| BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH December 22, 2024 Fourth Sunday of Advent Prelude Music—The First Noel–Abby and Caleb Koontz The Avalanche–Emerson Gering O Little Town of Bethlehem, White Christmas, Somewhere in My Memory– Lincoln Kohlman, saxophone Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy–Olivia and Verlene Garber We Three Kings–Miles Brubacher Advent Candle Lighting—Dick and Barb Koontz and grandchildren Scripture Reading—Luke 1:30-35 Litany: We gather in holy space to hear holy words: Do not be afraid. We gather in holy time to hear a holy promise: Mary’s son will reign forever. We gather in this holy moment to sense the holy in our midst: Let the Holy Spirit come upon us. Let the power of the Most High overshadow us. Let us worship the Holy One with anticipation and joy Lighting the candle of Power Welcome & Prayer—Joanna Harader *Hymn—Joy to the World—VT 240 Worship Music—Der Friedenfurst (CE Leslie) Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist Prayers of God’s People—Joanna Harader *Hymn–There is a Line of Women—VT 546 Intergenerational Story-Telling Scene 1–Mary’s Home *Hymn—To Us a Child of Hope Is Born—VT 259 Scene 2–Elizabeth’s Home Hymn—Magnificat— VT 97–Lucy Burch, flute Remain seated. Children will sing through once. Congregation joins on Canon I in a round as directed. Scene 3–Shepherd’s Camp Hymn—Angels We Have Heard on High—VT 249 Handbells: Faith Burch, Olivia Garber, Ethan Garber, Lincoln Kohlman, Brett Gaeddert and Miles Brubacher Scene 4 Hymn—Solemn Stillness, Weary Street—VT 276 Bethany Schrag, Suzanne Burch, John Mark Koontz, Simon Koontz (The congregation is invited to join on the chorus after verses 2 & 3) Litany Benediction Congregational response: “We are wonders, blessed wonders.” Postlude—Toccata on Joy to the World (Brenda Portman) Will Wiebe-Friesen* You are invited to stand VT = Voices Together Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen Audio visual—Ben Lichti Sunday’s anthem, “Der Friedensfürst,” is a favorite of many German-speaking Mennonite congregations, particularly those in Latin America and Canada. It was composed by an American in English (“The Prince of Peace”) and subsequently translated into German in the 1890’s. It was written in the popular style of the day and is dearly loved by those who grew up with it. The paraphrased text contains these words: Listen, the angel choirs are singing, to you oh mighty Prince of Peace! To us a child is born today, and his glory fills the wide world. And he is called wonderful, the Prince of peace. Glory to God in the highest, and peace—God’s peace—on earth. Sing Hosanna! Amen. |
Bethel College Mennonite Church
A congregation of Mennonite Church USA in North Newton, Kansas
