Service for the Second Sunday of Advent

December 9, 1007:  10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                                          Christmas Images                                            T. Herald

 

CARILLON & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE                       Tiffany and Bill Payne

(We Sing – Light One Candle – Stanzas 1 & 2 See Insert)

 

*PRAYER FOR GOD’S PRESENCE                                      on Psalm 72:1-8 (The Message)      

            Give wisdom to those who rule, O God,

            the gift of just rule to presidents, governors, kings and judges.

                 May they judge your people rightly, be honorable to your meek and lowly.

            Let the mountains give exuberant witness;

shape the hills with the contours of right living.

     Please stand up for the poor; help children of the needy;

     come down hard on cruel tyrants.

Outlast the sun, outlive the moon—age after age after age.

Be rainfall on cut grass, earth-refreshing rain showers.

     Let righteousness burst into blossom

     and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.

     Rule from sea to sea, from the river to the rim.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 15                                                   Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers

                                               

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                          on Isaiah 11:10/wrl                    Isaiah writes a word from God:  “Neither animal nor human will hurt

                        or kill on all my holy mountain.”

           

                        God of the mountain, King of the hill:

                        We have a long way to go before we stop hurting others.

                        There are calculated, planned hurts;

                             and silences kept when a word might heal;

                             and all the unintended hurts of people we love. 

 

            Forgive us and speed the coming of a day

                    when wolves romp with lambs,

                    cows and bears graze together,

                    and earth’s people live in peace you give in Jesus,

                    a twig from Jesse.              

(a time for silent, personal confession)  Amen. 

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE     

 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

 

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                               Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                            What Shall We Sing for the Child?                        arr. H. Helvey

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                    Isaiah 11:1-10 (The Message)

 

SERMON                                                                                                                   “Stumped”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            OFFERTORY            Comfort, Comfort Ye My People       D. Angerman & J. Martin

            *Prayer of Dedication

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 48                                                                            Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming                                                                             

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

CHORAL RESPONSE

 

POSTLUDE                              Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers                                   arr. L. Smith

 

Next Week’s Scriptures: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Psalm 146: 5-10; James 5: 7-10; Matthew 11: 2-11

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgist 

Lorie Ellett

Sermon/Word with Children

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Chancel Choir

Celebration Singers

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy W. Deeth, Organist