Sunday December 1, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Cold December Flies Away — Charles Ore                                           
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION                               
Advent, the four-week period that leads up to Christmas, is a series of events designed not to delay the celebration of Christmas, but to enhance it. It’s a kind of delayed gratification that culminates in a … satisfaction that is all the richer for the waiting. — Joan Chittister, Listen with the Heart

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE OF HOPE                                            
The Garry Family

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE — Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory — JOYOUS LIGHT — Marty Haugen

ADVENT CALL TO WORSHIP
A voice cries out: “Prepare for God’s arrival!”
       Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.
       For our God is coming!  Let us worship God together!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #100 — My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout — STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN
(*Please stand, if you are able)

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving and Gracious God, we come to you this Advent Season with many expectations. We confess that we are more worried about our expectations than your plans for us. We are more worried about getting what we want than being open to what you know we need. Forgive us, God. Help us to set aside our expectations. Help us to open our hearts and let Your Hope abide within us. Amen.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#578) — O Lord, Have Mercy — ORÉ PORIAJÚ VEREKÓ

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (#583) — Glory to God — GLORIA (Taizé)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON — Luke 1:67-80 — page 832 of the pew Bible

SERMON — “Prophecy of Hope” — Rev. Joshua Garry

PRAYER

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — The Moon with Borrowed Light — Walter L. Pelz

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST

ACCLAMATION OF PRAISE — from Psalm 103:1-4; Revelation 5:12
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
       all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
       and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
       and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
       and crowns you with love and compassion.
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
       to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!

*SANCTUS (#562) — Holy, Holy, Holy — SANCTUS (Schubert)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

SERVING OF THE ELEMENTS
Please come forward as directed by an usher.  All baptized Christians are encouraged to partake – by taking a piece of bread and dipping it into the cup.  Gluten-free bread is at the station closer to the pulpit. If you are unable to come forward, an elder will serve you in the pew.

ANTHEM — The Glory of the Father — Egil Hovland

*HYMN #106 — Prepare the Way, O Zion — BEREDEN VAG FOR HERRAN

*SACRAMENTAL PRAYER
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

*HYMN #97 — Watchman, Tell Us of the Night — ABERSTWYTH

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE — Savior of the Nations, Come — Paul Manz