A Congregation of the Reformed Church in America
Our Life, Ministry, and Mission: To Have Hearts Centered on Christ and Hearts Open to our Neighbors
Order of Worship
December 21, 2025 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:00 AM
Our Approach to God
Prelude
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Children’s Message
Fourth Week of Advent – Love Readers: Anita Roach, Wendy Shust, and Megan Sargent
Reader 1: “And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel…”
Congregation: “…the people close to his heart.”
LIGHTING OF FIRST & SECOND PURPLE CANDLES, AND THE PINK CANDLE, AND THEN THE LAST PURPLE CANDLE
Reader1: We light the candle of LOVE. God sent his Son to earth because He loved us.
Congregation: We wait for the coming of the Christ child.
Reader 2: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, … to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Congregation: “I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”
Reader 3: Prayer: O Lord God, in love we wait for you to restore us. In love we wait for the coming of the Christ child. May we live fully in your love. Amen.
*Opening Praise Songs
“Away in a Manger” -CCLI #38583
“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” -CCLI #1043199
Call to Confession –1 Corinthians 13:1-5
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
People of God, Hear the Good News of the Gospel! Christ was born! Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Because of Him your sins are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
Guide for Grateful Living -1 Corinthians 13:6-8a
Offering
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Word of God in Proclamation
Prayer of Inspiration
Scripture LUKE 2:22-35 (NIV Pew Bible, Pages 1460-1461)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “SIMEON’S SONG”
Prayer for Blessing
Almighty God, grant that the words we have heard this day may through your grace, be so grafted within our hearts that they may bring forth in us the fruit of the Spirit, filling our hearts with God’s love. To the honor and praise of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Profession of Faith The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will 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.
Our Response to God
*Hymn of Response “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” -Hymn #78; vv. 1, 2, 5
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*Closing Hymn “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” -Hymn #933
*Benediction
Postlude
Prayer Leader is available after the service, by the front door of the Sanctuary, to pray for your needs.