Worship Bulletin

4th Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2025

10 a.m. Worship

Prelude instrumentalists, Virginia Crowe, Matthew Brooks, Hannah English, Katherine Wilkinson

Announcements

Confession & Forgiveness

Opening Song "African Advent Carol” Choir & Dancers; Clara Beery, Anna Crowe, Anna Knoy, Norah Nowacki

Greeting

Prayer of the Day

Lighting of the Wreath "We Wait in Hope"

Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16

10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore 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. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For 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.” The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Reading: Romans 1:1-7

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 1st chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

18 Now 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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Children's Program

Prayers of Intercession

Offering & Special Music: "The Best Christmas Medley" Grace Notes Bell Choir

Offertory Hymn: “As the Grains of Wheat” ELW 465

Offertory Prayer

Great Thanksgiving

Words of Institution

Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Communion

Communion Hymns: "Come Now, O Prince of Peace" ELW 247

"Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness" ELW 488

"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" ELW 490

Post Communion Blessing

Prayer after Communion

Sending Hymn: “Christmas Angels” Adult & Children's Choir

Dismissal

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958

Weekly Calendar

**Please note—Sundays, December 28 and January 4 there will be ONE service at 10 a.m.

Sunday, December 21—10 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 11 a.m. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), Christmas Caroling following worship

Wednesday, December 24— 4 & 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship

Thursday, December 25 & Friday, December 26—Office is closed

Sunday, December 28—10 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 11 a.m. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex

End of Year contributions: Must be postmarked by December 31, 2025

Announcements:

Why CIC? In following up from Pastor Michael & Pastor Lisa's December Newsletter article, Susan Kullstam will share a Temple Talk today describing the Purpose & Values conversation that the Church Council began in November. For the next 3 Sundays, members will be invited to share their top 3 descriptive words which they feel articulate why they chose to join CIC and/or why they continue to stay.

Have you joined CIC's new online photo directory yet? The directory is through a program called Church Center, which

is also an app. Follow the QR code to get started.

Office Update: Please note that the church office will have varying office hours following Christmas. Please stay tuned to future updates. If you would like to show the church staff a token of appreciation during the Christmas Season, you can contribute to a staff gift using the designated blue offering envelope or the “Donate Now” button on the church website. The gift is divided between Pastor Lisa, Pastor Michael, Sherry Malia, Stephanie Wheeler, and Madalyn Wilkinson by the Finance Committee in January.

December Grocery Cart: Stay tuned for January's cart donation. Your generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of many in and around our neighborhood.

Preschool Registration for 2025/2026: Tuitions for 2025/2026: $320.00 for 2-year-old classes, $300 for 3-year-old classes, $350.00

for 4-year-old & PK class and $360 for TK class. Tuition is due on the 1st of the month, with a one time supply fee of $55, due with the

first payment.

Calling All Community Helpers: At CIC Weekday Preschool, we LOVE learning about the people who work in our community! We’re looking for “community helpers” to visit our preschoolers and give a short, fun talk about what they do. In the past, we’ve had visits from a pilot, a dentist, a chef, a nurse, and more. The kids are always full of questions and love the experience. If you or someone you know has a job that would wow a group of curious 2- to 5-year-olds, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!

Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.

Card Ministry: We will not be meeting during the month of December but it you’d like to work on some cards at home please let Kathy know and we can get some card kits to you. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.

Quilting Ministry: The Quilting group will not meet in December. We will resume meeting on January 8 and again on January 22 in Classroom 1@ 10:00 AM. Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.

All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one

another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet monthly between services to discuss ways we can

continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Tracy Lyon (vikingtk@hotmail.com) or

Susan Kullstam (skulls01@me.com) with any questions.

Please refer to the newsletter for ways to connect with this group.

Christmas Eve: Celebrate the Newborn King at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m.!

The 4 p.m. service will have prelude music beginning at 3:30 p.m. Come early and enjoy a range of musical offerings from CIC vocalists, CIC student musicians, and our Christmas Eve bell choir. .
The 7 p.m. service we will have a brass ensemble consisting of Chad White, Trumpet; Josh Hinrich, French horn; and Cornelius Logan, trombone. Linda Dumizo will also be back with us on her flute. Please come early as the musical prelude will begin at 6:30.
Both services will have Holy Communion and candle lighting.
Poinsettias will be available to take home after the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve or the week after Christmas. Please call the office to make arrangements to pick up.