THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP December 3, 2023
THE SANCTUARY TEN-FIFTEEN A.M.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT — HOPE
CHIMES OF THE TRINITY
PRELUDE — “Praeludium”……………………………………………………………………………………..…. Fischer
WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
— Isaiah 64:8-9
BANNER PROCESSIONAL
Acolyte — Henry Pace
Litany Readers — Pat and Robert Jenkins
LITANY FOR CANDLE OF HOPE
Reader: In the midst of our own encounters with uncertainty and upheaval and our longing for deliverance, Jesus calls to us,
“Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the Master of the house will come.”
Congregation: We wait in hope as people surprised again and again by God who shakes us out of our complacency and wakes us
up to the work of the kingdom all around us.
Reader: We light this candle as a sign of our shocking hope. May we stay awake to God’s activity in the world as we wait in
expectation that even now God is with us, working to restore us to the fullness of life with God and one another. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF HOPE
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
All-powerful God, grant us the hope that may increase our strength of will for doing good. We hope that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. Amen.
CHORUS — “The Christmas Gift”
‘Tis the Gift of a Savior, ‘tis the Gift of God’s hope who came to us from Heav’n above.
The Promised Messiah born in Bethlehem’s stall came to free His own as the Lord of all.
Sing, sing a simple song of cheer; an Advent gift for all is here! Sing! Sing, for this Holy One is a gift of hope, God’s Holy Son!
SPECIAL MUSIC BY THE MUSIC MATES CHOIR
THE CHILDREN’S SERMON
*ADVENT HYMN …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. No. 83
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” — Wesley –Prichard
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.
*OFFERTORY SENTENCE
OFFERTORY — “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” ………………………………………………………….…………… Thate
*ADVENT DOXOLOGY AND PRESENTATION OF OFFERINGS
Our hope is in the God we love, who blesses us from heav’n above,
Praise God on high for Jesus’ birth, whose loving Spirit fills the earth.
Amen.
*A CAROL FOR ADVENT ………………………………………………………………………………….………… No. 107
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” — Brooks-Redner
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in they dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all the earth!
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today! We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
PASTORAL PRAYER
ANTHEM — “Rejoice! Your Light Has Come” …………………………………………………………… Mary McDonald
The Sanctuary Choir
SERMON — Meanwhile . . . ………………………………………………………………………..…… Rev. Ward Page
Mark 13:24-37
(Page 40 in New Testament of Pew Bibles)
*HYMN OF COMMITMENT …………………………………………………………………………………..…… No. 99
“View the Present Through the Promise” — Troeger-Emerson
View the present through the promise, Christ will come again. Trust despite the deepening darkness, Christ will come again. Lift the world above its grieving through your watching and believing in the hope past hopes conceiving; Christ will come again.
Probe the present with the promise, Christ will come again. Let your daily actions witness, Christ will come again. Let your loving and your giving and your justice and forgiving be a sign to all the living; Christ will come again.
Match the present to the promise, Christ will come again. Make this hope your guiding premise, Christ will come again. Pattern all your calculating and the world you are creating to the advent you are waiting; Christ will come again.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS
BENEDICTION
*CLOSING CAROL — “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
*POSTLUDE — “Fughetta” . ……………………………………………………………. Muffat
*The Congregation is invited to stand as they are able.
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