Sunday, November 28, 2021
First Sunday of Advent
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Noel with Variations”
~ Claude Louis Balbastre, ed. Olive Nelson Russell
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” – tune – “Stuttgart”
~ Jon Spong, adp. Henry J. Gauntlett
PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Carol of the Bells” – “Ukrainian Carol”
~ Leontovich-Wilhusky, arr. William Simon
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey D. Hall
THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE
INSTRUMENTAL
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Be Thou My Vision” – tune – “Slane”
~ arr. Richard Elliott
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
John Palmer
L: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P: And also with you.
L: During Advent we watch and wait and prepare to welcome the Christ-child into the world.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
L: During Advent we prepare for a life of discipleship and watch faithfully for signs of God’s light and love.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
L: During Advent, we lift up our heads and look for signs of God’s justice and righteousness.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
John Palmer
God of Advent, there is so much worry and anxiety around the world. Things seem unsettled and unstable. And yet the story of faith reminds us to hope for tomorrow. Help us to live with a hope that is fearless to love and faithful to serve. Teach us to sing your praises, O God. Teach us to open our hearts and welcome your wondrous grace, your wide embrace, and your infinite mercy. Amen.
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Tom Waldrop, John Palmer
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” ~ UMH #196
ADVENT PRAYER & CANDLELIGHTING
Pastor Jeffrey
L: Let us pray.
P: Loving God, as we enter this Advent season, we open all the dark places in our lives to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of hope. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ. Let us take time, in the busyness of this season, for quiet reflection. We will let ourselves be surprised by wonder. We will welcome Christ into our hearts. We will be a people of hope. Amen.
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Tom Waldrop, John Palmer
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” ~ UMH #110, vs. 1
TIME FOR YOUTH
Robbie Frederiksen, Youth Ministry Director
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
John Palmer
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
John Palmer
Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who are they that fear the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose. They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. O guard my life, and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
PRAYER CARDS COLLECTED
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Tom Waldrop, John Palmer
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” ~ UMH #496
JOYS AND CONCERNS / THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
SCRIPTURE READING
John Palmer
Luke 21:25-36
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON
Pastor Jeffrey
Stand Up and Raise Your Heads
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
John Palmer
The Church and its ministry will flourish tomorrow because of the hopeful, expectant generosity that lives in us today. Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude, heartfelt commitment, and praise.
OFFERTORY
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Tom Waldrop, John Palmer
“There’s a Song in the Air“
Words, Josiah G. Holland; Music, Karl P. Harrington
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
HYMN
Maggie Harris, Sue Livingstone, Tom Waldrop, John Palmer
“Take My Life and Let it Be” ~ UMH #399
THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS FOR MINISTRY
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” – tune – “Wachet Auf”
~ arr. Thomas Chesterton, Paul Manz
* Stand as you are able