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In celebration this week: It’s the fourth Sunday of Advent and we hope to see you for Celebration, whether online or in person in the sanctuary! We will continue to be inside but we have upgraded the furnace’s filtration system so will not need to have the windows open. Also, one side of the sanctuary will have the blue tape removed so people can sit with friends as they feel comfortable. The other side will remain socially distanced seating for those who prefer to remain socially distanced. If joining us in person isn’t possible or comfortable for you, plan to join us on zoom. As we return to the sanctuary, please see the note below the service information about vaccination status.

• Marcia will offer a prelude, “From Heaven Above, to Earth I Come”, arrangement by Wilbur Held
• As we prepare to light the Advent Wreath, we will sing the processional song, “While We Are Waiting, Come”.
• Next is the responsive reading as the advent wreath is lit, led by the Thompson family.
• The opening hymn is, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”,
• Debbie Dille will lead us in a Prayer for Peace, a “Blue Christmas Prayer”, then
• Ben will welcome us to Celebration,
• Debbie will lead us in the scripture reading, Luke 2: 1-5, then
• Talitha will share a special “Art Show Reflection”, and we will sing verses of “The First Nowell” between reflections.
• Next, the MPC Choir, led by Kim, will present, “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree”, arranged by Alan Bullard,
• Ben will lead us in a Pastoral Prayer, after which
• a Minute for Mission will be presented by Pat Schwinn on the “Christmas Joy Offering”.
• Offering,
• Invitations.
• The closing hymn is “People, Look East”, and then
• Debbie will lead us in the Charge and Talitha will offer a benediction.
• Marcia will offer the postlude, “In Dulci Jubilo”, arranged by Wilbur Held, then
• Ushers will dismiss the congregation row by row.

The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Celebration live stream recordings Every week, we post a live stream recording to YouTube. You can view information about those live stream recordings and access a link to the playlist on our Celebration Recordings page.

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