Welcome & Announcements

Prelude     “Carol of the Bells”    Grace Ringers

Lighting the Candle of Peace   (8:00)  Valerie Byars     (10:15)  The Dittmer Family

First Scripture Reading       Isaiah 43: 19-21

Call to Worship:
Family of faith, God is at work!
God is healing and creating,
redeeming and dreaming,
calling and sending,
listening and loving.
Yes, indeed, God is at work!
So may we worship our God who never gives up.
May we worship our God who holds onto hope.  Amen.

**Hymn      #250  “Hymn of Promise”

**Call to Confession

**Prayer of Confession
On-the-move God, we have every reason to hold onto hope. We have every reason to believe that spring will come, that flowers will bloom, that the sun will rise. And yet, too often hope slips through our fingers. With anxious hearts we cry out to you, “Will change ever come? Will things ever get better? Will I ever make a difference?” Soothe our wandering hearts and show us the places where the sun is shining. Show us the places where you are on the move. With open hearts we pray, amen.

**Words of Forgiveness
Family of faith, in our honesty, we are heard. In our worries, we are held. In our failings, we are forgiven. In our fear, we are not alone. Friends, this is the good news of the gospel! When we’re running out of hope, God is still at work. Thanks be to God! Amen.

**Affirmation of Faith
We have seen the valley.   We have seen a sky without stars.  We have seen the longest night, and still we believe.  We believe in a with-us God.  We believe in the hope of tomorrow.  We believe that good news is louder than fear.  We believe this good news is for all people.  So even when our knees shake, even when our voice trembles, even when fear is all around us, we will hold onto that good news.  We will reach for each other.  We will look for God in our midst.  We will sing songs of joy.  We will proclaim: Unto us, love is born.  We have seen the longest night, and we have seen unimaginable love.  So still, we believe.  Amen.

Time with Young Disciples (10:15)

Anthem (10:15)    "This Child Shall Be Our Peace”     Grace Notes Choir

Second Scripture Reading       Matthew 11: 1-11

Message

Communion
Invitation to the Table - Great Prayer of Thanksgiving with the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Words of Institution - Sharing the Bread and Cup – Prayer

**Hymn     "Looking Out a Prison Window”                    TUNE:  IRBY

**Benediction

**Choral Reflection     TUNE:  STUTTGART
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.

Postlude

**congregation standing in body or spirit
congregational responses in bold

lyrics printed with permission under One License #A-737483 and CCLI License #2545718
worship liturgy written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org