Welcome! May God greatly bless you. If you are looking for a church home,
please consider Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
December 14, 2025 Third Sunday of Advent 10:30 A. M.
Announcements
Prelude Lighting of the Candles
Opening Scripture Sentence: Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come to save you.” From Isaiah 35:4
*Opening Prayer Pastor
*Call to Worship Responsive Reading, Psalm 146:5-10
Leader: Blessed is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.
All: For God is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them --- the Lord who remains faithful forever.
Leader: He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free; He gives sight to the blind; He lifts up those who are bowed down.
All: The Lord loves the righteous. He watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!
*The Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful No. 188
(All Verses)
Light the Advent Candle of Joy
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
Just and Gracious God, come into our emptiness when our lives seem like a desert wasteland. We feel empty because we fail to seek your Highway of Holiness. Forgive our false pride and pretensions. Still our impatient spirits. Quiet our grumbling. Enter our lives with grace and mercy. In fearful hearts, plant seeds of faith in the Risen Christ, that we may find joy as the Redeemed of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon Pastor
And the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion, singing with everlasting joy, as sorrow and sighing flee away. (Isaiah 35:10) Jesus, the Messiah, has done this! Praise his holy name!
*Hymn of the Month Ring the Bells No. 203
(All Verses)
Our Giving to the Lord Pastor
God invites us to share the blessings he has poured out on us. He judges us, not according to worldly standards of greatness, but according to the genuineness of our faith. Our offerings are one measure of our priorities. We give to extend the ministry of Jesus.
*Offertory, Doxology and Offertory Prayer
*The Hymn While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks No. 197
(All Verses)
Sharing of Blessings and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer Pastor
Followed by The Lord’s Prayer
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
Second Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:1-11
Leader: This is the Holy Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God for His Holy Word.
Sermon “Questions of Joy: Who, What, Why, and How?”
Rev. Cindy Barton
*The Hymn Hark! the Herald Angels Sing No. 191
(All Verses)
*Benediction
*Retrieval of the Light
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.
*Postlude