Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 18, 2022
CCLI license #1913561
Welcome: Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Questions for Reflection
Prelude - ONE THING REMAINS-STANFILL
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains,
Yes, one thing remains.
Chorus 3x:]
Your love never fails,
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love, your love
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains,
Yes, one thing remains.
Chorus 3x:]
Your love never fails,
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love, your love
Because on and on, and on, and on it goes
For overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains
So, this one thing remains.
[Chorus 3x:]
Your love never fails,
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Chorus 3x:]
Your love never fails,
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Gathering
Let us rejoice in God our Savior, who has done great things for us, who fills the hungry with good things.
Let us open ourselves to the Spirit of life and new birth!
Let us worship God!
Opening Prayer
Eternal God of power and grace, who comes to us in surprising ways, show us your way in our time. Bring us from fear to awe, we pray; in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Advent Candle Lighting
Last Sunday we lit the candle of joy. We light it and the candles of hope and peace again as we remember that Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, will come again to fulfill all of God's promises and bring us everlasting peace and joy.
(The candles of hope, peace, and joy are lit)
The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love.
God's love is a perfect love. It holds nothing back.
God, in love, gives us everything we need to live a life of hope and peace.
In Christ, God shows us that there is nothing that love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never ends.
We light the candle of love to remind us that Jesus brings us God's perfect love and shows us how to love others.
(The candle of love is lit)
Let us pray: Thank you God for the love you express for us in Jesus Christ. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to be fulfilled, that you help us today, and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your love with the world. We ask it in the name of the Prince of Peace, the Hope of the World, the source of our joy, the Lord of Love, who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.
Hymn Response “Prepare the Way of the Lord” #95
*Hymn “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” G #119
Prayer for Understanding
Speak to us now through your Word that, by hearing, we too may receive faith and be strengthened to do your will. Amen.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 7:10-16
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiahsaid: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman1 is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
Reading from the Gospels Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Hymn please remain seated “What Child is This?” G #145
Sermon "When the Right Thing Isn't the Right Thing" The Rev. Russell Lehman
*Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God, who created and is creating -
and we await the new creation.
We believe in God born among us, God born to die, God born to save -
and we await rebirth.
We believe in God alive within us, among us, through us -
and so we await inspiration and work as God calls us.
We believe that the God who comes is a God who waits and wills
that justice be done and mercy be shown,
that bread be shared and bridges be built,
that those in low valleys be lifted up and
that insurmountable obstacles to the kingdom be removed.
And so we who believe are those who wait and those who work,
preparing our hearts and preparing the way
for the One who is Emmanuel.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
(This is the Ecumenical Version; feel free to use the words of your choice)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
Statement about Offering our Gifts
All that we have is the Lord’s. All that we may become and receive is in God’s hands. For the sake of the joy that is ours when our bonds grow deep with others, let us give generously for the well-being of the world.
Donations can be placed in the offering plate near the baptismal font in the center of the sanctuary.
Or mailed to:
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705
or given online at: lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We thank you for your steadfast love, for sending signs of assurance, and for the gift of faith. Use our gifts to bring comfort and justice to those in need, reforming the ways of our world for the sake of new life. Amen.
Announcements
*Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” G #123
Charge and Benediction
People of God, do not be afraid. Listen to the Word of the Lord who promises to be with us in every age. Spread this Word to those who live without hope. Live this Word as people who know God-with-us, Immanuel.
And may the face of God shine upon you to bless you and keep you from all doubt and danger, now and always. Amen.
Postlude "Closer"-Bethel Music