Second Sunday of Advent
PRELUDE: Lo! How a Rose is Blooming by Heinrich Lang; Andrew Rodman, trumpet
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
PRAYER
HYMN: Joy to the World [ANTIOCH]
PRAYER
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH: Watch for the Light – Jesus, the Light of the World [Elderkin] by George D. Elderkin/arr. by Joel Raney
Quartet: End our darkness, end our night, Jesus, the light of the world. Bring to earth God’s heavenly light, Jesus, the light of the world.
Leader: Advent is a time to watch.
Quartet & People: We watch, with hope, for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to watch for hope in our despair.
Quartet & People: We watch, with hope, for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to watch for grace and forgiveness.
Quartet & People: We watch, with hope, for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to watch for peace in the midst of conflict.
Quartet & People: We watch, with hope, for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to watch for the end of darkness.
Quartet & People: We watch for Jesus, the Light of the World
Candle Lighting
Quartet : Jesus, the light of the world.
Quartet & People: We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright, O, shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world. We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright, O, shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world.
Quartet: Jesus, the light of the world. Light of the world.
Prayer
SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
ANTHEM: Festival Piece on “Saint Anne” by Eugene Butler; Andrew Rodman, trumpet
O God our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, our Shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. Before the hills in order stood or earth received her frame from everlasting Thou art God to endless years the same. A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun. Time like an ever-rolling stream bears all its sons away, they fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day. O God our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, be Thou our Guard while life shall last, and our eternal Home! Amen! [Isaac Watts]
SERMON: “Reaching into the Better Days Ahead”
HYMN: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates [TRURO]
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
PRAYER
RECEPTION
PRAYER
HYMN: O Come, All Ye Faithful [ADESTE FIDELES]
BENEDICTION
RESPONSE: All Earth Is Waiting by Dent Davidson; Andrew Rodman, trumpet
All earth is waiting to see the Promised One, and open furrows awaiting the seed of God. All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty, it cries out for justice and searches for the truth. Thus says the Prophet to those of Israel: A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel, one whose Name is, God With Us. Our Savior shall be through whom hope will blossom once more in our hearts. Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain. Open new highways for our God. Who now comes closer for all to see. Open the doorways wide as can be. In lowly manger the Promised One appeared. We feel his presence on earth today. For Christ lives in us, and is with us now and through eternity. [Catalonian Text: Alberto Taulé; trans. Gertrude Suppe]
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Thank you to Diane Donaldson for the beautiful Advent arrangements today.
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