on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

born is the King of Israel

2 They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far;

and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]

3 And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]

4 This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,

and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]

WORDS OF WELCOME Rev Ochart and Louise Ochart

MINUTE FOR MISSION

EXPECTATION FOR MESSIAH

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE

1st PERSON: rejoice, for the lord will come and save you.

2nd PERSON: Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, 

and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 

then the lame will leap like a deer, 

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. 

3rd PERSON:  God’s ransomed people will return

And come to Zion with singing;

They will obtain joy and gladness, 

And sorrow and sighing will flee away. 

With joy you will say:

ALL: “Give Thanks to the Lord! 

Praise God’s holy name!

[Light the Candles]

RESPONSIVE HYMN[BLUE#9] [GTG#88]: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

PRAYER OF THE DAY Brock Moore

God of the prophets, you sent John into the world to proclaim the coming of

your son. Give us ears to hear the proclamations of your promises and eyes to

see your presence in this world. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH  [GTG#86]      “The People Who Walked In Darkness”

1. The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light. 

The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow rise to a star shining bright

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace (Repeat)

5. How vast is our God’s dominion! How far truth and mercy extend. 

The zeal of the Lord will accomplish its purpose: justice shall reign without end. 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, 

Father forever, Prince of Peace (Repeat)

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION Deborah Nolan    

A Voice is crying in the wilderness: 

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin; first in a moment of silence, and then together.

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Deborah Nolan

Let us join together in the unison the prayer of confession. Let us pray…

ALL: God with us, you are coming into the world to bring all people together in peace. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit and abuse both neighbor and nature, and refuse your justice and peace. 

In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON    Deborah Nolan

The wilderness will rejoice; the dry land will blossom. 

The people of God will return with joy and singing. 

in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God.                 

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end, Amen, Amen.

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                         Luke 2:1-14 David Russo

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

   and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                           “TOO BUSY”                  

Asher Ochart, Ian Nolan, Jack Dixson, Kate Russo, Joseph Hebert, Caleb Hebert, Deborah Nolan, David Russo, Christian Hebert, Brock Moore Matthew Freudenthal

 THE WORD MADE FLESH   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism       Caleb Hebert

ONE: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

MANY: That I belong body and soul, in life and in death not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY      God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen

DOXOLOGY[BLUE#592] [GTG# 606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER Christian Hebert

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 

HYMN [Blue #29] [GTG#136]  Go, Tell it On the Mountain Youth Kazoo Choir 

Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born!

1 While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light. [Refrain]

2 The shepherds feared and trembled
when lo! above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]

3 Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]

PARTING PRAYER  

Almighty God, you have made us and all things to serve you. Now prepare the world for your rule. Come quickly to save us, so that wars and violence shall end, and your children may live in peace, honoring one another with justice and love; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue #29] [GTG#136]  Go, Tell it On the Mountain

Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born!       

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Mike Fortin, Briana and Cameron Mayfield, Dennis Lauland, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.