Call To Worship
In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.
Yet you have rejected us and abased us… You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us.
All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten you, or been false to your covenant.
Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way,
Yet you have broken us in the haunt of the jackals and covered us with deep darkness.
Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever!
Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
For we sink down to the dust, our bodies cling to the ground.
Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.
                                                                                                      (Psalm 44:8, 9a, 12, 13, 17-19, 23-26).
Pastor's Welcome
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Prelude:     “What Child Is This”
                                    Composed by Timothy Albrecht    Dr. Silviya Mateva - Organist
Bringing in the Light of Christ
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Lighting of the Christ Candle on the Advent Wreath
   Sermon -                          "Absent"                        Rev Dr Jim Moran
Please let us know Your Comments:
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Benediction 
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Postlude :   “Savior of the Nations, Come”
Composed by Nicholas Vetter   Dr. Silviya Mateva – Organist
Liturgy of the Psalms, Prayer, and Lighting Candles of 
Petition & Remembrance
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Litany of Hope (Taken from Isaiah 61:1, 9:2; 60:19-20)
The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his spirit;
Out of the darkness, I seek a great light.
The Lord has made a solemn promise;
Out of the darkness, I seek a great light.
And by his power He will carry it out;
Out of the darkness, I seek a great light.
No longer will the sun be your light by day,
Or the moon be your light by night;
Out of the darkness, I seek a great light.
I, the Lord, will be your eternal light, the light of my glory will shine on you;
Out of the darkness, I seek a great light.
Your days of grief will come to an end.
Out of the darkness, I seek a great light.
I, the Lord, will be your eternal light.
Indeed, out of the darkness, I long to see a great light!
Prayer of Adoration and Illumination
O God of compassion, we lift our songs of adoration and praise for the gift of Your love we know in Your Son Jesus, Whom You gave to the world in His birth in Bethlehem and for the world in His crucifixion outside Jerusalem on Golgotha. Jesus knows our joys and our sorrows, and we do not walk this earthly life alone. Open our hurting hearts this joyous time of Christmas preparation to hope because of the presence of Jesus with us, while we grieve the loss of loved ones during these anxious days of being alone together. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, grant us ears to hear Your Word this night in the name of the Christ Child Jesus, who is not absent. Amen.