Welcome! May God greatly bless you. If you are looking for a church home,
please consider Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
December 21, 2025 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30 A. M.
Announcements
Prelude Lighting of the Candles
Opening Scripture Sentence: All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel – which means, “God with Us”. Matthew 1:22-23
*Opening Prayer Pastor
*Call to Worship Responsive Reading, Psalm 80:1-7
Leader: Hear us, O shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth…
All: Awaken your might; come and save us! Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved.
Leader: O Lord God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
All: You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
Leader: You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
All: Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved.
*The Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High No. 206
(All Verses)
Light the Advent Candle of Love
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
Gracious Lord, we confess that we long to be loved unconditionally, but we are reluctant to love others. We are ready to accept your gracious and patient forgiveness, but we refuse to forgive those who hurt us. We are eager to claim your mysterious love, but we do not follow you obediently and without question. Forgive our failure to respond to your love as we should. You sent Emmanuel as a sign of your love, and he promised to come again in the fullness of time. We seek forgiveness now so that we may receive Christ with clean hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon Pastor
“Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God with Us”. Christ’s birth is a sign of God’s reconciling love for his people and the fullness of His plan to save us from sin. Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23
*Hymn of the Month Ring the Bells No. 203
(All Verses)
Our Giving to the Lord Pastor
You know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty we might become rich. In recognition of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we also make sacrifices on behalf of others. From 2 Corinthians 8:9
*Offertory, Doxology and Offertory Prayer
*The Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem No. 200
(All Verses)
Sharing of Blessings and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer Pastor
Followed by The Lord’s Prayer
First Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Second Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-7
Leader: This is the Holy Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God for His Holy Word.
Sermon “God’s Mysterious Love: How Can We Explain It?”
Rev. Cindy Barton
*The Hymn Joy to the World! No. 194
(All Verses)
*Benediction
*Retrieval of the Light
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.
*Postlude