Sunday, December 14, 2025 -- 10:30am Worship Service
Welcome to Maxwell Street! We hope you will consider wearing a nametag so that we might get to know one another better. They can be found in the lobbies outside the sanctuary. You can find more helpful information inside this bulletin.
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Candle Lighting - Clara, Eli, Megan, and Troy Cooper
Children of God, what are we waiting for?
We wait for joy that cannot be stolen,
joy that wells up, even in wilderness places.
We wait for laughter to ring out in mourning,
for songs of gladness to rise in broken streets.
We wait ...
for joy that is more than happiness,
to rejoice in God’s unshakable love.
Hymn 82 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, part of vs. 1
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Prelude - O Come, Little Children, traditional carol, arr. Bish
Call to Worship
We gather joyfully
because the Lord is here
among us, and in every heart.
As we prepare ourselves to make room for the Spirit
we join with heaven and nature to sing our praises.
Our joy is repeated throughout creation -
growing fields, rushing rivers and mighty hills,
all proclaim God’s arrival.
+ HYMN 107 - Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession
God our maker, we confess that we are not ready to meet you. You offer us a place in your house, yet we find no room for you in our lives. You invite us into your eternal realm, yet we fail to welcome others. Forgive us, God of grace. Let your word of life be with us so that we may truly believe that nothing is impossible with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Hear now our silent prayers of confession...
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 581, (Gloria Patri)
Passing of the Peace
Prayer for Openness
Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anthem - I Wonder as I Wander, John Jacob Niles, Chancel Choir, Lucy Schapman, solo
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - Joy Around The World
HYMN 134 - Joy to the World, verses 1 and 2
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - Every Valley from Messiah, Handel, Jay McNamee, tenor
• Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessing flow Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
• Prayer of Dedication
+ HYMN 87 - Comfort, Comfort Now My People
Charge & Benediction
Benediction Response - Hymn 82, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Postlude - A Christmas Carillon, Margaret Tucker, Westminster Bells
+ Indicates that the congregation is invited to stand in body and/or spirit.
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Candle Lighting - Clara, Eli, Megan, and Troy Cooper
Children of God, what are we waiting for?
We wait for joy that cannot be stolen,
joy that wells up, even in wilderness places.
We wait for laughter to ring out in mourning,
for songs of gladness to rise in broken streets.
We wait ...
for joy that is more than happiness,
to rejoice in God’s unshakable love.
Hymn 82 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, part of vs. 1
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Prelude - O Come, Little Children, traditional carol, arr. Bish
Call to Worship
We gather joyfully
because the Lord is here
among us, and in every heart.
As we prepare ourselves to make room for the Spirit
we join with heaven and nature to sing our praises.
Our joy is repeated throughout creation -
growing fields, rushing rivers and mighty hills,
all proclaim God’s arrival.
+ HYMN 107 - Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession
God our maker, we confess that we are not ready to meet you. You offer us a place in your house, yet we find no room for you in our lives. You invite us into your eternal realm, yet we fail to welcome others. Forgive us, God of grace. Let your word of life be with us so that we may truly believe that nothing is impossible with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Hear now our silent prayers of confession...
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 581, (Gloria Patri)
Passing of the Peace
Prayer for Openness
Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anthem - I Wonder as I Wander, John Jacob Niles, Chancel Choir, Lucy Schapman, solo
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - Joy Around The World
HYMN 134 - Joy to the World, verses 1 and 2
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - Every Valley from Messiah, Handel, Jay McNamee, tenor
• Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessing flow Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
• Prayer of Dedication
+ HYMN 87 - Comfort, Comfort Now My People
Charge & Benediction
Benediction Response - Hymn 82, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Postlude - A Christmas Carillon, Margaret Tucker, Westminster Bells
+ Indicates that the congregation is invited to stand in body and/or spirit.