SERVICE FOR THE 1st SUNDAY IN ADVENT

                                                 November 29, 2009, 10:30 a.m.

 

                                                   GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

                                  In Advent, God’s people wait and watch for the holiness of a Savior.

                                 In silence, put aside distraction, as we with God span time & distance.

 

IN SILENCE                                                            Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things, ll. 5-11

            I come into the peace of wild things

            who do not tax their lives with forethought

            of grief.  I come into the presence of still water.

            And I feel above me the day-blind stars

            waiting with their light.  For a time

            I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

 

PRELUDE                                                Ave Maria                                J. S. Bach/C. Gounod

                                                        In the Bleak Midwinter                     G. Holst/H. Sorenson

 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHORAL CALL TO GOD  & LIGHTING A CANDLE 

                                                                    Nathaniel Stanford & Wilfred Taye Candle Lighters

 

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                              D. Gambrel

           With the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, we watch and wait for the coming of Christ

            Who will bring light and peace to all the world.

                        We give thanks for the light of Christ

shining in the lives of God’s people.

 

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

 

*CONFESSION & ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS        from Neal Lloyd, Praying Out Loud

               Gracious and Loving God,

            You have made us care-givers.

            You have entrusted people and things to us

                        in order that with and through them we might do good.

            We cherish the gift we have received, and forget the responsibility we bear.

            In this holiday season, by your Spirit, remind us

                        that none of us ever outgrows that responsibility

                        that we are never too old or too weak

                             to love

                                    to speak out

                                         to hold up the example of your love for others

                                                to bear the mark of your son given us in baptism.

                                       (time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

The mark of God’s Son given in baptism,

                 is the stamp of God’s heavenly approval.

            So that the world which walks in the darkness of violence, famine and terror…

                 the world which walks in the darkness sees God’s light in us

                        by the forgiveness given in Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

                                                   PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

WORD WITH THE YOUNG

 

ANTHEM                                         A Prayer for Advent                                            D. Nolan

 

LESSON FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT                                   Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NRSV)

                                                                                                  Pew Bible Old Testament p. 694

 

SERMON                                                                                        “ ‘days are surely coming’ ”

 

                                                 RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

CALL TO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

OFFERTORY                       Keep Your Lamps!                                   arr. A. Thomas

 

                                           SEAL THE WORD IN SACRAMENT

BAPTISM                                               The Rev. Dr. Donald Dawson, Elder Andrew Dawson

            Presentation of Adeline Beth, daughter of Rachel and Michael Ludwig

            Profession of Faith

            Thanksgiving over the Water

            Baptism of Adeline Beth

            Welcome & *the Peace

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

                                    Peace be with you.

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

 

LORD’S SUPPER

            INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

            GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING                                               Hymnal p. 13

                        The Lord be with you….

                Response # 581                                                                       Holy, Holy, Holy Lord

                        You are holy, O God….  Let us declare the mystery of faith.

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

                        Eternal God, send your Spirit….  Amen.

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

               *THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)                                                  Hymnal p. 16

            BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

                   (Giving the bread, worshipers may say, “the body of Christ for you;”

                             sharing the cup, “the cup of blessing in Christ for you.”)

 

                                                        GO IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN # 9                                                                                 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE # 588                                                                    Amen

 

POSTLUDE                                Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers                                 arr. L. Smith

                                  (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                             WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Charlie Lemon, Rev. Dr. Donald Dawson

Sermon/Word with the Young

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Rocki Strader, Cello

John Wyckoff, Drum

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer – Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth – Organist/Pianist

Head Usher

Bob Glaeser