Service for the Lord’s Day: December 4, 2005

2nd Sunday of Advent: 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                                             Advent Carol                                                H. Hopson

                                               Lo! How a Rose E’re Blooming                               C. Dobrinski

 Worship begins with the prelude.  Please speak softly enough

to allow worshipers to pray and to prepare for time with God and God’s people.

 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

MINUTES FOR MISSION                                                 Executive Director of COMPASS

                                                                                                Malawi Pediatrician Partnership

MINUTE FOR STEWARDSHIP                                       Capital Campaign

 

CHORAL INTROIT                       Christmas Hymn (vs. 2)                               arr. H. Jungst  

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE & ADVENT WREATH

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                      Isaiah 40: 3-5(The Messenger)

Thunder in the desert! “Prepare for God’s arrival!

Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.

Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.

Then God’s bright glory will shine and everyone will see it.

Yes, just as God has said.”

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 2                                         Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                      Call to Worship, Vol. 39.1, 2005-2006

        Forgive us, God of power, for failing to live in service to your will.

        We have sought our own paths instead of your way.

        We bow to the demands of this world more than we seek your coming kingdom.

        We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are filthy.

        Yet you, O God, are our Creator; we are the work of your hand.

        Do not remember our wrongs.  Rule in us and renew us by your Spirit,

        that every moment we may be ready to serve you.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE                                                              from Romans 8

Who is in a position to condemn?

Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us,

Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

*THE PEACE

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

           Peace be with you.

(Worshipers greet one another with words and gestures of God’s peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

  

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                               Matthew 28: 16-20 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                         Advent Prayer                                          arr. H. Hopson                                 

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                          Isaiah 40: 1-11 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                         “Highway – Rhymes with …”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

AN OFFERING OF OURSELVES TO GOD

            Call to respond

            Offertory                     Comfort, Comfort Ye My People   D. Angerman and J. Martin                                  

*Hymn # 592                                          Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

            Prayer of Dedication

Commissioning Overbrook Stephen Ministers                       

                    

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND INTERCESSION, THE LORD’S PRAYER

        

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 8                                                                 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

 

*CHARGE                                                                      crossing Isaiah 40: 3-5 and Matthew 28: 19-20

Prepare for God’s arrival!

Make the road…and follow that road where it leads

In the world, in our world, in God’s world;

Making disciples of all the people on the road and at roads’ ends,

Baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us.

And remember, the Lord is with us always, to the end.

 

*BLESSING                                                                                                                            wrl

The Lord muddy our hands in road-building;

Stir our hearts to love neighbors

and remind us of all we are commanded; now and always, to the end.

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #14 (vs. 2)                       Savior of the Nations, Come

 

POSTLUDE                                       Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers                                L. Smith                              

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Scriptures:  Isa. 61: 1-4; Ps. 126; 1 Thess. 5: 16-24; John 1: 6-8

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgists 

 Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Overbrook Belles

Westminster Choir

 Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist