We Are All Made for Joy

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.
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Hymn: Away in a Manger
 
Call to Worship
​Come, and open your hearts to this season of Advent. Light the candles and hear the carols. Rest in the joy that comes with this time of year. Come and open your lives to the light of the world. We are walking toward Bethlehem and listening every step of the way for the announcement that we have found favor with God.

Call to Confession
It is in our confession that we realize our desires for God and our hope for God’s mercy. It is in admitting the truth of our lives that we take the first step toward wholeness and healing. So let us make our confession this day.
 
Prayer of Confession
Loving God it is true that we do not see Your vision for life. We get stuck in the old patterns of life and can't see beyond our bad habits and limited hope. We do not look deep enough to see You in the midst of difficulty. We do not recognize You in our longing for someone or something to take away the emptiness. Help each of us to find that deep love that is offered to us by the child in the manger. 

Time of Personal Reflection
 
Assurance of Pardon
In Christ there is no east or west,
In him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Jesus Christ, there is new life.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
 
Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
 
Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Ghost
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, dead and buried.
      On the third day he arose from the dead.
      He ascended into heaven
      and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
Children's Sermon
 
Prayer of Illumination
 
Scripture Lesson
​Philippians 4:4-9

Final Exhortations
​4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Sermon: We Are All Made for Joy
 
Hymn: What Child is This Who Laid to Rest
 
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give God thanks and praise
 
Church Joys and Concerns
If you have a joy or concern to share that is not listed below, and you feel comfortable doing so, you may share it in the comments.
 
Birthdays
Dec.   13 Nicole King, Sam Jackson
14 Sue Gregg, Addison Miklic
15 Susie Cummings
16 Lynn Kalich, Dan Kalich
18  Buc Walther, Brian Bell, Jean Westfall

Anniversaries
​Dec 15 Bill and Carol Stough
18 Mike and Debbie Durila. (50 yrs.)
          
Announcements:  This year we will not be able to have our traditional Sunday School Christmas program. Instead, we will be having a virtual program on Sunday, December 20. Since we have been apart for almost nine months, we would like to share Christmas greetings and memories. 

You could take a family picture in front of your tree or in the snow, or anywhere else that seems good to you, and include a short Christmas greeting. If you have pictures or videos from past Christmases at North Buffalo that you would like to share, please send those as well.

All pictures and messages should be sent to the church email:  north.buffalo.church@gmail.com  Please send these in by December 16.

SYMPATHY: The Family of Carolyn Grimes

 We added Debbie Kelley to our prayer list this week and Rick McFeeley will be going to Allegheny General for another operation on his knee to clean out the infection.  His father, Dick McFeeley fell and is in Senior Care.  Daron Wood is back in the hospital.  Seth Cummings (3 yrs. old) will be having dental surgery at Children’s Hospital on 12/31, his father Dave has had multiple surgeries on his arm and will be off work 6 months.     

Continued prayers for Roma Grose, Ruth Hampe, Susan Schively, Jimmy Davis, Judy Donaldson, Margo Johnson, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Lisa Phillips, Mickey Gubitti, Chip Rogers, Dixie Avoila, Virginia Coffield,  Dennis McWreath, Chuck Warlow, Chuck Dicks, Randy Moore, Margaret Knabenshue, Janet Schively, Mary Ann Durila, Patty Nagey, Dr. Craig Fox, Karen Eisiminger, Kelley Gump, Mary Ann McFeeley, Ed Horne, DonnaWest, June and Keith McGill, Dianna Donaldson, Chuck Montecello, April Hincy, 3 yr. old Hayden Dijean, Glenn Miles, Dave Cummings, Ken Jackson, Doug Ward,  Mark Knabenshue, Rick McFeeley, Dick McFeeley, Ricky Amos, Deron Wood, Susan Alberti, Bryan Dunn, Dana Wilson, Marge McWreath and Marlene Huffman.   


Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
 
Hymn: The First Noel
 
Charge and Benediction
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We're so glad you joined us today! If you need anything during this time, please contact Pastor Gary or a session member. If you have any requests for our prayer chain, please contact Linda Miller. If you need food from our food pantry or have questions about the Mitten Tree, please contact Becky Phillips.