THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 14, 2025 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Bulalalow (8:30am)
Peter Warlock (1894-1930)
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (11:00am)
arr. Craig Phillips (b. 1961)
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Executive Minister
Lighting of the Third Advent Candle Mooney Family (8:30am); Goerner/Mills Family (11:00am)
Reader One: In a season marked by holiday cheer and festive merriment, we also face quiet struggles and hidden hardships.
Reader Two: The third candle is the candle of JOY. In the face of sadness, in the face of grief, in the face of suffering, we light this candle of joy.
(Light three candles on the Advent wreath.)
Reader One: Joy is like an underground spring that wells up within us. In a world weary with demands and tribulations, may the light from this candle inspire us to resist despair and fill us with a joy that overcomes adversity.
All: May the light from this candle brighten our spirits and transcend all heartbreak, declaring that God’s joy is on its way.
*Gathering Hymn 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You, Verse 3
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
When we allow darkness to overcome the light,
forgive us, Lord.
When hardness of heart keeps us from seeing
and trusting in You, let your grace fill us.
Forgive our doubt and renew our hope in Christ,
that we may watch and wait for His coming.
Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (Truro)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
Oh, Watch the Stars (8:30am)
arr. Moira Smiley (b. 1976)
Comfort, Comfort Now My People (11:00am)
Genevan Psalter, 1551
Text – Hymnal #87
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
O God, open our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit
so that the words of Scripture may become your Living Word. Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Luke 1:26–38 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 49)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Holy Grit
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Co-Pastor
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Peace with Me Now (8:30am)
Abbie Betinis (b. 1980)
Behold a Star Shall Come from Jacob (11:00am)
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Behold a star shall come from Jacob
And a scepter arise from Israel.
Behold a star shall come from Jacob
And dash in pieces, Princes and Nations.
Behold a star shall come from Jacob.
How brightly beams the morning star!
With sudden radiance from afar
With light and comfort glowing!
Thy Word, Jesus,
Truly feeds us, Rightly leads us, Life bestowing.
Praise, oh praise such love o’er flowing.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Sandy Prouty, Minister of Children & Families
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works. A continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response 144 In the Bleak Midwinter, Verse 4
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
88 O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Verses 1, 2 & 3 (Veni Emmanuel)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response (11:00am)
Creator of the Stars of Night
Sarum Plainsong
Postlude
Wachet auf
arr. A.D. Miller (b. 1972)
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
We invite you to make a Christmas Joy Offering using the envelopes that are distributed in the pews. Your donation to this PC(USA) special offering will provide assistance to church workers in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. You may also give online at specialofferings.pcusa.org. We will be collecting this offering through December 21.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Love Unbound: A Service of Remembrance
December 15 | 7:00pm (Sanctuary)
Our annual “Love Unbound” worship service is a gentle, contemplative service for those who are weary, grieving,
or in need of hope and comfort during this holiday season.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS AT MONTVIEW
Advent
Service of Lessons & Carols
December 21 | 8:30 & 11am
Sanctuary & 11am Livestream
Christmas Tea & Children’s Craft Fair
December 21 | 9:30am | Fellowship Hall
Christmas Eve
2pm & 4pm – Family Service
Sanctuary & 4pm Livestream
6pm & 8pm – Candlelight
Sanctuary & 6pm Livestream
7:15pm – Witness to the Light
(bring a candle and gather along Montview Blvd)
10pm – Candlelight with Choir
Sanctuary
December 28
One Service at 11am
Sanctuary
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays and Sandy Prouty
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
Soloist: Kali Paguirigan (8:30am)
Violin: Leena Waite (8:30am)
Reader: Kate Williams (8:30am)
Reader: Paul Ward (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Jolene Cranston; Cindi Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Susan Long (relative of Peggy Gonder); Sam Mateo; Eden Murphy; Lisa Padilla; Jim Polsfut; The Scherer Family (mourning the death of Betty Scherer); Jan Tazelaar; Kathryn Walton (daughter of MaryGrace Wake); Steve Wrenn (brother of Grover Wrenn)
Deaths
November 1 | Betty Scherer (Memorial Service January 8 at 2:00pm in the Miller Chapel)
Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or condition. Contact: caring@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
Flower Dedications
The flowers in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by Beverly Skinner in celebration of the Montview congregation and the children of Montview.
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am – 12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:30am
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Confirmation
Location: Confirmation Room
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
9:40am
Room at the Inn: Making Time for Spiritual Practice During Advent
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Montview’s Executive Minister
Location: Miller Chapel
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Second Floor
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers (Grades 6-12)
Location: Miller Chapel
4:00pm
JAM Christmas Party (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
6:00pm
MOB (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from the Youth Cellar.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Please note that the 11:00am service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org