December 14, 2025 Order of Worship
The Angels and the Shepherds (arr. Jason W. Krug) – Handbells
Welcome
Advent Candle Lighting – Shining and Sharing Joy
Candle Lighters: Julie Scranton, Arin Coleman, Donna Woodford
[Geoffrey begins to play quietly the music to “What Child Is This” on piano (UMH #219) and continues under the Pastor’s words…]
Pastor: Advent is a short season for seeking God who is breaking in on our lives and our world. As the children once more tell us the story of the birth of Jesus, we find ourselves asking, “What child IS this who comes to us in such a humble way? And, what does God intend to do in us and in our world through Jesus?” Hope, Peace, and Joy are all part of the answer. I pray that you will discover these things here today as we enter the third Sunday of Advent singing…
[The Advent Candle Lighters come forward to the Altar Table as we sing.]
Congregation Sings
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
[music continues quietly beneath the words…]
Advent Candle Lighting (ACL) Reader(s): The prophet Zephaniah shows us the way to Joy on this third Sunday of Advent when he says, “Sing aloud children of Israel. Rejoice with all your heart, sons and daughters of Jerusalem. You are forgiven. The Lord has turned away all opposition. The Holy One of Israel is in your midst. God rejoices over you with gladness, renews your strength in love, and exults over you with loud singing. Take Joy in your salvation! ”[1]
As the Candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy are lit, the following words are spoken by one or more of our Advent Candle Lighters (ACL)…
ACL Reader: We relight the first candle, the candle of Hope as our commitment to shine and share Hope with the world. We relight this second candle, the candle of Peace for a world in need of mercy and justice. And, now we light this candle of Joy for those who need it most.
ACL Reader: For all whose despair feels endless, we light this candle of Joy.
ACL Reader: For all who struggle with daily living, we light this candle of Joy.
ACL Reader: For all whose disappointment, struggles, and pain runs deep, we light this candle of Joy.
ACL Reader: Our question today at the scene of the nativity is this: How can we proclaim joy and become deep joy for those who need it most in such a time as this?
ACL Reader: What child IS this? This, this, is Christ the King, the source of Joy who reigns now and forever!
[The Advent Candle Lighters return to the pews as the music begins and we sing.]
Congregation Sings
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Call to Worship
Leader: In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up, then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
People: and the Word was God.
Leader: All things came into being through him,
People: and without him not one thing came into being.
Leader: What has come into being in him was life,
People: and the light was the light of all people.
All: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
God Almighty, We Are Waiting – Congregational Singing
(music by Rowland Prichard, words by Ann Bell Worley)
THE PATRIARCHS
The story of Abram and Sarah (Genesis 12)
The story of Moses and the family of Jethro (Exodus 2)
The story of Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3)
THE PROPHESIES
The peaceful kingdom (Isaiah 9 and 11)
A Litany for Advent – (English folk melody, words and arr. Shirley W. McRae)
A new ruler from Bethlehem (Micah 5 and 6)
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
The Angel and Mary (Luke 1)
Zechariah’s Prophecy (Luke 1)
Bethlehem (Luke 2)
O Little Town of Bethlehem – UMH #230 vs. 1&3
The Camel Song – (adapted from a song by Pam Ernest)
THE GOOD NEWS
The Shepherds and the Angels (Luke 2)
Fum, Fum, Fum – (Traditional Catalonian Carol, arr. by John D Miller)
Message – The Contagious Upward Spiral of Joy – Pastor Jim
Offering Our Gifts to God
Offertory – Joseph Is Well Married – Kevin Miller, baroque flute, Hannah Gorham, violin
*Doxology – Star Child – TFWS #2095
*Prayer of Dedication
THE YOUNG CHILD
The Magi (Matthew 2)
The Escape to Egypt (Matthew 2)
THE SENDING FORTH
Breathing Life into Hope
Take This Light – (words and music by Mark Patterson)
Blessing
A Merry Christmas/The Storyteller – (Traditional Irish Tunes)
Hannah Gorham, violin, Kevin Miller, bodhrán
Resources for Worship
Breathing Life into Hope is a Christmas pageant written by Kevin Miller for worship at Kent UMC, December 14, 2025.
Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy is by Jim Head-Corliss for worship at Kent UMC, December 14, 2025, adapted from Marcia McFee (Worship Design Studio/What Child Is This/05a Advent 1).