The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths.
- The theme of this fourth Sunday of Advent is love
- Hold your hands over your heart and breathe in, “God is with me” and breathe out, “I am loved”
- Open your eyes, turn to your neighbor, and say to them: “You are loved!”
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Week Four: The Candle of Love
Reading 1:
Jesus is the light of hope
to a dark and weary world.
— Light one purple candle (the candle of Hope) —
Reading 2:
Jesus is the Prince of Peace
for all who are broken and lost.
— Light one purple candle (the candle of Peace) —
Reading 3:
Jesus is the everlasting joy
to a world burdened with sorrow.
— Light one pink candle (the candle of Joy) —
Reading 4:
Jesus is eternal love,
transforming our lives forever.
— Light the final purple candle (the candle of Love) —
Worship Songs
O Come Let Us Adore Him
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exaltation
O sing all ye
Citizens of Heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
O sing Alleluia
Come let us adore Him
Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all
Glory giv’n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy Light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When Lo! Above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us our Salvation
That blessed Christmas morn!
Advent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
Communion
Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Thank you to the Kim family for hosting our Christmas party last night!
- Christmas Offering: Our Christmas offering this year will support Justice Ventures International and World Relief Southern California! Our children will raised their own Christmas offering for pigs though World vision in the total of $180! You can give in person or via Tithely (and choose “Christmas 2025” from the drop-down menu).
- Winter Bible study will start up in the new year!
- Prayer for Pastor David: As Pastor David and Cierra move into the next chapter of their lives, we bless them & pray for their journey!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Reading of the Christmas Story
Reading 1
Isaiah 9:2; 6 (GNT)
The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them. You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. They rejoice in what you have done,
A child is born to us!
A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler.
He will be called,
“Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,”
“Eternal Father,”
“Prince of Peace.”
His royal power will continue to grow;
his kingdom will always be at peace.
He will rule as King David’s successor,
basing his power on right and justice,
from now until the end of time.
The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.
Reading 2
Luke 2:1-7 (CEB)
In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled.
Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Reading 3
Luke 2:8-16 (CEB)
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said together:
“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace to everyone who pleases God”
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Christmas Reflection
Conversation questions:
- What makes a house feel like home to you?
- Finish this sentence, home is where the _______ is.
- What would make church feel like “home” to you?
- How did Jesus help people experience home?
Worship Song
Open Up
May Your love
Cause us to open up
Cause us to open up our hearts
May Your light
Cause us to shine so bright
That we bring hope into the dark
All that we do without love
It means nothing
Grant us the courage to give
As You’re calling
Make me an instrument
Of Your peace
Where there is hatred
Let me sow love
Where there is darkness
Let me shine light and…
Hope for the hopeless
Your love is
Strength in our weakness
Your love is
May we love
As You love
Benediction
Gingerbread Neighborhood Build
Together
Anchor & Hope Church 