What Do We Hope for This Christmas?

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: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
 
Call to Worship
​This morning we are on a path to our God. Winding through the ordinary, weaving through the busyness, overcoming roadblocks and detours. A way to go home, leaving the past in the past and moving from darkness to light. Advent is a path to our God that provides an opportunity to hear God's voice.

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
Wake us, O God, Wake us from the busyness that already threatens to obscure the simple splendor of your humble birth. Wake us to the truth about ourselves that we give into the pressures of culture to buy more than we need, to give mainly to those who give to us, to spend more time shopping than praying. Wake us to a new Advent. 

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: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
 
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
​Selected Verses

Psalm 16:9
​Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh will also rest in hope.

Psalm 119:114
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Proverbs 23:18
For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is indeed in the Lord.

Lamentations 3:24
The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore I hope in him.

Romans 5:5
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given to us.

Sermon: What Do We Hope For This Christmas?
 
Hymn: Good Christian Men Rejoice
 
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.   7th. Marty Leppert          
9th  Janet Schively                    
10th Bonnie Reese
11th Dan Hathaway
          
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 Beverly Mounts
The Family of Esther Krajacic
The Family of Dale Taggart (Missionary/Flagstaff)
The Family of Dave Bert

Added to our prayer list this week was Marge McWreath. 
Dana Wilson is home from Jefferson Memorial Hospital, biopsy was positive for cancer, please pray for Dana as doctors plan his treatment. 
Marti Leppert had knee replacement surgery on Monday.
John O’Hara got a good report from heart doctor…heart is in rhythm and he is able to discontinue two meds!     

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, Donna West, 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, Alex Kelley, Deron Wood, Susan Alberti, Bryan Dunn, Dana Wilson and Carolin Grimes.   

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
 
Hymn: What Child is This, Who, Laid to Rest
 
Charge and Benediction

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If you need anything during this time, please contact Pastor Gary or a session member. If you have a request for our prayer chain, please contact Linda Miller. If you need food from our food pantry, or have questions about the mitten tree this year, please contact Becky Phillips.