Nov. 29 Livestream – First Sunday of Advent

On this first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace. Join us as we pray for peace in our community, peace in our world and peace in our hearts.

This week’s order for worship:

Prelude/ Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan
One: Faith in God gives us chances to begin all over again.
All: God’s love is a love that releases us from the past.
One: It is freeing to make a fresh start!
All: As our Savior, God gives all people a new lease on life!
One: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
All: As Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness, salvation and life.

Hymn/ “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #82

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace:
   Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
   Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;
   Praise His name I’m fixed upon it – Name of God’s redeeming love.
2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I’m come;
   And I hope by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
   Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering form the fold of God;
   He, to rescue me from danger, Bought me with HIs precious blood.
3. O to grace how great a debtor, Daily I’m constrained to be!
   Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee::
   Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;
   Here’s my heart O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Tender-Hearted God, this morning you have awakened us to a new day of life! We praise you, for you have blessed us.
Always-Loving God, you are the One who faithfully loves all people. May we sense your loving presence as we share in this time of worship. Wake us up all over again. As we begin this new Church Year, we remember your unexpected advent in Bethlehem. Your birth among us; your human birth as a little, newborn baby was a defining moment. In that moment, you made yourself known as never before, God. Forevermore, you continue making yourself known to your children. May we grow to know you more deeply this Advent Season; Tender-Hearted and Always-Loving Savior. Amen.

Lighting the Advent Wreath / Pastor Dan
The Candle of Peace

Response “When God Is a Child” p. 95, worship booklet
Verse 2 ONLY

2. Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, Giving a promise of safety and worth.
   When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
   The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Children’s Message/ Sue Wilson

Special Music/ “Soon and Very Soon” Mike Neu, Tenor Saxophone
Aaron DiVesta, Baritone Saxophone

Scripture Reading/ Pastor Dan Psalm 80:1-9, 14-19 and Mark 13:24-37

Sermon/ Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan

Hymn/ “Let There Be Peace on Earth” pp. 62-63, worship booklet
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Benediction/ Pastor Dan

Postlude/ Anna DiVesta