Welcome to our online worship for Sunday, December 20, 2020
Scroll down and click on the videos for each section. 
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The Gift of Love ​​
 Fourth Sunday of Advent ​
Prelude
Brian Turner
O Come All Ye Faithful 
Advent Wreath-LOVE
Music: Andrea Bailey, Flute
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
Prayer 
O God our Father, you have brought us again to the glad season when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that his Spirit may joyfully welcome him to reign over us. Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old. Open our lips that we too, may sing with uplifted hearts. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen  ​
​Scripture
Luke 2:1-20 NIV
The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
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16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The Gift of Love 
The journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary and Joseph. Not only was it a trip of 80 miles but Mary was “great with child”. Then there was the disappointment of “no room in the inn”. The Son of God was born in a manger with animals! Angels sang about this “good news of great joy” to nearby shepherds that night. This was incredible gift of love from God to the world. The Son of God became human and lived among us. He died on a cross to be the Savior of the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whomsoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16. Have you received this amazing gift of love? Will you share this gift of love with someone this Christmas?
Message 
Pastor John Fowler
The Gift of Love 

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Offertory
Andrea Bailey and Brian Turner
I Believe
By: Natalie Grant 

In a land far away, time stood still long ago.
There were shepherds in fields or at least
this is how the story goes, the story goes.
Woman with Child, and an inn with no room.
Born in a manger, foretelling a tomb.
This is how the story goes.
But it's more than a fable,
and it's more than a fairytale.
And more than my mind can conceive.

I believe the wisemen saw the baby boy the angels called the Son of God.
Heaven's Child, the great I Am
Born to take away my sin through
nail-pierced hands.
Emmanuel has come. I believe.

Two thousand years still, the story lives on
God's gift to us sent to earth wrapped in flesh
His only Son, His only Son.
And the heartbeat of Heaven
confounded our wisdom.
But it's still the simple truth that set me free.

I believe the wisemen saw the baby boy the angels called the Son of God.
Heaven's child, the great I Am,
Born to take away my sin through nail-pierced hands. Emmanuel has come.
And I believe.

Precious child, how can it be that
God's great plan for history
Would send You to the lonely tree.
That You would come for one like me.

I believe in a cross.
I believe He came for one, He came for all.
Heaven's Child became a Man.
He gave His life for me in spite of all I am.
I believe, I believe, oh, I believe.
Christmas lives in me. I believe.
Children's Message
Kim Garland
Postlude 
Brian Turner
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Be people of love.
Let love live in your heart and share the love of Christ with all you meet.
Share love by loving those you see regularly. Start by loving your community.
Share love by loving those you do not know. How do your actions affect the rest of God’s creation?
Share love by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share love.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, share love, joy, peace, and hope with those you meet. Amen.