Phone: (574) 534-2398    e-mail:


Prelude
Lighting the God C andle
         Song of Candlelighting: Come, Light of the world
                  2. Come, Spirit of God…
                  3. Come, Prince of Peace…
                  4. Christ, hear our prayer…

Call to Worship
         Leader:  Praise the Lord.
         People:   P raise the Lord from the heavens on high.
         Leader:  Sun, moon, and stars, solar systems and galaxies:
                  Praise the Lord!
         People :  Praise the Lord from the depths of ocean
                  and can yon.
         Leader:  Sea creatures swimming deep below the surf
                  and plant life growing in the crevices of the earth,
                  species known and those yet to be discovered:
                  Praise the Lord!
         People :  Praise the Lord fro m the land,
                  in all its thriving diversity.
         Leader:  Microbes, insects, wild and domestic animals,
                  women and men, infants and elderly,
                  all creatures on the face of the earth:
                  Praise the Lord!
        
All:      For our eyes have seen your salvation
                  which is for all creation
                  love incarnate in the Christ child.
                           Praise the Lord!
        
Opening Prayer : Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (adapted)
        
Gathering Songs of Christmas :   
         To us a Child of hope is born (HWB 189)
         Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light (HWB 203)
         Love came down at Christmas (HWB 208)
Reading and Reflection
         Many faces plead for our attention this week.

         In some faces we see thoughtlessness and greed,
         with too little concern for the welfare of others.

         In our own faces we see that often we are too preoccupied
         to recognize and be grateful for the gift of our salvation.

         Yet now the time has come to shout praises to the Lord!

         Restore us, O God; let your face shine because your salvation
         has come a Child of Hope is born!

Song of Response: Gloria (HWB 204)

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40

Prayer of Thanks

Offertory
Helpless and hungry (back cover of the bulletin)
What child is this (HWB 215)    
The first Noel, the angel did say (HWB 199)
         (Children are invited to come forward to see the illustrations and pick up their worship bags.)
Oh, how joyfully (HWB 209)

Psalm Reading : Psalm 148

Sermon : `` Partners in Praise ''
Song of Response :
         All creatures of our God and King (HWB 48, verses 1-4 and 7)

Sha ring and Prayers of the Congregation
         Song of Prayer: La ténèbre (Our darkness) (STJ 101)

         Congregational Prayer
                  Embracing God, we bring to you our concerns :
                           ( Petitions v oiced by the congregation)
                  Too easily we lose our sense of awe and wonder
                  at the birth of Jesus.
                  Instead we are seduced by the glitter of the season
                  and forget the purpose of gift-giving.
                  We've lost our first love.
                  Have mercy on us, O Lord.
        
                  Embracing God, we bring to you our joys :
                           (Praises voiced by the congregation)
                  Because we have received Jesus, the best gift of all,
                  we join the entire cosmos with highest praise!
                  And because our lives are filled with light,
                  we offer that light as a gift to others.
                  Thanks be to God. AMEN
         Song of Prayer: La ténèbre (Our darkness) (STJ 101)

Welcome and Announcements
         Please pass the friendship registers.

Song : Joy to the world (HWB 318)

Word of Benediction

Song of Benediction: To God with the Lamb (HWB 125)





Worship Leader: Anita Kehr
Song Leader: Malinda Berry
Accompanist: Terri Plank Brenneman
Prelude and Offertory: Jesse Kehr
Readers: Jonathan, Terri, Alex, Karis, Natalie Neufeld
Sermon: Dan Schrock
Pastoral Prayer: David Heusinkveld
Sound and Projection: Ben Buckwalter
Ushers: Dale and Anita Snyder Family
Bulletin Cover: Anne Berry
Advent Planning Committee: Terri J. Plank Brenneman, Hannah Heinzekehr, Eric Hostetler, Ginny Martin, Lane Miller, Sherry Wenger




Childcare is available for infants and toddlers (generally ages three and under) in the nursery on the right side of the hallway.

Nurture Hour begins ten minutes after the end of worship. Re-gather in the meetingroom for these opportunities:
Please attend the intergenerational adult class of your choice :
¨         Sermon Discussion Class meets in the northeast corner of the meetingroom.
¨         A long-term, discussion-based group that explores a variety of issues meets in the northwest corner of the meetingroom.
¨         College-A ge Class meets in the library.
¨         A class focusing on Creation Care meets in the southeast corner of the meetingroom.
¨         A women's class is studying the book, Bad Girls of the Bible , and meets in the Jubilee Hall after the children have finished their singing.

Children from preschool through fifth grade gather after worship for singing in Jubilee Hall (the large room north of the fellowship hall). Younger children may go directly to their classroom (see the room assignments below).
¨         Infants and 2-year-olds meet in ``Cherub Corner.''
¨         Preschool (3- and 4-year-olds) meet in ``Gentleness.''
¨         Primary I (kindergarten) meet in ``Joyful.''
¨         Primary II (first and second grades) meet in ``Peace.''
¨         Middler (third, fourth, and fifth grades) meet in ``Forgiveness.''

Youth:
The JYF (grades 6-8) and the MYF (grades 9-12) meet in their classrooms off of Jubilee Hall.