Welcome to our online worship for Sunday, December 13, 2020
Scroll down and click on the videos for each section. 
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The Gift of JOY ​​
 Third Sunday of Advent ​
Prelude
Brian Turner
To A Maid Engaged To Joseph 
Advent Wreath-JOY
Music: Andrea Bailey, Flute
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Prayer  
In the advent seasons, when the past has fled, unasked, away and there is nothing left to do but wait, God, shelter us. Be our surrounding darkness; be the fertile soil out of which hope springs in due time. In uncertain times, help us to greet the dawn and labor on, love on, in faith awaiting the purpose hid in you waiting to be born in due time. Thank you for the hope of all things working together for the good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.  Amen
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​Scripture
Luke 1:26-38 NIV
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
The Gift of Joy 
Mary is a teenager from the small town of Nazareth, who is engaged to marry Joseph. She is visited by the Angel Gabriel who tells her “Greetings, you are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled, wondering what kind of greeting this would be. The angel said to her “Do not be afraid Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Mary is puzzled and asks, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” What was Mary’s response? “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” That’s how the Gift of Joy comes to us at Christmas. When we say yes to God’s call to serve, His joy comes as well. Joy to the world the Lord has come!
Message 
Pastor John Fowler
The Gift of Joy 

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Offertory
Andrea Bailey and Brian Turner
Breath of Heaven
By: Chris Eaton and Amy Grant

I have traveled many moonless nights,
cold and weary with a babe inside
and I wonder what I've done.
Holy father, you have come
and chosen me now to carry your son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer;
I am frightened by the load I bear.
in a world as cold as stone,
must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now,
Be with me now.

Chorus:
Breath of heaven, hold me together,
Be forever near me Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven, lighten my darkness,
pour over me your holiness,
for you are holy, Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,
if a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong, help me be, help me.

​Chorus
Children's Message
Kim Garland
Postlude 
Brian Turner
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Handel ​
A Joyful Benediction
Be people of joy.
Let joy live in your heart and share the joy
of Christ with all you meet.
Share joy by seeing the good in each other.
Share joy by remembering good times
and hoping for good times to come.
Share joy by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see,
feel, and share joy.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s
creations, share joy, peace, and hope
 with those you meet. Amen.