* Denotes all are invited to stand.
Bold text indicates portions of the service to be spoken or sung by the congregation.
December 21, 2025
Longest Night
Music for Gathering:
Brian Jay, Organist
Welcome & Announcements:
Rev. Aaron J. White
Minute for Mission:
Visit to Nicaragua | Bob Keefer
Introit:
PCM Bell Choir
Call to Worship:
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
We come, longing for light in our longest nights.
God meets Ahaz in his fear, and meets Joseph in his worry.
God meets us in our questions and our hope.
A child is promised! Immanuel! “God is with us!”
In this promise, we find courage for the days ahead.
Come, people of God!
Let us worship the One who draws near.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Hymn #137 “We Came Down”
Led by: The Kastrick Family
Please see screens for congregational response.
* Hymn #104 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”
A Prayer of Lamentation:
Beverly Shelton, Worship Leader
Faithful God, we come before you as we are— tired from waiting, uncertain about the road ahead, carrying griefs we did not choose and questions we cannot answer. Like the house of David, we long for reassurance. Like Joseph,
we wrestle with fear and responsibility. Like generations before us, we cry out, “Restore us, O God; let your face shine.” In this season of expectation, meet us in the shadows. Hold us when hope feels fragile. Speak to us again your promise that we are not forgotten, that we are not alone, that you are still at work even when we cannot yet see the way forward. We offer you our lament, trusting that you receive it with mercy and love. Amen.
Silence for personal confession.
* Promise of God’s Restoration:
God does not abandon those who wait in the dark. The Holy One speaks hope into fear, offers signs in uncertain times, and comes to dwell among us. The child shall be called Immanuel— God is with us.
Even in the longest night, God is with us.
Even in uncertainty and weariness, God is with us.
We wait in hope, trusting in God’s restoring love. Amen.
* Song of Praise #583 “Gloria, Gloria”
Please see Sanctuary screens for lyrics.
* Passing the Peace
Prayer for Illumination:
Beverly Shelton, Worship Leader
First Scripture:
Isaiah 7:10-16
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Anthem:
“The Song of Christmas”
PCM Bell Choir
Second Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-25
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Time for the Children:
Rev. Aaron J. White
Sermon:
Rev. Aaron J. White
* Hymn #92 “While We Are Waiting, Come”
Please see screens for lyrics.
An Advent Pathway of Light and Prayers
Litany for the Advent Pathway
God of every journey, you have seen the lights we placed along this path—each one a prayer, each one a name, each one a story held in your love.
Receive these lights, O God, as signs of our trust in you.
As we wait for Christ’s coming, bind us together as companions on the way.
Make us bearers of love and peace.
Where there is impatience, teach us patience. Where there is pain, teach us gentleness. Where there is fear, teach us compassion.
Make us signs of hope in the longest night.
Send us to walk faithfully with those for whom we pray— with kindness, hospitality, courage, and care—
until the day when every shadow is lifted and your light shines fully among us.
We commit ourselves to this way of love, trusting in the One who is called Immanuel—God with us.
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Congregation Response: hear our prayer
Invitation to Discipleship
* Hymn #105 “People, Look East”
Please see screens for lyrics.
* Charge & Blessing
May the God of love, the Christ who is Immanuel, and the Spirit who breathes courage be with you, this day and always.
Alleluia! Amen!
* Music for departing
Today’s Scripture readings are from the Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation. © 2007 Priests for Equality.
Liturgy for today’s worship service is adapted with permission from the following sources: Liturgy used when “Lighting the Advent Wreath” from Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts. Vol 56.1 (digital version) © 2022 The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “Prayer for Illumination” and “Blessing” from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press. “Invitation to Discipleship” and “Charge” from Connections Worship Companion, Year A, Volume 1. © 2022 Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. All other liturgy from Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts. Vol 59.1 (online version) © 2025 The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).