First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
Third Sunday of Advent
10:00 A.M. December 14, 2025
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 146:10
The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generation. Praise the Lord!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Wreath Lighting
In the midst of our waiting and longing for God to make the world right again, we cling to the truth that God has saved, God is saving, and God will save. So today, we join our voices with the prophet Isaiah, who calls us to live in the joy of the truth of God’s salvation.
All: We choose to believe that the day is coming when “the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).
We light this candle of joy as a sign of the Truth that sets us free to live in joy as we wait and work for the day when all creation will flourish together.
Light the third candle (pink) of the Advent wreath.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP (Vs. 3) Advent Candle 85
Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah TIF IN VELDELE
Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
Lift your heads and lift high the gateway for the King of glory.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
What if joy were to break out unrestrained in our world? What would we notice?
The wilderness and dry land would be glad; the desert rejoice and blossom.
The blind would see and the lame would walk. Lepers would be cleansed, and the deaf would hear.
The dead would rise and the poor would receive good news.
May joy break out in our worship today as we anticipate the One who comes into our world!
Come thou long expected Jesus!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN
O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart’s delight!
O kindle, Lord most holy, a lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.
Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me;
Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling, that led you to embrace
In love, all loves excelling, our lost and fallen race.
You come, O Lord, with gladness, in mercy and goodwill,
To bring an end to sadness and bid our fears be still.
In patient expectation we live for that great day
When your renewed creation your glory shall display.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Holy and wonderful God, we confess that we have closed our eyes to what you are doing. We prefer to concentrate on problems, bad news and violence. When we do, we miss all the healing, freeing and helping you accomplish in our world. We pass up opportunities to participate in your Good News. We rob ourselves of so much joy. Forgive us and give us eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts to treasure your mission in the world. Fill us with unquenchable joy at the coming of Jesus. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
The angel told Joseph, “You are to name the baby Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
PASSING THE PEACE
As God has forgiven us in Christ let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
The sharing of Christ’s peace.
RESPONSE Peace is Flowing Like a River TRADITIONAL
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
His love is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 35:1-10
SPECIAL MUSIC One Small Child Arr. Hayes
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Luke 1:45-55
MESSAGE Living in Harmony, Preparing the Way Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 82 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art.
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
In Christ, God gave us a glimpse of the new creation God has already begun and will surely finish. We do not know when the final day will come. In our time we see only broken and scattered signs that the renewal of all things is under way. We do not yet see the end of cruelty and suffering in the world, the church, or our own lives. But we see Jesus as Lord. As he stands at the center of our history, we are confident he will stand at its end. He will judge all people and nations. Evil will be condemned and rooted out of God’s good creation. There will be no more tears or pain. All things will be made new.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Of the Father’s Love Begotten Arr. Carter
*DOXOLOGY 144 (Vs 4) What Can I Give Him? CRANHAM
What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 103 (Vs. 1 & 3) Come, Now, O Prince of Peace O-SO-SO
Come now, O Prince of Peace; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (In 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 97 (Vs. 1, 3) Watchman, Tell Us of the Night ABERYSTWYTH
Watchman, tell us of the night, what its signs of promise are.
Traveler, what a wondrous sight: see that glory-beaming star.
Watchman, does its beauteous ray news of joy or hope foretell?
Traveler, yes; it brings the day, promised day of Isarael.
Watchman, tell us of the night, for the morning seems to dawn.
Traveler, shadows take their flight; doubt and terror are with-drawn.
Watchman, you may go your way; hasten to your quiet home.
Traveler, we rejoice today, for Emmanuel has come!
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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