December 14, 2025 10AM
Gathering in-person as well as on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84796018939?pwd=qbqOdeZSiGJBdeUkUKlT4ZOiYLjIdY.1
Meeting ID: 847 9601 8939
Passcode: 386656
December 14, 2025
The way of man is to make the inhabited uninhabitable. The way of God is to take the barren and make it abundant.—John Oswalt
Those most vulnerable in society – like John in prison – receive the gospel, not only through words, but through actions and community relationships. Caring for those who are most vulnerable, oppressed, and ostracized is a sign of living out the good news, just as Jesus did throughout his ministry.—Karri Alldredge
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
Advent Candle Lighting
As we watch and wait for the dawning of Christ,
we light the Advent candles, dispelling the dark and
remembering the promises of God with prayer.
Today we light the candle of Joy.
We can rejoice knowing that even as we wait for His final coming,
“The Lord our God is with us, He is mighty to save.”
Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness.
Come, my Life, and revive me from death.
Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds.
Come, Flame of divine love, and burn up the thorns of my sins,
kindling my heart with the flame of your love.
Come, my King, sit upon the throne of my heart and reign there,
for you alone are my King and my Lord.
Amen.
*Opening Songs:
10,000 Reasons
Chorus:
Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
Chorus
You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Chorus
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Chorus
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (#133 v. 1, 2, 5)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, thou Rod of Jesse,
Free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;
Fill all the world with heaven's peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Unison Prayer of Preparation
Ruth Burgess
Bright star-maker God, travel with us through Advent.
Shine into our dark corners. Lead us into ways of justice.
Warm us with joy and wonder. Bring us to new birth.
Mary, Did You Know?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day walk on water
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters
Did you know
That your baby boy
Has come to make you new
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Would give sight to the blind man
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Would calm a storm with His hand
Did you know
That your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God
Oh Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations
Did you know
That your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb
And the sleeping Child you're holding
Is the great I Am
Kids Dismissed for Faith Explorers
Scripture— Isaiah 35:1-10 (pg. 578) and Matthew 11:2-11 (pg. 792)
Sermon
Rev. Patrick Vaughn
Sacred Silence
Beautiful Things
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change
At all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground
At all
Chorus:
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found
In You
Chorus (2x)
Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer
*Closing Song:
We Are Not Overcome
Flesh will fail and bones will break
Thieves will steal the earth will shake
Night will fall the light will fade
The Lord will give and take away
Put no trust in the earth
In the sod you stand upon
Flowers fade into dust
The Lord will make a place for us
Because of His great Love we are not overcome
Because of His great Love we are not overcome
Have no fear for your life
Turn your cheek turn your cheek
Bear the yoke of love and death
The Lord will give all life and breath
Because of His great Love we are not overcome
Because of His great Love we are not overcome
Blessing & Sending
*Please stand as you are able
Liturgist: Wayne Kenney
Musicians: Christina Po, David and Pamm Franzwa
Upcoming Events and Announcements:
Christmas Eve Service: December 24th, 5pm
Tithes & Offerings: If you would like to make a financial offering you can give online:
https://epc-bothell.churchcenter.com/giving