First Sunday of Advent
PRELUDE: Come, Savior of the Gentiles (BWV 599) by J. S. Bach
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
PRAYER
HYMN: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, selected stanzas [Veni Emmanuel]
PRAYER
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH: Waiting-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 wait.
Quartet & People: We wait in hope for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to wait for freedom from captivity.
Quartet & People: We wait in hope for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to wait for comfort in our sorrow.
Quartet & People: We wait in hope for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to wait for power in our weakness.
Quartet & People: We wait in hope for the dawning light.
Leader: Advent is a time to wait for the end of darkness.
Quartet & People: We wait for Jesus, the Light of the World
Candle Lighting
Quartet: Jesus, the light of the world.
Quartet & People singing together: 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: O, Jesus, the light of the world. Light of the world.
Prayer
SCRIPTURE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
HYMN: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus [Stuttgart]
SERMON: “The Strength to Hope and Wait”
ANTHEM: Hark, A Thrilling Voice by Ian Higginson
Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding. “Christ is nigh,” it seems to say; “Cast away the works of darkness, O ye children of the day.” Wakened by the solemn warning, let the earthbound soul arise; Christ, our Sun, all fear dispelling, shines upon the morning skies. Lo! The Lamb, so long expected, comes with pardon down from heaven; let us haste, with tears of sorrow, one and all to be forgiven; so when next he comes in glory, and the world is wrapped in fear, may he with his mercy shield us, and with words of love draw near. Honor, glory, might and blessing to the Father and the Son, with the everlasting Spirit, while unending ages run. Amen. [Edward Caswall]
PRAYER
HYMN: People, Look East [Besançon]
BENEDICTION
RESPONSE: Hope is Dawning on the World by Larry Shackley; Mark Waters, tenor solo
Lift up your eyes, for the light is shining: hope is dawning on the world. So make ready your heart, make ready your soul, hope is dawning on the world. Lift up your eyes, for the light is shining: love is dawning on the world. Oh, what do they call Him? The Root of Jesse, What do they call Him? The Lion of Judah. What do they call Him? Seed of David: Christ is coming to the world. Won’t you lift up your eyes, for the light is shining: joy is dawning on the world. Oh, why is He coming? To heal the nations. Why is He coming? To save God’s people. Why is He coming? To bring salvation: Christ is coming to the world. Lift up your eyes, for the light is shining: hope is dawning on the world. So make ready your heart, make ready your soul: Christ is coming, Jesus Christ is coming ! Yes, hope is dawning on the world!
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