248 East Derry Road, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033717-533-9667 • info@derrypres.org

derrypres.org

Welcome to Derry Presbyterian Church

We proclaim God's Word, share God's love, and practice God's justice.

December 20, 202010:30 am

Service for the Lord's DayPRELUDE Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Tracy Burke Emma Burke, French horn, and Nicola & Tracy Burke, trombone GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker CALL TO WORSHIP This is the fourth Sunday of Advent, a time to rejoice in the wondrous things that God is doing. Our hearts are filled with the hope that is coming into the world. It is time to be aware of God’s loving gift to us--the gift of the Christ child. We give thanks for God’s gift of love that is at the center of our lives and our celebrations. Thanks be to God who again reminds us of God’s eternal love. Open our hearts, O Lord, to receive your gift of love. HYMN 144 In the Bleak Midwinter page 4

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Liturgy to Light the Candles (four candles are lit) Let us pray together, Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Christmas season. As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination. We confess that we do not love you with all our heart, soul, and strength, and we do not love our neighbors as ourselves. We still resist your love and grace. Forgive us Lord. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared. Magnify your love within us. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF GRACE Remember your baptism and believe the good news of the Gospel. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

SUNG RESPONSE One Candle Is Lit (verse 4) Cradle Song

2

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 2:10-11 (NT p. 2) and Ephesians 2:4-9 (NT p. 192) The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

CONVERSATION WITH CHILDREN A Birthday Without Presents? God's Hidden Hands SERMON "Christmas Gifts" Rev. McKinney-Whitaker

ANTHEM He Shall Reign Forevermore Chris Tomlin Mark Verner, cajon, Ryan Bartz, bass, Craig Barth, guitar, Mike Klucker, cello, Mary Lemons, piano, and Joseph Chubb, Soloist PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD'S PRAYER (Unison) 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. HYMN 110 Love Has Come page 5

BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE Angel Carol Derry Brass

3

4

5