Sunday, Dec 21, 2025

Dec. 21, 2025/Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love
When you see red words, you are invited to rise in body or spirit.

Elder: Jane Rose
Worship Leader: Greg James
Deacon: Connie Nelson
Minister: Mr. Bryan Letchworth

GATHERING IN SPIRIT PRELUDE
1. “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” arr. Thygerson, c. 2006 Lorenz Pub. Co./Lorenz Corp.
2. “Offertory on ‘Pleading Savior’” arr. Paxton, c. 1981 Lorenz Pub. Co./The Lorenz Corp.
3. “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming” arr. Mansfield, c. 1987 Lorenz Pub. Co.
4. “Star-Child” Murray & Young, c. 1994, 1997 Hope Pub. Co.

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Worship Leader
We are Winterville Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. Our 3 areas of focused ministry are: all are welcome, creation care & anti-racism, and pro-reconciliation.

CHOIR: “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine” arr. Page & Shafferman, c. 2010 Lorenz Pub. Co./The Lorenz Corp.

CALL TO WORSHIP 12.21.2025

Leader:
Today we light the fourth candle, the candle of love.
Christ’s love comes gentle and strong,
steady enough to save, tender enough to heal.

People:
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Leader:
Love was God’s first word and will be God’s final one—
love that chooses us, embraces us, and transforms us.

People:
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Leader:
As we gather in these final days of waiting,
let us welcome the love that will soon become flesh in Bethlehem.

People:
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Choral Response: “Peace, Peace, Peace” (Tune: “Still, Still, Still”) Ken Bible, c. 2006 LNWhymns.com/Music Services; CCLI Song #4663940

1. Hope, hope, hope,
The light of Christ is hope.
In all our darkness, Christ is shining,
Leading upward, faith refining.
Hope, hope, hope,
The light of Christ is hope.

2. Peace, peace, peace,
The gift of Christ is peace.
We walk with God, our past forgiven.
All in Him is life and heaven.
Peace, peace, peace,
The gift of Christ is peace.

3. Joy, joy, joy,
We praise You, Christ with joy.
Our peace, our hope, our love and treasure,
Highest calling, deepest pleasure,
Joy, joy, joy,
We praise You, Christ with joy.

4. Love, love, love,
The heart of Christ is love.
On all who come He pours His presence,
Life and love in holy essence.
Love, love, love,
The heart of Christ is love.

OPENING PRAYER 12.21.25
God of love,
as we step into this space, we slow down and breathe you in.
The world is loud and busy, but here we remember
that you came to us gently, wrapped in grace and promise.

You chose an unexpected path—
trusting a young woman’s courage
and showing us that love shows up in simple, faithful yeses.
Open our hearts to receive you again today.

Shape us into people who carry your love beyond these walls—
into our homes, our work, and our community.
Prepare us for the joy of Christmas,
and remind us that you are already with us.

We pray in the name of Jesus,
love made flesh. Amen.
OPENING SONG OF PRAISE 125 “Come, O Long-Expected Jesus” Hyfrydol

SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS

MORNING PRAYER & lead into THE LORD’S PRAYER Mr. Letchworth announce

ADVENT CANDLE READING.

CHRISMON MOMENT

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 7:10-16

SERMON: “
Mr. Letchworth
announce:

SONG OF INVITATION: 160 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Es Ist Ein Ros

INVITATION TO OFFERING
Let us present with joy our offerings of commitment and the work of Christ’s church.
Gifts can be placed in the offering plates or given online at allbelonghere.com.

Offertory Music: “Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People (Var. 2)” Arr. Lau, c. 2008 Birnamwood Pub./MorningStar Music Pub., Inc.

DOXOLOGY Hymn 47 “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

DEDICATION & THANKSGIVING

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE Mr. Letchworth
Friends, this is the table of grace.
It is not the table of this church, or of any particular tradition—
It is the table of Jesus Christ.
And it is Christ who invites all who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
all who seek peace,
all who long to know God more deeply—
to come and be fed.
You do not need to be a member of this congregation,
you do not need to have all the answers,
you do not need to have everything in your life figured out.
All you need is a willing heart.
Because this table is not a reward for the righteous—
it is a gift of grace for the weary, the seeking, and the hopeful.
So come—
not because you must, but because you may.
Come to receive the bread of life and the cup of salvation.
Come, for all is ready.
All are welcome at this table.

COMMUNION HYMN 136, v. 1-3 “Christians, All Your Lord Is Coming” Pleading Savior
Miller & Leavitt, Words c. 1995 Chalice Press, CCLI Song #7164981

PRESENTATION OF THE CHALICE & LOAF
PRAYERS FOR THE BREAD & CUP