November 29th, 2020 - 1st Sunday of Advent
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Prelude: Vierne: Prelude No. 5, played by Joe Vitacco
Greeting, Pastoral Prayer, Advent Lighting
Pastoral Prayer
God of our hope, You have throughout our lives You have tried to encourage us, and mold us into Your people. As we come before You remind us of Your loving presence that longs for us to see Your kingdom within our lives, so that our journey is shaped by Your grace and Your will in Jesus the Christ.
During this time of worship, center our hearts, our souls, and our minds on Your Presence with us as we lift to you the prayers of our hearts. We know You promise to hear our prayers, always, and with confidence,
We come to pray for Our Church, for it's leaders and congregation Our world and our country, our loved ones - keep them: keep them in health, in safety, in comfort, in Your care Keep us, also and send forth Your Holy Spirit of truth, of comfort, and of power. We pray for any among us who feel constrained, or emotionally distressed by our time and era and for any who need to know Your love for them in this hurting world.
We also lift to You those who need comfort as they mourn their loved ones. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, The comforter, who would remind us of Your promises that Nothing in life, or in Death, things present, nor things to come, nor angel or demons within our lives, nor anything in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from Your love in Jesus the Christ, our Lord.
The Lord's Prayer
Opening Hymn: No. 202 People, Look East
Call to Worship: Psalm 80: 7, 17-19
- Pastor: Restore us, God of heavenly forces!
- People: Make Your face shine so that we can be saved!
- Pastor: Let Your hand be with the one on Your right side—
- People: with the one whom You secured as Your own—
- Pastor: then we will not turn away from You!
- People: Revive us so that we can call on Your name,
- Pastor: Restore us, Lord God of heavenly forces!
- People: Make Your face shine so the we can be saved!
Choral Anthem: Purifoy: Every Valley
Eternal God, as we begin our waiting for the arrival of Christmas once more, open our hearts to yearn for Your presence to guide us into true worship of You and Your Kingdom. This year is especially fraught with challenges and concerns that mar our anticipation of a beloved holiday. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind us of Your love and grace even in this time and era. Show us Your strength and wisdom as we wait for Your advent into our lives. Grant us joy as we anticipate the return of Christ and the celebration of Jesus' birth. Give us new insights into Your ways and Your timing through Jesus the Christ even within our own lives.
Hymn: No. 215 To A Maid Engaged To Joseph
Gospel Reading and message:
- Gospel Reading: Mark 13: 24-37
- Sermon: Advent is a time when the church is reminded to wait and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. It's time of new hope and new birth: The Christ child is born.
Closing Hymn: No. 196 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
- Pastor: Remember that we are God's chosen people;
- People: God is molding us into God's ways of being.
- Pastor: Remember that God promises us that God is with us;
- People: God promises us that God loves us and calls us by name.
- Pastor: Remember that God has a future for us;
- People: God is leading each of us into that Future God holds for us.
- Pastor: Remember God is faithful;
- People: God is from everlasting to everlasting and God's faithfulness to us will never cease.
Postlude: Arr. Gearhart: Advent Carol, played by Dr. John Gearhart