December 18, 2005

Call to Worship

Leader: Let us hear the promise of God to King David:
People: Your throne shall be established forever.
Leader: Let us hear the promise of God to the Virgin Mary:
People: You will bear a son whose reign will never end.
All: Let us worship God whose promises of love and help continue forever.
Let us worship Jesus Christ in whom they are fulfilled.

Hymns Let all Mortal Flesh Be silent HWB 463

Poem Annunciation by Denise Levertov
Hymn SJ 13
Prayer of Confession
Mighty God, you have shown us your way of justice and
peace. You have invited us to join in fulfilling your holy and
life-giving purpose. We confess the fears that hinder us from
accepting your invitation, the doubts that keep us from trusting
your promises, and the sins that chain us to o ur own self-
seeking purposes.
(Silence)
Forgive us and set us free to bring to birth your reign in our
personal lives, our homes, and our communities. Amen.

Words of Assurance
God of endless mercy, thank you for your help to your
people. Thank you for your forgiveness-a gift to all who call
on your name. Amen.

Scripture Reading Romans 16:25-27
Children's Story
Hymn

Hearing

Scripture 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:26-38; 47-55
Sermon "How Can This Be?"
Hymn

Responding

Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Offering/Hymn Praise God from Whom HWB 119
Announcements
Hymn
Benediction
May God, Most High, go with you;
May Jesus, born of Mary, give you peace,
And may the Holy Spirit rest upon you,
So that your waiting, and your living,
Be according to God's word. Amen.

Today

Sermon: Maren Tydemers Hange
Worship Leader: Jim Parks
Music: Lee Bidgood
Nursery: Upton Family

Announcements

Looking for a way to help at church? Volunteers to assist with cleaning the church are needed. If you are willing to help with this effort, please contact Andy Orban or Becky Scott.

Due to fire safety regulations and allergy concerns within the church family, we will not be using wax candles during Advent and Christmas.

Bulletin information for next Saturday's Christmas Eve Service can be sent to Jeannine by Thursday at noon. She will be out of town for the following two Sunday's, so please send bulletin information to Maren for Jan. 1 & 8.

You are invited to Sing the Journey - an evening of singing and introducing the new Hymnal Supplement, led by Ken Nafziger, Professor of Music at Eastern Mennonite University, and composer Jim Clemens, will take place Sunday, January 15, 2006, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Eastern Mennonite School Auditorium. Childcare provided for ages 0-7.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: After living four weeks at the Maranatha School for the Deaf in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Robert & Lois Wenger are flying back to Virginia today for Robert to have a heart procedure done. Thank God for their service. Pray for Robert's successful surgery, and for their return to Maranatha by the beginning of February.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for the trip to Thailand Dec. 23-30 planned by the Hmong Mennonite Churches Mission to build relationships and to orient Hmong people born in North America who have never visited Asia. Mission Network provides a grant for mission among Hmong students studying in Thailand.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank, Salvation Army, CAISC--a justice ministry and PACEM-- the initiative for the homeless.

Gathering in Christ's name

Hearing

Responding

Today

Announcements

Prayers and Praises