First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES Liturgist
With the writers of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we tell the good news of Jesus Christ, the child of Bethlehem, who came to save us, and is coming again to rule in glory.
On each occasion the lighting of the candles is concluded with:
The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory. Alleluia!
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
Behold! a teenage girl is pregnant with the God who knit her in her own mother’s womb,
strange signs from a strange God who upturns expectations.
She said yes to divine revolution even though it meant social condemnation,
strange signs from a strange God who upturns expectations.
God’s Spirit stokes subversive dreams in us to help us defy the status quo,
strange signs from a strange God who upturns expectations. Amen.
HYMN #
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
God comes to us just as we are, with all our triumphs, our worries, our gratitude, and our failures. We deepen our relationship with God now by drawing close and confessing our sins.
Shepherd of our souls, we anticipate your coming but do not feel ready. We have done too much and not done enough. We have focused too much on ourselves, and not enough on others. Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we might be saved.
Emmanuel did not come into this world to condemn, but to save.
God does not come to imprison us, but to set us free.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
Through this abundant love, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 7:10-16 Liturgist
10Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” 13Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. 15He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 1:18-25 Rev. Brian Copeland
18Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered here, in the house of the Lord, let us pray for the coming of Christ’s realm.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
Eternal God, as we wait for the fulfillment of your reign, use these gifts and the gifts of our lives to bring justice to those who are oppressed, to set free those who are in prison, to lift up those who are bowed down, and to uphold those who are vulnerable. Amen.
HYMN #
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
*Large print bulletins are available. Please ask the greeter.
Reminders:
Loose change from the fourth quarter will go to the Honor Flight
Dec. 21 – Longest Night service, 7 pm, MFPC
Dec. 28 – Lynne Jacques will be the substitute minister
Jan. – March – worship will be held in the Fellowship Hall
Jan. 12 – Committee reports due
Jan. 25 – Congregational Meeting
