Advent Service of Lessons and Carols
for December 3, 2023 thru December 24, 2023

Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone

Music Director: Travis Oaks

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In the late 1800's, English cathedrals and churches developed a service of worship for the Advent/Christmas season that presented the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus in Nine short Bible readings alternating with the singing of appropriate hymns and carols. This format of "Nine Lessons and Carols" for telling the story of Jesus' coming (Advent) into our world grew in popularity and has become a standard for many denominations over the past 140 years. The UMC Book of Worship includes a Christmas Eve Service in this format and the UMC Discipleship Ministries (UDM) has provided services in this format for Advent and Christmas Eve.

This service of "Seven Lessons" adapts the UDM "Advent Service of Lessons and Carols" to the style of Bethel's online services.

We hope you will find it to be a welcome addition to your celebration of this Advent Season.

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A Few Instructions
Each part of this online service consists of an audio file and, for most, a Link to a pdf file of "projection slides". Click on the symbol to play the audio file under a separate browser tab or in a new window. Then select the "Bethel Advent Lessons and Carols" browser tab or return to this window to open the Link to the "slides". It is best to stop the playing of one Audio segment and close its tab or window before starting another. -------------------------- This service provides 9 opportunities for singing a carol/hymn, with one song for each Lesson. It includes all 15 of the songs suggested in the UDM "Advent Service of Lessons and Carols", leaving the choice of songs up to you. All of them come from our Methodist Hymnal. The songs marked with an asterisk * provide one set of 9 distinct "Carols" to use for the service. Of course, you may choose any one or multiple songs to sing between the lessons. Take your time. We will wait for you.

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• . Slides - WELCOME

• PROCESSIONAL HYMN
  . Verses - * "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus" . (UMH 196)
  . Verses - "Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus" . (UMH 197)
  . Verses - "People Look East" . (UMH 202)
  

• . Slides - The Bidding Prayer & Lord's Prayer

• . Verses - CAROL - * "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs 1-4)" . (UMH 211)

• . FIRST LESSON - Isaiah 40:1–8
  To God's people in exile in a faraway land, the prophet Isaiah announces good news: God is coming back, and bringing the exiles home!
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - "O Come, O Come Emmanuel (vs 1-3)" . (UMH 211)
    • . Verses - "Prepare the Way of the Lord" . (UMH 207)
    • . Verses - * "All The Earth is Waiting (Toda la Tierra)" . (UMH 210)

• . SECOND LESSON - Jeremiah 23:5-6
  The prophet Jeremiah offers hope for a righteous branch, a just king who is yet to come.
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - "Emmanuel, Emmanuel (2 Reps)" . (UMH 204)
    • . Verses - "O Come, O Come Emmanuel (vs 4-6)" . (UMH 211)
    • . Verses - * "Hail to the Lord's Annointed" . (UMH 203)

• . THIRD LESSON - Zechariah 9:9–10
  To a nation grown weary of war and weapons, God promises a king who will establish a reign of peace.
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - * "Blessed Be the God of Israel" . (UMH 209)
    • . Verses - "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" . (UMH 196)

• . FOURTH LESSON - Haggai 2:6–9
  The prophet Haggai promises to God's people a temple even more glorious than the temple of old.
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - * "Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates" . (UMH 213)

• . FIFTH LESSON - Isaiah 35:1–6
  The prophet Isaiah announces the renewal both of the land and of God's people on the coming day of redemption.
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - "Blessed Be the God of Israel" . (UMH 209)
    • . Verses - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (All verses)" . (UMH 211)
    • . Verses - * "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" . (UMH 216)

• . SIXTH LESSON - Luke 1:26–35,38
  The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to a ruler whose reign shall never end
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - "My Soul Gives Glory to My God" . (UMH 198)
    • . Verses - "Tell Out, My Soul" . (UMH 200)
    • . Verses - * "To a Maid Engaged to Joseph" . (UMH 215)
    • . Verses - "Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus" . (UMH 197)

• . SEVENTH LESSON - Mark 1:1–15
  Jesus proclaims the coming of the kingdom of God.
  • CAROL
    • . Verses - "Blessed Be the God of Israel" . (UMH 209)
    • . Verses - * "When Jesus Came to Jordan" . (UMH 252)

• . Slides . COLLECT (All Together)

• . DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
  Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.

• . GOING FORTH
  

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Please let us know of any problems you have with or suggestions about this site by sending an email to "bumctlh@gmail.com". If you have any prayer concerns you would like included in next week's service you may contact Pastor Ralph Wrightstone directly at: 850-591-9785