December 14, 2025

Third Sunday of Advent

Lessons and Carols

10:20 AM

Reading

By Adam’s Fall

Prelude

Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt

First Lesson

The First Sin

Gen. 3:8-13a

Welcome/Announcements

Choral Introit

When God is a Child

B. Wren

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

L:  Prepare the way of the Lord.

    We light this candle in joy,

    the joy that we have in Jesus, our Savior.

P:  Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Response

One Candle is Lit, Verse 3

Mary Anne Parrott

Come, festively sing while awaiting the birth,

Join angels in dancing from heaven to earth.

Wave banners of good news, lift high thankful praise.

One candle is lit for the joy of these days.

Call to Worship

L: My soul magnifies the Lord;

P: my soul rejoices in God my Savior.

L: Jesus says: I am coming soon.

P: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Luke 1:46–47

Rev. 22:20

Second Lesson

Abraham and Isaac

Gen. 22:15-18

*Carol #140; 1-3

Once in Royal David’s City

*Call to Confession

Isa. 12:2

*Prayer of Confession

L: Lord Jesus, if you had not limited all your majestic greatness into the cramped quarters of our human nature, we could not now know the limitless power and privilege of being your children!

P: If you had not been blind in the womb, we could never have had the scales drop from our eyes. If you had not come to die, we could never have received eternal life. If you had not been torn, we could never have been mended.

L: Now forgive us for not loving others as you loved us. Forgive us for not quieting the fears of our hearts with the knowledge of how you loved us.

P: Now let us adore you for the gift of your Son, for He is our hope and our health and our life. Amen.

*Silent Prayer of Confession

*Assurance of Pardon

Zeph. 3:17

*Gloria Patri #581

Glory Be to the Father

*The Peace

L: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

P: And also with you.

Collect of the Day

Prophesy

Third Lesson

       The Coming King

Isa. 9:2, 6-7

Anthem

Soon and Very Soon

*Carol#107; 1,4

Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn

Fourth Lesson

The Peaceful Kingdom

Isa. 11:1-4a, 6-9

*Carol #129;1-2

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Fifth Lesson

       The Birth Foretold

Luke 1:26-35, 38

Anthem

Mary, Did You Know?

*Carol #100; 1-3

Canticle of the Turning (Magnificat)

Sixth Lesson

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

*Carol #121;1-2

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Seventh Lesson

     Shepherds and Angels

Luke 2:8-16

*Carol #119

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Eighth Lesson

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-11

*Carol #133; 1,3

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Homily

The Rev. Charles Gillett

*Affirmation of Faith

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

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.

Offering

*Doxology #606

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Prayer of Dedication

Ninth Lesson

The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-14

*Carol #134

Joy to the World

*Benediction

*Choral Amen #545

Song of Simeon

Lord, bid your servant go in peace;

Your word is now fulfilled.

These eyes have seen salvation’s dawn,

this child so long foretold.

Postlude

Good Christian Friends Rejoice

Gilbert Martin