Welcome & Opening Prayer
Good morning church!
I am Russell Clark and I am the senior minister here at Azle Christian Church. May we find hope and peace and joy here this morning during this season of Advent – of waiting for the arrival of the Christ Child in all of our lives.
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) First, if everyone will fill out the attendance registration. If you’re a guest at our church, sharing your names will help us to get to know you more. Sharing your e-mail will help us connect you with our weekly newsletter and all the church happenings. There are brochures with more info about our church in your pew to help you get to know us more and what we’re about. And there is also information about getting connected on the back of your bulletin.
(2) Second, we love our children here in worship and we always welcome them here. There is a kids corner in the back if your children need a space to move around. There is also a nursery available if you’d like.
(3) Finally, our liturgy is posted each week on the website if you would like to follow along with our service.
Now, may we take a moment to pray as we enter this time of worship.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – As we celebrate this 3rd Sunday of Advent, may we remember the joy you bring to our hearts. May you remove our worries and stresses from this past week that we might be filled with your Holy Spirit. Be God with us as we prepare for worship, and throughout this week may we continue to see how the arrival of the Christ Child can impact our daily lives. Amen.
May we take a moment before we get started to greet those next to us with a hug or high five.
Opening Songs: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing #150
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"
"Glory to the new-born king"
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
From God Our Heavenly Father a Blessed Angel Came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
But when to Bethlehem they came whereat this infant lay
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Litany of Faith – Chris Piercy
One: We will light candles this Christmas. Candles of joy, despite all the sadness.
All: Candles of hope where despair keeps watch.
One: Candles of courage where fear is ever present.
All: Candles of grace to easy heavy burdens.
One: Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days.
All: Candles of love to inspire all our living. Candles that will burn all the year long. Amen.
(by Howard Thurman)
Scripture Meditation Luke 2:10-12 – Rev. Russell Clark
“But the angel said to (the shepherds), ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
I often wonder what it would have been like if we were the shepherds who were there when Jesus was born.
What if we were actually there for Jesus’ birth?
Would we be excited?
Would we be scared?
Would we be confused?
Would we even care?
I imagine that with what happened; that this BABY was NOT what the shepherds were expecting.
We know now that God tends to do things in different ways than what we might have expected or predicted. Jesus tends to show us who God is in unconventional ways that shatter our expectations.
What does this say about God?
What does this say about us?
Think about this as we prepare for the sermon and as we pray together.
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Emmanuel – God with us – we ask you to meet us here this morning in our joy AND in our suffering. Where we have fallen short and when we have been distracted and distraught and when all we can see is the suffering in front of us, help us to know this junk is only temporary. Remind us that joy comes in the morning and this joy you give us is eternal. No one can strip this joy from us. Not bad days or losses or struggles can separate us from the love and joy offered in Jesus.
Hear our prayers of need during this season…May you take from us the illnesses surrounding us this morning and place your healing hands upon us. May you take from us the stresses of this season and bring peace to our hearts and minds. Lord, will you especially be with those who are without home, without sufficient clothing, with those who are separated from their families this Christmas season, and for other prayers of need, please Lord hear our prayers.
May we care for the Christ child we meet and bring hope and healing and peace to their lives. May your love be known more around the world, and may we share this love ourselves wherever possible.
May we be your Christmas lights, showing others that suffering is not the end…but joy comes in the morning.
Lord, may we set our eyes and our hearts upon you as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us…
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
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.
RESPONSIVE HYMN – Emmanuel, Emmanuel #134
Emmanuel Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel
God with us revealed in us
His name is called Emmanuel
Children’s Moment – Sheila Foster
Lighting the Advent Candle – Daniel & Janie Musick
One: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ the Joy.
All: May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation O come, o come Emmanuel. Amen.
Responsive Hymn – One Candle is Lit (v.3) #128
Come Festively sing while awaiting the birth join angles 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.
Sharing Our Resources
There are many ways to support the ministries of Azle Christian Church. You can give online on our website, on Venmo, use the QR code in your bulletin, or place it in the offering plate as the deacons come by during our anthem. You can also put in a prayer request card or information card in the plate.
Anthem – Emmanuel Hallowed Manger Ground
Doxology - Praise God from whom all blessing flow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer – Chris Piercy
Sermon Series: The Christ Child: Seeing Christ in the World Today
Sermon: Christ the Joy – Rev. Russell Clark
Holy Communion Meditation & Prayer – Chris Piercy
Communion Song – The First Noel (v. 1,2) #151
The First Noel the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
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
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
We believe Jesus Christ is the gracious host at this table.
Everyone is welcome to participate in communion. Please pass tray to your neighbor after receiving your communion cups. Please help those who need assistance. Hold cups until instructed by Elder to take in unison.
Holy Communion Words of Institution – Chris Piercy
INVITATION
If you would like to dedicate your life to Christ or become a member of Azle Christian Church, you may come forward after the benediction or speak with me after worship.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A few announcements for this week before our benediction:
There is no Wednesday dinner and bible study this week or next week.
Next Sunday morning, we will not be here in the sanctuary. We will be in the fellowship hall for our Cookie Fellowship. Bring your favorite Christmas cookies and wear your favorite Christmas PJs & we will have a shorter, informal worship service with the Ukulele group leading us in music. There will be no Sunday School next week.
Our special Christmas Eve service will be next Sunday at 8pm.
Then, in 2 weeks, we will have a New Year’s Eve breakfast and worship service also in the fellowship hall. For worship, we will be looking at all God has done in 2023 and sharing “Where have we seen God in 2023?” There will be no Sunday School on Dec. 31 and Revive UMC will be using our sanctuary so don’t forget that we will be in the fellowship hall or you’ll worship with our friends from Revive instead.
Immediately after worship today we will have a congregation meeting to approve the budget and church leaders for 2024.
The Children’s Christmas Choir will have their first practice immediately after worship today, as well. All children and youth can be a part of this. They will also have practice next Sunday at 7:15 before their performance at the Christmas eve service at 8pm.
If you or someone you know needs a visit OR has a prayer request OR would like home communion, you may contact the church office or contact me directly.
BENEDICTION:
Please rise in body and spirit for the benediction & the final song. Receive this blessing:
I pray that you are able to find joy all around you this week. I pray that you are able to take time to breathe and enjoy this season as Christmas gets closer. I pray that the Christ Child shatters your expectations. I pray that God’s unexpected gift of unconditional love, unwarranted grace, everlasting joy, and eternally-satisfying peace brings you hope every day this week. Amen.
** BENEDICTION RESPONSE – How Great Our Joy #170