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DECEMBER 15, 2024
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JIM ROSS

 
Prelude - Lo, How a Rose - Sharon Rogers

Welcome & Announcements 
 
*Call to Worship 

LEADER: We continue our worship series that features the hymn, “Joy to the World.” Sometimes it is difficult to see joy when so much in the world feels out of sync with joyful expression. As we have been proclaiming, and will continue to come into focus today, joy does not depend on everything being right with the world. Indeed, Mary’s world was completely upside down having found out she was pregnant before her marriage. It was dangerous, even. But this does not stop her from unabashedly singing out, with all of heaven and nature, that what was about to be born would turn the world “right side out.”
PEOPLE: Sing a new song to the Lord. Lift your hearts with gratitude and Joy, Unabashed Joy! Your steadfast love and faithfulness is ever present in our lives with Joy, Unabashed Joy!
LEADER: Let the voices of all people blend in harmony, in unison let the people magnify the Beloved!

* Praise Hymn –“Joy to the World”  (verse 1 & 3) #246 
 
The Wreath - Lighting of the Advent Candle (The Unabashed Joy Candle:
Let us pray:  
Holy God, you are the source of love.  
You are the joy that runs deep and wide underneath all of life.  
You are the one that helps us reach out in love, especially to those whose fear makes it hard for them to love.  
Help us when our fear gets in the way of joining the chorus of joy.  
Let us repeat the sounding joy in our hearts this day.  
Let us repeat the sounding joy in our church this day.  
Let us repeat the sounding joy in the world this day ... in the name of Love. 
Amen. 

Response “He Came Down” (Verse 3) Sung 2 Xs TFWS #2085 
 
Children’s Chat 
 
Scripture – Isaiah 35:1-10 (CEB)  Luke 1:46b-55 (The Message)
Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. 
People: Thanks be to God 
 
Series: “Heaven and Nature Sing Joy to the World” 
 Message – “Make the Blessings Known: Unabashed Joy”
 
Tithes and Offering 
Offertory - Christmas - Max Oesten
*Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow  #94 
 
Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns 

*Prayer Hymn – “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" #216

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer 
 
*Closing Hymn – “Good Christian Friends Rejoice”   #224
 
Action Steps and Benediction 

Postlude - Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella - Hovdesven

The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in honor of our December family birthdays - Robin, Erin, Emma, Ashley and Brendan by Debbie Knapp.
 

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org