December 7, 2025

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE

PRELUDE                                                                  “Geistliches Wiegenlied”                                         Johannes Brahms

                                                                          (“Sacred Cradle-Song”) from Two Songs, Op. 91

WELCOME                                                                   

One: This is the day that the Lord has made

All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

*CANDLE LIGHTING                                                             Kya Angle and Lizzy Vologzhanin

Advent is not a season of quiet waiting, but of holy defiance.

To light a candle in the dark is to resist the darkness with hope.

With every small flame we kindle, we say again:

Despair does not get the final word.

(Candle is lit)

Today we light a candle to resist despair.

In a world that feels dry and weary, God breathes life again —

sometimes as wind, sometimes as whisper,

and sometimes as a song rising from tired lungs.

This candle shines for all who need breath restored,

for all who long to feel their bones gather and strengthen,

for all who need a melody of hope to lift them.

This light is a quiet act of rebellion, a flame of holy resistance,

a reminder that even in the valley of dry bones, the song of God is still being sung

and life is already beginning to rise.

*HYMN 100                       “My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout”            CANTICLE OF THE TURNING

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE   Ezekiel 37:1-14  CEB

The Lord’s power overcame me, and while I was in the Lord’s spirit, he led me out and set me down in the middle of a certain valley. It was full of bones. He led me through them all around, and I saw that there were a great many of them on the valley floor, and they were very dry.

He asked me, “Human one, can these bones live again?”

I said, “Lord God, only you know.”

 He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, Dry bones, hear the Lord’s word!  The Lord God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again.  I will put sinews on you, place flesh on you, and cover you with skin. When I put breath in you, and you come to life, you will know that I am the Lord.”

I prophesied just as I was commanded. There was a great noise as I was prophesying, then a great quaking, and the bones came together, bone by bone.  When I looked, suddenly there were sinews on them. The flesh appeared, and then they were covered over with skin. But there was still no breath in them.

 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, human one! Say to the breath, The Lord God proclaims: Come from the four winds, breath! Breathe into these dead bodies and let them live.”

 I prophesied just as he commanded me. When the breath entered them, they came to life and stood on their feet, an extraordinarily large company.

He said to me, “Human one, these bones are the entire house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely finished.’  So now, prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims: I’m opening your graves! I will raise you up from your graves, my people, and I will bring you to Israel’s fertile land. You will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people.  I will put my breath in you, and you will live. I will plant you on your fertile land, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve spoken, and I will do it. This is what the Lord says.”

One: Holy wisdom, Holy Word,
All: Thanks be to God

HOMILY                                                                                                   Rev. Trip Porch 

ANTHEM                                                                           "Christmas Oratorio"                               Camille Saint-Saëns   1835-1921

                  Soloists: Skye Johnson, Betsy Tullis, Mary Rebekah Fortman, William Hughes, Marlon Haughton

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

PASTORAL PRAYER

TIME OF OFFERING   online giving is available at  www. indianolapres.org/give

OFFERTORY                          “Savior of the Nations Come”                           Sondra K. Tucker

                                                                              from Advent Suite for Handbells                            The Chancel Bells                                 

OFFERTORY RESPONSE 79       “Light Dawns on a Weary World” verse 1              TEMPLE OF CHRIST 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

Holy Breath of God, take these gifts and take our lives. Use them to bring hope where there is despair, light where there is weariness, and life where things feel dry and broken. Make us instruments of your healing and your joy. Amen.

*HYMN 82                               “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”                            HYFRYDOL

 TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE                     “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”                   arr. Sally DeFord

 Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452