Sunday, December 21, 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 - O’Carra Family
Children of God, what are we waiting for?
We wait for love that casts out fear,
love that heals what hatred has torn,
love that binds neighbor to neighbor
and stranger to friend.
We wait for love embodied in Christ,
a love fierce, tender and eternal.
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 - Echo Noel, Louis Claude D’Aquin (1694-1772)
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 80)
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
How long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
+ Hymn 100 - My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession
God our maker, our human failings get in the way of our understanding of Your ways. Our human understanding gets in the way of Your truth. So, let your face shine on us. Let us behold the smile of Your grace. Let us feel the warmth of Your embrace, that we might know Your ways, and Your time, and Your purpose. Having turned our backs on You, we turn towards You again. Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved. Hear now our silent prayers of confession...
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 581, (Gloria Patri)
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
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.
Scripture Reading - Isaiah 7.10-1
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 Isaiah said, “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 woman 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.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem - Ding, Dong, Merrily on High, arr. Charles Wood, Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading - 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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce 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 become pregnant and give birth to 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 given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
SERMON – Don’t Be Afraid to Dream, Rev. Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - From the Confession of 1967
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world.
+ HYMN 129 - “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - But Who May Abide from Messiah, G. F. Handel
• 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 106 - Prepare the Way, O Zion
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 - How Brightly Shines the Morning Star (advent hymn), Johann Pachelbel
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Candle Lighting - O’Carra Family
Children of God, what are we waiting for?
We wait for love that casts out fear,
love that heals what hatred has torn,
love that binds neighbor to neighbor
and stranger to friend.
We wait for love embodied in Christ,
a love fierce, tender and eternal.
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 - Echo Noel, Louis Claude D’Aquin (1694-1772)
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 80)
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
How long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
+ Hymn 100 - My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession
God our maker, our human failings get in the way of our understanding of Your ways. Our human understanding gets in the way of Your truth. So, let your face shine on us. Let us behold the smile of Your grace. Let us feel the warmth of Your embrace, that we might know Your ways, and Your time, and Your purpose. Having turned our backs on You, we turn towards You again. Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved. Hear now our silent prayers of confession...
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 581, (Gloria Patri)
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
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.
Scripture Reading - Isaiah 7.10-1
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 Isaiah said, “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 woman 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.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem - Ding, Dong, Merrily on High, arr. Charles Wood, Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading - 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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce 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 become pregnant and give birth to 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 given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
SERMON – Don’t Be Afraid to Dream, Rev. Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - From the Confession of 1967
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world.
+ HYMN 129 - “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - But Who May Abide from Messiah, G. F. Handel
• 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 106 - Prepare the Way, O Zion
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 - How Brightly Shines the Morning Star (advent hymn), Johann Pachelbel