FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
November 30, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-DECORATING THE CHURCH for Advent/Christmas will be after worship today—many hands make light work.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM at center meeting room.
-PC(USA) CHRISTMAS JOY SPECIAL OFFERING ‘Prepare the Way’ donations will be accepted Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 2025. Envelopes will be by the offering plates. Thank you for your generosity!
-ADVENT POTLUCK will be held next Sunday, December 7, following worship. Please bring a dish to share if you are able, but please plan to attend in any case as there is always plenty of food. All are welcome!
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS will be held next Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to join!
CALL TO WORSHIP
This morning we hear a simple invitation: Come.
So we come—hoping to meet God here.
The night is far gone; the day is near
We come awake, alert, and full of hope.
Come—let’s draw near to God together.
*OPENING HYMN #82 (red) “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
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.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of light and hope, we confess that we are not always awake to Your presence. You call us to walk in Your ways, but we wander. You urge us to leave the shadows behind, but we hold on to old habits. You invite us to step toward Your light, but we hesitate. Forgive us. Draw us near. Wake us up to Your coming, and guide our feet in Your path of peace. Amen
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and verse 3 of “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” (on screen)
3. Redeemer, come! I open wide
my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide.
let me thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in me reveal.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
LIGHT THE ADVENT CANDLE with ADVENT SONG “Hope”
Scripture: Isaiah 64:1–2, 4
“O that you would tear open the heavens and come down… No eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.”
Reading:
Today we light the first candle of Advent, the candle of Hope.
Isaiah cries out on behalf of a weary people: “O Lord, come down.” In those words we hear our own longing—for God to break into our world, our homes, our fears, our waiting. This small flame stands as a reminder that hope begins even in the faintest glow of God’s promise. (Light one white candle) As this candle shines, hope gently invites us: “Come and see—God is near for you and me.”
Congregation sings to the tune of “Come Ye Thankful People Come”
One small candle breaks the night, Shining softly, giving light.
Hope says softly, “Come and see- God is near for you and me.”
Light the candle, shine the light, Christ is coming, holy, bright.
Hope and peace and joy and love, Come to us from heav’n above
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 2:1–5 (NIV) (responsive)
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Psalm 122: 1-4 (NIV)
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up--
the tribes of the LORD--
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
Romans 13:11–14 (NIV)
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Matthew 24:36–44 (NIV)
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
SERMON Come, The Journey Begins
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a God who is already at work, drawing us toward love and life.
We trust that even in darkness, God’s light breaks through and gives us hope.
We commit to follow, to watch, and to step forward in faith, knowing Christ is coming.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #93 (red) “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold, the King of glory waits;
the King of kings is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here.
Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.
Redeemer, come! I open wide
my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide.
let me thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in me reveal.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Mike M, Marlys M, Duane & Kris, Bob O
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dee W, Skip W, Bruce & Lori W, Alan & Sue Y
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Come, Jesus, Come” Donna Flint
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (on screen/handout) “Come We That Love the Lord”
Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known,
Join in a song with sweet accord, join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne.
Refrain:
We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God,
But children of the heav’nly King, but children of the heav’nly King
May speak their joys abroad, may speak their joys abroad. [Refrain]
The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heav’nly fields, before we reach the heav’nly fields
Or walk the golden streets, or walk the golden streets. [Refrain]
Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry;
We’re marching thro’ Immanuel’s ground, we’re marching thro’ Immanuel’s ground
To fairer worlds on high, to fairer worlds on high. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
November 30, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-DECORATING THE CHURCH for Advent/Christmas will be after worship today—many hands make light work.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM at center meeting room.
-PC(USA) CHRISTMAS JOY SPECIAL OFFERING ‘Prepare the Way’ donations will be accepted Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 2025. Envelopes will be by the offering plates. Thank you for your generosity!
-ADVENT POTLUCK will be held next Sunday, December 7, following worship. Please bring a dish to share if you are able, but please plan to attend in any case as there is always plenty of food. All are welcome!
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS will be held next Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to join!
CALL TO WORSHIP
This morning we hear a simple invitation: Come.
So we come—hoping to meet God here.
The night is far gone; the day is near
We come awake, alert, and full of hope.
Come—let’s draw near to God together.
*OPENING HYMN #82 (red) “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
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.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of light and hope, we confess that we are not always awake to Your presence. You call us to walk in Your ways, but we wander. You urge us to leave the shadows behind, but we hold on to old habits. You invite us to step toward Your light, but we hesitate. Forgive us. Draw us near. Wake us up to Your coming, and guide our feet in Your path of peace. Amen
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and verse 3 of “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” (on screen)
3. Redeemer, come! I open wide
my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide.
let me thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in me reveal.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
LIGHT THE ADVENT CANDLE with ADVENT SONG “Hope”
Scripture: Isaiah 64:1–2, 4
“O that you would tear open the heavens and come down… No eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.”
Reading:
Today we light the first candle of Advent, the candle of Hope.
Isaiah cries out on behalf of a weary people: “O Lord, come down.” In those words we hear our own longing—for God to break into our world, our homes, our fears, our waiting. This small flame stands as a reminder that hope begins even in the faintest glow of God’s promise. (Light one white candle) As this candle shines, hope gently invites us: “Come and see—God is near for you and me.”
Congregation sings to the tune of “Come Ye Thankful People Come”
One small candle breaks the night, Shining softly, giving light.
Hope says softly, “Come and see- God is near for you and me.”
Light the candle, shine the light, Christ is coming, holy, bright.
Hope and peace and joy and love, Come to us from heav’n above
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 2:1–5 (NIV) (responsive)
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Psalm 122: 1-4 (NIV)
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up--
the tribes of the LORD--
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
Romans 13:11–14 (NIV)
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Matthew 24:36–44 (NIV)
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
SERMON Come, The Journey Begins
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a God who is already at work, drawing us toward love and life.
We trust that even in darkness, God’s light breaks through and gives us hope.
We commit to follow, to watch, and to step forward in faith, knowing Christ is coming.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #93 (red) “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold, the King of glory waits;
the King of kings is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here.
Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.
Redeemer, come! I open wide
my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide.
let me thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in me reveal.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Mike M, Marlys M, Duane & Kris, Bob O
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dee W, Skip W, Bruce & Lori W, Alan & Sue Y
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Come, Jesus, Come” Donna Flint
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (on screen/handout) “Come We That Love the Lord”
Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known,
Join in a song with sweet accord, join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne.
Refrain:
We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God,
But children of the heav’nly King, but children of the heav’nly King
May speak their joys abroad, may speak their joys abroad. [Refrain]
The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heav’nly fields, before we reach the heav’nly fields
Or walk the golden streets, or walk the golden streets. [Refrain]
Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry;
We’re marching thro’ Immanuel’s ground, we’re marching thro’ Immanuel’s ground
To fairer worlds on high, to fairer worlds on high. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
