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DECEMBER 8, 2024
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JIM ROSS
SPECIAL MUSIC BY THE PIC-A-LONGS
 
Prelude - Medley: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly and The Snow Fell on the Ground - PicALongs

Welcome & Announcements 
 
*Call to Worship 
Leader:  “Last week, we began our worship series celebrating the beloved hymn, “Joy to the World.” We focused on “hopeful joy” and began to prepare room in our lives for more joy, even when not all is right with the world. This week, we remember that “repeating the sounding joy,” as the hymn suggests, is the way in which the reverberations of love are spread throughout the world. And so, we raise our praise today in order to repeat what all creation is saying, “God loves you.” 
Sing a new song to the Lord 
Lift your hearts with gratitude and Joy, Loving Joy 
Your steadfast love and faithfulness 
Is ever present in our lives with Joy, Loving joy 
Make a joyful noise to the Beloved all the earth; 
break forth into grateful song and sing praises! 
Yes, sing songs of praise extolling Love’s way; 
lift up your hearts with gratitude and joy! 

* Praise Hymn –“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” #213 
 
"The Wreath" - Lighting of the Advent Candle 
(The Loving 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 11: 1-10 Matthew 3: 1-15 
Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. 
People: Thanks be to God 
 
Message – “Repeat the Sounding Joy: Loving Joy” 
Series: “Heaven and Nature Sing Joy to the World” 
 
Tithes and Offering 
Offertory - Sing We Now Of Christmas - PicALongs
*Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow  #94 
 
Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns 

*Prayer Hymn – “Joy to the World”        (Verse 2)          #246 

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer 
 
*Closing Hymn – “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”              #203 
 
Action Steps and Benediction 

Postlude - Good Christian Men, Rejoice - PicALongs
 

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