Preparing for worship on the Sunday before Christmas - December 21 2014

As we prepare for worship on this fourth Sunday of Advent I am moved by the message God has laid upon my heart.  Last Sunday was an awesome day at NRN with high attendance and a great cooperation in ministry as the presentation of WNRN took place. I now realize that many people are beginning their Christmas travel to be with family.


The message in my heart for this Sunday and for Christmas Eve at 5:00pm will be special for all who attend.  This Sunday I plan to share the Love Story of Christmas.

We begin with a welcome to all in attendance.  Then we give our attention to the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath. This is the Candle of LOVE.  We pray: O God of Love, Immanuel, send your light into our hearts this day.  Fill our hearts with the love of God that we might love one another and thus bless your name. May your perfect love cast out all fear.  May our time of worship be pleasing unto you and may we celebrate your love and show forth your love to the whole world both today and forevermore, in Jesus name, AMEN

Now we stand and offering our praise to the Lord through songs:







We pause to greet one another and share the love of Christ in a greeting.  It is good to be in the House of the Lord.  On this Sunday before Christmas we celebrate the love of God.

We now gather in prayer to remember those who mourn, those who are heart broken, those who need a personal encounter with God.  We pray for those traveling.  We pray for those needed a medical miracle.  We pray in faith - believing God inclines His ears towards us as we pray and hears our cries to Him.  God loves us and wants to give good gifts to his children!   Commune with God during our time of prayer today!

We offer a song of worship as we close our time of prayer:





We once again pause to reflect upon the goodness of God in times of worship and service.
Hear the announcements of our church life courtesy of WNRN.

As we bring our financial gifts to the Lord we remember today that God so loved is that He GAVE.. we also give today in an expression of love to god to show He holds first place in our life.  WE offer a song of worship as we give.





Now hear the Word of the LORD......   The Pause for Love

(Check back here tomorrow after noon for my reflection of the sermon.)