Shattering the Illusion

Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason.
 
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.

Gathering  Around  the  Word
Prelude 
Introit                                       **Mary Had A Baby**                                          Choir                                      
ANNOUNCEMENTS     
                                                                               
CALL TO WORSHIP    
Leader: A voice in the dark, an image in a dream, a bright light in a clear sky --
People: Wonders and signs that turn our hearts toward God,
Leader: Holy mysteries that cause our hearts to sing,
People: Soul-felt grace that radiates through our lives.
Leader: Young and old alike feel the awesome presence of God and join with Mary in proclaiming the greatness of God.
People: Our hearts rejoice and our souls magnify the One who visits us again and again.

INVOCATION                                                   Rev. Mason
HYMN                                The Angel Gabriel   (see insert)

CALL TO CONFESSION
Let us confess our sins before a loving and creative God:
 
 PRAYER OF CONFESSION               (UNISON)
O Holy God of Promise, we so often place our trust in the things we can see, touch and easily believe. But you did not ask us to believe what is easy. You have asked us to believe what is true! Forgive us, Holy One, when we doubt the ways you work. Forgive us when we find it hard to believe an ancient story. Forgive us when we question how you chose to enter the world, born as one of us. Forgive our lack of faith and belief in ways that seem so impossible to believe. Help us to look in faith, open our hearts, and set aside our doubts that you sent your Son, born of a virgin — the One who has come to set us all free. We offer these prayers in the name of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.
*Time of silent prayer.
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus came to lift up the lowly, to forgive us through his grace and mercy. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.  AMEN 
*Passing the Peace
L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 
P: And also, with you. 
    
*Response – Gloria Patri
  
CHILDREN’S CHAT 
Anthem                                  **Come On, Ring Those Bells                           Choir

                    The Word of God

Prayer for Illumination
Scripture reading                                                                               LUKE 1: 39-56

Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

L: The Word of the Lord
P: Thanks be to God ! 

Sermon                “SHATTERING THE ILLUSION”   
       
Responding to the Word

HYMN                                        What Child is This                          180      
*Apostles Creed (found inside the back cover of the hymnal) 

Presentation of our tithes and offering

Offertory                               **Mary’s Little Boy Child**                               Choir                                                  
Doxology (Hymnal page 382)
Prayer of dedication

Concerns and Celebrations     ​

​BIRTHDAYS   John O’Hara, Cris Miller

ANNIVERSARIES  Mike and Debbie Durila

JOYS AND CONCERNS - Please keep Billie Wilson in your prayers as she was admitted to the
Washington Hospital on Monday. She was able to come home Thursday. John West is having
hernia surgery on Wednesday, 12/22.

SYMPATHY To the Family of William (Billie) Tamulinas
To the Family of Eileen Miller
To the Family of Bob Crowe
To the Family Lois Cowden

Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, June and
Keith McGill, Glenn Miles, Roger Riggs, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Nellie and Frank
Baker, Michael Durila Sr., Justin Hagon, Tom Westfall, Mary Ann Durila, Elaine Belcascro, Lisa
Marshall, Sandy Stone, Diane Bednarski, Matt Petrola, Ray Dyson, Diana Donaldson, Rob
Logsdon, Laura Davis, Nancy Hepinger, Betsy Martin, Carol and Ed Horne.

Prayers of the People                                                               Rev. Mason
The Lord’s Prayer

HYMN                                  O Little Town of Bethlehem                                     178
 
Benediction 
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us! God has anointed us to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and to comfort all who mourn. Even in this season — perhaps especially in this season — our world aches to hear the good news of God’s advent, of God’s coming among us. Share the good news, in word and deed.
 
And may the grace of our coming Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of the God who sent him, and the joy of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to receive him, be with us always. Amen.
Postlude                                    **A Christmas Greeting**                                    Choir ​

---

We welcome all who have come to join us in the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Please come again.  If you are visiting with us today, please let us know that we might welcome you into our church family. 

REMEMBER OUR FOOD COLLECTION:  And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”  Mark 6:37. Please remember our food pantry is available to anyone in need.  Replenish with your hands and listen for the need with your ears. 
                
ANNOUNCEMENTS:  
We will be having our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 PM Christmas Eve.  Come join this beautiful time of sharing the gift of the birth of the Christ Child 
​
Christmas Cards and envelopes are on the table in the back; they are free or if you would like to make a donation it will go to our Women’s Missionary Group.

Envelopes for 2022 are in the vestibule.  There are names with new numbers.  We are using boxes from this past year, so we don’t need to buy new ones.  The DATES will be WRONG.  
​
We are planning to do shopping for shut-ins again this year.  Please give donations to Garnet or online.  Thank you. ​