December 1 — Sign of Things to Come

Advent begins! May the world accept God’s gift of “new life in Christ.”

Today, as we light the candle of hope, we are also celebrating open communion. If you are worshipping with us from home, please ready the elements before worship so we may gather together at God’s table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — O Little Town of Bethlehem — Livingston

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Sue Wilson
One: In the wilderness, blaze a trail for God.
All: Every valley will be raised up.
One: Every mountain will be made low.
All: And the glory of God will be revealed among us!

*HYMNSHark! The Herald Angels Sing — #191

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
[Refrain]

Angels We Have Heard on High — #206

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains:

Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
[Refrain]

Go, Tell It on the Mountain — #216

Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O’r silent flocs by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light.
Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled When, Lo! Above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth.
Refrain

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.
Refrain

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Sue Wilson
Ever-present God, your promises are being fulfilled among us, moment by moment. At this time of year, as the hours of daylight grow shorter and as the dark nights lengthen, we value light more than ever!

God of Light, help us to turn away from evil and toward you as we begin this Advent Season. We pray that you will fill us with fresh expectation. Teach us again that this season is a time to watch, not for things that already have happened, but to watch for astonishing, new things that have not yet taken place. Come, Christ Jesus. This world needs you now. Guide us. May we watch closely for what you are about to do next. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH — The Candle of Hope

*RESPONSE — Emmanuel — #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Dottie Foster

*HYMN — O Christmas Tree — #221

Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your branches are uplifted.
You seem to say that on this day our world’s supremely gifted
The shining of your candles bright, reminds us Light has come tonight.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you shine like stars above us;
And with your beauty silent say, “How greatly God must love us!”
You show us Him who with God’s face, brought to our hearts the gift of grace.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, in plainness you were growing
Until we came and brought you here and set your branches glowing.
Your living beauty helps us see how clothed with Christ our lives can be.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

GOD’S WORD — Jeremiah 33:14-16 — Sue Wilson

SPECIAL MUSIC —Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming — Cotter

GOD’S WORD — Luke 21:5-9, 25-36 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — How Beautiful —worship booklet, p. 50

How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to share in the Sacrament at Christ’s Table.
Cups in the outside ring on the communion tray contain grape juice. All other cups contain wine.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING —Pastor Dan

*HYMN — We Will Glorify — #35

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

*BENEDICTION —Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates — Held