev. Dana Seiler Leader: Listen! All creation rejoices with singing! People: Let our ears be opened to the sounds of Christmas. Leader: There is joy in the hearts of those who await the holy child. People: Let us receive the joy that is given to us. Leader: Wonders and miracles are happening all around us. People: Let us experience the magic of the season as we worship today. Hymn - “Joy to the World” - #40 - Verses 1, 2, 4 Prayer of Confession: Joyful God, we come to you today asking for our hearts to be stirred. We spend so much time planning, worrying, hoping, praying, and wishing that we forget to take time to sit back and enjoy the season. Help us to be filled today with the joy that comes with Christmas, to enjoy time together with our family and friends, and to revel in the beauty and warmth of this Christmas, where we celebrate the entry of joy into our world in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace A Time to Celebrate Anthem - “While the Sheep Watched” - Unity Choir Sermon - “An Unfinished Mural” - Rev. David Bonnema What will be different about the world in 20 years? Vision is a picture of the future. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. —1 Peter 1:8-9 Inexpressible (ἀνεκλάλητος): too full to articulate, a joy that human vocabulary How does the mural illustration relate to the prophets of the Old Testament? It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but , when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. —1 Peter 1:12 With God leading, the best is not behind us. It is ahead. Anthem - “Joy in the Morning” - Unity Choir Offering and 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, 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. Hymn - “Angels We Have Heard on High” - #23 - 3 Verses Benediction Postlude - “Rejoice/Joy to the World” - Jeff Perks