ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022
PRELUDE ‘On Jordan’s Stormy Banks,’ arr. Lindell Leatherman
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Listen! The voice of God calls out across the ages.
Prepare the way of the Lord!
We come to prepare ourselves for Christ’s transformation in our lives.
We come to prepare a way for the hope and peace that Christ brings.
All: Let us worship God.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
A voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
A choir sings in the silence, “Come, Emmanuel.”
Every valley shall be filled.
Every heart shall be made whole,
for peace is stronger than turmoil, and love is louder than hate.
As we light our second Advent candle,
we pray for the holy peace of God.
Come now, O Child of Mary.
Come now, O Prince of Peace.
OPENING HYMN #3 (Blue) ‘Comfort, Comfort, You My People’
Comfort, comfort you my people; tell of peace," thus says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness, bowed beneath oppression’s load.
Speak you to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them;
Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.
For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near,
Bidding us to make repentance since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
Make you straight what long was crooked; make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord now o'er earth is spread abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Holy God of Promise, we so often place our trust in the things we can see, and touch, and easily believe. But you did not ask us to believe what is easy, you have asked us to believe what is true! Forgive us, Holy One, when we doubt the way you work. Forgive us when we question how you chose to enter the world, born as one of us. Forgive our lack of faith and belief in ways which seem so impossible to believe. Help us to look in faith, open our belief, and prepare us to do your work. We offer these prayers in the name of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
*GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (refrain of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’)
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
SCRIPTURE READING
Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-5, 9b-10
1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow[a] out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see
or decide by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor
and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
9b for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-3
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’
Epistle: Romans 15:4-6, 13
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
SERMON: ‘Oh, Shoot’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen
SERMON HYMN #357 (Blue) ‘O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee’
O Master, let me walk with Thee In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret, help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee in closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give, with Thee, O Master, let me live.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
SPECIAL MUSIC: ‘Stranger in the Straw’ by Don Blackley
Richard Smith, soloist; Judy Smith, accompanist
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
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
-Paige F
-Marge V
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew-for continued strength)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dee W, Skip W, Bruce & Lori W
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
…Therefore with all creation we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
…Please join me in prayer as our Lord has taught us to pray,
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*CLOSING HYMN #8 (Blue) ‘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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE ‘Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,’ arr. Ruth Schram
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2021-2022 Year C Vo.55.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2021 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022
PRELUDE ‘On Jordan’s Stormy Banks,’ arr. Lindell Leatherman
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Listen! The voice of God calls out across the ages.
Prepare the way of the Lord!
We come to prepare ourselves for Christ’s transformation in our lives.
We come to prepare a way for the hope and peace that Christ brings.
All: Let us worship God.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
A voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
A choir sings in the silence, “Come, Emmanuel.”
Every valley shall be filled.
Every heart shall be made whole,
for peace is stronger than turmoil, and love is louder than hate.
As we light our second Advent candle,
we pray for the holy peace of God.
Come now, O Child of Mary.
Come now, O Prince of Peace.
OPENING HYMN #3 (Blue) ‘Comfort, Comfort, You My People’
Comfort, comfort you my people; tell of peace," thus says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness, bowed beneath oppression’s load.
Speak you to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them;
Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.
For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near,
Bidding us to make repentance since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
Make you straight what long was crooked; make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord now o'er earth is spread abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Holy God of Promise, we so often place our trust in the things we can see, and touch, and easily believe. But you did not ask us to believe what is easy, you have asked us to believe what is true! Forgive us, Holy One, when we doubt the way you work. Forgive us when we question how you chose to enter the world, born as one of us. Forgive our lack of faith and belief in ways which seem so impossible to believe. Help us to look in faith, open our belief, and prepare us to do your work. We offer these prayers in the name of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
*GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (refrain of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’)
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
SCRIPTURE READING
Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-5, 9b-10
1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow[a] out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see
or decide by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor
and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
9b for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-3
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’
Epistle: Romans 15:4-6, 13
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
SERMON: ‘Oh, Shoot’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen
SERMON HYMN #357 (Blue) ‘O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee’
O Master, let me walk with Thee In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret, help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee in closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give, with Thee, O Master, let me live.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
SPECIAL MUSIC: ‘Stranger in the Straw’ by Don Blackley
Richard Smith, soloist; Judy Smith, accompanist
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
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
-Paige F
-Marge V
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew-for continued strength)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dee W, Skip W, Bruce & Lori W
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
…Therefore with all creation we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
…Please join me in prayer as our Lord has taught us to pray,
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*CLOSING HYMN #8 (Blue) ‘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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE ‘Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,’ arr. Ruth Schram
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2021-2022 Year C Vo.55.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2021 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993