THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME
“Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Christ”
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“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122, vs 1
Brad Milner, Liturgist
Prelude Music
Sonata in A major
G.P. Telemann
Largo – Allegro – Sarabande - Allegro
Micah Gangwer, violinist
Processional Hymn
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
Call to Worship
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, we await your coming.
People: We wait filled with hope,
Leader: Knowing your light will shine in the darkness.
People: We wait anticipating your peace,
Leader: May we reach out to share it with our neighbors.
People: We wait with joy,
Leader: Believing that one day it will fill our world.
People: We wait embracing your love,
Leader: In expectation of your birth.
People: Lord we wait, Come soon and fill us with your life.
–written by Christine Sine (2012), and posted on GodSpace
*Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Watch and wait for Christ's coming! Light candles of hope, peace, joy and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer. We light this candle in hope......
Hear God's promise of hope from Isaiah 2:2-4:
"In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain to the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the world of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against any nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."
Let us pray: Faithful God, out of war's chaos, you bring the order of peace. Renew us in hope, that we may work toward Christ's advent of peace among all nations.
ALL: God of promise, God of hope, into our darkness come.
Jean Meden, Ellen Moryl
Hymn
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Refrain
Veni Emmanuel
Invocation and 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SIN & ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Call to Confession (Unison)
Leader: In a few days’ time we will be celebrating the birth of Christ, so let us restore our souls, and refresh our spirits.
People: Restore us, O God, let your face shine that we may be saved. Amen.
Leader: Though we are complicit in the frenzy of consumerism, the unreality of expectations, the tension of gift giving, and the pressure to attend gatherings:
People: Restore us, O God, let your face shine that we may be saved. Amen.
Leader: Though we would like to be more Christ-centered in our daily lives, we know we can turn to God, and be restored. So, we ask:
People: Restore us, O God, let your face shine that we may be saved. Amen.
— written by Ann Siddall, Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community
Silent Confession and Assurance of Pardon
Response: Thanks be to God!
Gloria Patri
Affirmation of Faith, Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell*; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic** Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
* ”hell” refers to the Hebrew word “Sheol,” a place of the dead, rather than the Hell of the final judgment.
** “catholic” is Latin for “universal,” implying the Christian unity that exists beyond all denominations.
Anthem
“The Advent of Our God”
The advent of our God with eager prayers we greet,
and singing haste upon the road, his coming reign to meet.
The everlasting Son came down to make us free:
and he a servant’s form put on to gain our liberty.
As judge on clouds of light, he soon will come again,
his scattered people to unite, with them in heaven to reign.
O come O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind, All peoples in one heart and mind.
Praise to the incarnate Son who comes to set us free, with Father, Spirit, ever One, to all eternity.
text: Charles Coffin, 1736
music: CONSOLATION,
The Kentucky Harmony1 816, arr. Douglas Wagner
Pastoral Prayer of the People
Scripture Reading
Mark 13: 24-37
Sermon
A Quiet Thing
Rev. Cress Darwin
Closing Hymn
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.
Stuttgart
Benediction and Choral Response
Rejoice!
Veni Emmanuel
Postlude
“Stuttgart”
Archer
2nd Presbyterian CCLI Lic. #2046860
INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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