Front Royal Presbyterian Church

December 21, 2025, 10:30 am

Leading Us in Worship Today

Minister of Word and Sacrament – Rev. Jaci Smith Patman

Advent Candlelighters – The Mix Family:

Usi, Liam & Kellan

Liturgist – Zach Logan

Organist/Director of Music – Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Prelude Savior of the Nations, Come (florid)

Johann Sebastian Bach

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer & Gathering #99 My Soul Gives Glory to My God, vs. 1

Advent Candlelighting

Children of God, what are we waiting for?

We wait for love that casts out fear, love that heals what hatred has torn, love that binds neighbor to neighbor and stranger to friend. We wait for love embodied in Christ, a love fierce, tender and eternal.

Sung Response #110 Love Has Come, vs. 3

Call to Worship Zach Logan

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Lift every valley, lift every voice.

Prepare the way of the Lord!

And all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.

Opening Hymn #97 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

(Please remain standing through the Sung Response)

Call to Confession

In Jesus Christ, God seeks to smooth those places made rough by sin. With humility and hope, let us make our confession.

Prayer of Confession

Great God, as we behold the birth of Jesus again, we are mindful of how we have failed to receive the fullness of that gift. The story points us to your glory. Yet, we struggle to join in the song of praise and thanksgiving. We are distracted and confused, so focused on things that matter little that we overlook the good news of great joy that you have prepared. Tell us again that the Savior is born. Tell us again that we are forgiven. Tell us again that our lives can be abundant in faith, hope and love because of what you have given us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace

Friends, hear the Good News: God’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Before we change our ways, God’s love has already claimed us as God’s own. Proclaim with me the Good News of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.

Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.

Sung Response #109 Blest Be the God of Israel, vs. 3

Sermon for Faith Builders

Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ms. Marisa. They will return during the final hymn.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory Magnificat Verse Johann Speth

Sung Response #102 Savior of the Nations, Come, vs. 4

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #2092 like a child

Scripture Reading Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)

Anthem 107 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn

[Congregation is invited to sing on vs. 4.]

Sermon Waiting for Our Savior: A Portrait of Faith and Faithfulness

Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

Affirmation of Faith - The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Closing Hymn #100 My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout

Benediction

Postlude Dear Nightingale, Awake! Trad. German/Robert J Powell