BETHANY SERVICE December 14, 2025 10:30 AM
WELCOME AND GREETINGS
PRELUDE “Angels We Have Heard on High” Donna Rhine
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in
the Lord their God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all
that is in them;
People: It is God who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the
oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.
Leader: The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the
blind.
People: The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the
righteous.
Leader: The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the
widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
People: The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!
INVOCATION
*HYMN “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” #89
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Barb Laraia & Linda Dumbauld
Reader: In the midst of our waiting and longing for God to make the world
right again, we cling to the truth that God has saved, God is saving, and God will save.
So today, we join our voices with the prophet Isaiah, who calls us to live in the joy of
the truth of God’s salvation.
All: We choose to believe that the day is coming when “the ransomed of the
LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon
their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall
flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)
Reader: We light this candle of joy as a sign of the Truth that sets us free to
live in joy as we wait and work for the day when all creation will flourish
together.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRESENTING OUR GIFTS TO THE LORD
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN “Blessed Be the God of Israel” #209
BLESSING THE READING AND HEARING OF THE WORD
FIRST TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 35:1-10 Joan Strait
GOSPEL READING Matthew 11:2-6 Joan Strait
Liturgist: This is the word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
SERMON “The Highway of Joy” Pastor Dave
*HYMN “Angels We Have Heard on High” #238
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Winter Wonderland” Donna Rhine