Service for the First Sunday of Advent

December 2, 1007:  10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                                   Go Tell It on the Mountain                             arr. B. Kinyon

                                                          Christmas Meditation                                arr. M. Helman

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thanksgiving for Ministry of Betsy Maurath                             James Kneessi, Chair,

Committee on Christian Education

 

CARILLON, ANVIL & LIGHTING OF THE FIRST ADVENT CANDLE 

Laura Dolph Bosley & Carolyn Weltzheimer

            (We Sing - Light One Candle – Stanza 1 – (See Insert)                             M. Patterson

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                              on Romans 13:11-14

            You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.

                 Salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.

            The night is far gone, the day is near.

                 Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light,

                        living honorably as in the day.          

            Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 1                                         Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus     

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                         on Romans 13:11-14 (The Message)/wrl

            Creator of stars of night,

Crafter of the armor of light—the Lord Jesus Christ:

                        we like to bicker and grab, loiter and linger,

lollygagging in pj’s and nighties.

            Forgive and awaken us.  Drag us out of bed

                        to get dressed in Jesus Christ.

(a time for silent, personal confession)  Amen. 

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE    on Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV & The Message)/wrl

            Sisters and brothers in Christ: 

            salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.

    

 

     God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began.

Touching us with forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

     Thank God.

 

LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                     Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                    He Is the Light that Shines                                   R. Schram

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                        Isaiah 2:1-5 (The Message)

 

SERMON                                                                                                                       “Smitty”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            OFFERTORY               Prepare the Way of the Lord                                    B. Harlan

 

SEAL THE WORD IN SACRAMENT

 

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

 

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 

            The Lord be with you.

                 And also with you.

            Lift up your hearts.

                 We lift them to the Lord.

            Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

                 It is right to give God thanks and praise.

            It is truly right….singing with sinners and saints from all times and places.

 

RESPONSE # 581                                                                       Holy, Holy, Holy Lord

            Jesus, on your way to us again….  Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

                        Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

            God of the future, send your spirit.   Amen.

 

*THE LORD’S PRAYER & THE PEACE                         

 

BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 13                                                                                                    Prepare the Way                                                                                                         

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE # 588                                                                     Amen

 

POSTLUDE                          Children, Go Where I Send Thee                          arr. H. Morris

 

Next Week’s Scriptures: Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 72: 1-7; Romans 15: 4-13; Matthew 3: 1-12

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Betsy Maurath

Musical Leadership

Canterbury Ringers and Chancel Chimes

Westminster Choir

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy W. Deeth, Organist