SERVICE FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

                                               December 7, 2008  10:30 a.m.

 

                                                GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                              Now the Green Blade Riseth                    R. Hieber/R. Ivey

                                                            Advent Carol                                       arr. H. Hopson

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

           

CARILLON & LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES (see insert) Sing Only Verse 2

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 13                                                               Prepare the Way

 

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

 

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, 

that her penalty is paid,

that she has received from the Lord's hand double  for all her sins.

     A voice cries out:  "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,

     make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

     Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;

     the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

     Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

     and all people shall see it together,

     for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?"

All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.

     Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings;

     lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,

     lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities  of Judah,  "Here is your God!"

     See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him;

     his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 

     He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, 

     and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

 

*THE PEACE       

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

                 Peace be with you.

(worshipers exchange signs and words of the peace of Christ)

 

                                                PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

ANTHEM                               Emmanuel, Expected Jesus                           arr. R. Schram

 

MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG

 

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                               Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                      “Desert Voices” 

                                                                                              Carl Daw, “Sing to the Lord No Threadbare Song,” 

                                                                                                      New Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs

                   

                     Sing to the Lord no threadbare song,

                 no timeworn, toothless hymn,

                 no sentimental platitude

                 no empty pious whim; 

                 but raise a song just off the loom,

                 fresh-woven, strong and dense,

                 as new as God’s eternal now

     transcending time and sense.

 

                                              RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO THE ONE WHO IS AND WHO COMES

            Call to Respond

               OFFERTORY                           He Is Born                      French Carol/J. Schrader

 

                                                DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRAYERS THANKING AND ASKING GOD, THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

*HYMN # 3                                                                    Comfort, Comfort You My People

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                             Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers                              arr. L. Smith

                         (Please feel free to leave quietly at beginning of Postlude,

                              even though some choose to remain seated to listen.)

 

                         WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                     WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Moment with the Young

Jan Bundy

Musical Leadership

Canterbury Ringers

Westminster & Chancel Choirs

Steve Wedell, Viola

Lisa Irvin, Flute

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano