FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 7, 2025
PRELUDE Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming; arr. Hayes/Wagner
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-ADVENT POTLUCK will be held today Sunday, December 7, following worship. Come enjoy fellowship, delicious food, and Advent Bingo!
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS will be held today Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to join!
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-FINANCE MEETING will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM at center meeting room.
-SESSION MEETING will be held Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:00 PM in the Center Meeting Room.
-POINSETTIAS: Monetary donations being accepted for memorial poinsettias. You may bring your own poinsettia if you wish. Please share the names of those to be honored/ remembered on the sign-up sheet in the office. Deadline: Dec. 10
-BLADE ARTICLES ARE DUE Friday December 12 for the January/February issue.
-SECOND ADVENT POTLUCK will be held today Sunday, December 14, 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!
-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!
CALL TO WORSHIP
This morning we hear a new invitation: Come—and bring others with you.
We come, grateful for those who once invited us.
The God of hope fills us to overflowing, so that our lives become an open door.
Come—let us worship the One who welcomes all.
*OPENING HYMN #150 (blue) “Come Christians Join to Sing” (new 3rd verse on screen):
Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice; Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high; Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend; To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end; Alleluia! Amen!
Come praise with pipe and drum, Alleluia, Amen!
Invite the world to come, Alleluia, Amen!
Make ready for the King, Let songs of gladness ring,
All hearts to Jesus bring. Alleluia, Amen!
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, You call us to prepare the way, yet we too often keep your love to ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have been silent when your love should have been proclaimed. Forgive us for the times we failed to invite others, or hid the joy we have in Christ. Awaken our hearts this Advent, that we might live as people who go out in joy, inviting all to come and see your goodness. Through Jesus Christ, the One who comes to all. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and RESPONSE (v. 3 “Lift up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”)
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
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE AND REPONSE Week 2 - “Peace”
Scripture: Mark 1:2-3 “I am sending my messenger ahead of you…Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Reading:
(light one purple candle)
Today we light the second candle, the candle of Peace.
John the Baptist’s voice rings through the wilderness, calling us to prepare a straight path for the coming Christ. Peace does not mean that life is quiet or easy; rather, peace is the steady assurance that God walks with us, even when the world feels uncertain. (light one purple candle). As these two candles shine together, we hear peace’s invitation: “Come, be mind. Christ is coming—meet Him there.”
Congregation sings to the tune of “Come Ye Thankful People Come”
Two bright candles glow and shine, Peace invites us: “Come, be mine”.
Calm and quiet fill the air, Christ is coming- meet Him there.
Light the candle, shine the light, Christ is coming, holy, bright.
Hope and peace and joy and love, Come to us from heaven above.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 15:4-13
4For 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.
5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written,
“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”;
10and again he says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;
11and again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”;
12and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.”
Matthew 3:1-6, 11
1In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This 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.’”
4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
SERMON- Come, Sharing the Journey
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a God who welcomes all people and draws the world toward hope and new life. We trust that Christ comes not only for us, but for neighbors, strangers, and those who do not yet know Him. We commit to open our hearts, extend our hands, and invite others to walk this journey of faith. For the Spirit is moving, the light is growing, and Christ is coming. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
HYMN #5 (blue) “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (v 1 and 2) (remain seated)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood.
He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavenly food.
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 our thanks and praise.
… with the heavenly chorus that never stops singing your praise, we join their song:
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.
… we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
… As taught by Christ, the Light of the world, we pray THE LORD’S PRAYER.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
SPECIAL MUSIC WHILE THE MEAL IS SERVED- Elizabeth Fox, flute
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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 #12 (blue) “People Look East”
People, look east. The time is near of the crowing of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today: Love the Lord is on the way.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come, This Long Expected Jesus; Anna Laura Page
ORDER OF WORSHIP
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 7, 2025
PRELUDE Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming; arr. Hayes/Wagner
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-ADVENT POTLUCK will be held today Sunday, December 7, following worship. Come enjoy fellowship, delicious food, and Advent Bingo!
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS will be held today Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to join!
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-FINANCE MEETING will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM at center meeting room.
-SESSION MEETING will be held Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:00 PM in the Center Meeting Room.
-POINSETTIAS: Monetary donations being accepted for memorial poinsettias. You may bring your own poinsettia if you wish. Please share the names of those to be honored/ remembered on the sign-up sheet in the office. Deadline: Dec. 10
-BLADE ARTICLES ARE DUE Friday December 12 for the January/February issue.
-SECOND ADVENT POTLUCK will be held today Sunday, December 14, 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!
-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!
CALL TO WORSHIP
This morning we hear a new invitation: Come—and bring others with you.
We come, grateful for those who once invited us.
The God of hope fills us to overflowing, so that our lives become an open door.
Come—let us worship the One who welcomes all.
*OPENING HYMN #150 (blue) “Come Christians Join to Sing” (new 3rd verse on screen):
Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice; Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high; Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend; To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end; Alleluia! Amen!
Come praise with pipe and drum, Alleluia, Amen!
Invite the world to come, Alleluia, Amen!
Make ready for the King, Let songs of gladness ring,
All hearts to Jesus bring. Alleluia, Amen!
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, You call us to prepare the way, yet we too often keep your love to ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have been silent when your love should have been proclaimed. Forgive us for the times we failed to invite others, or hid the joy we have in Christ. Awaken our hearts this Advent, that we might live as people who go out in joy, inviting all to come and see your goodness. Through Jesus Christ, the One who comes to all. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and RESPONSE (v. 3 “Lift up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”)
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
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE AND REPONSE Week 2 - “Peace”
Scripture: Mark 1:2-3 “I am sending my messenger ahead of you…Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Reading:
(light one purple candle)
Today we light the second candle, the candle of Peace.
John the Baptist’s voice rings through the wilderness, calling us to prepare a straight path for the coming Christ. Peace does not mean that life is quiet or easy; rather, peace is the steady assurance that God walks with us, even when the world feels uncertain. (light one purple candle). As these two candles shine together, we hear peace’s invitation: “Come, be mind. Christ is coming—meet Him there.”
Congregation sings to the tune of “Come Ye Thankful People Come”
Two bright candles glow and shine, Peace invites us: “Come, be mine”.
Calm and quiet fill the air, Christ is coming- meet Him there.
Light the candle, shine the light, Christ is coming, holy, bright.
Hope and peace and joy and love, Come to us from heaven above.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Romans 15:4-13
4For 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.
5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written,
“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”;
10and again he says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;
11and again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”;
12and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.”
Matthew 3:1-6, 11
1In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This 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.’”
4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
SERMON- Come, Sharing the Journey
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a God who welcomes all people and draws the world toward hope and new life. We trust that Christ comes not only for us, but for neighbors, strangers, and those who do not yet know Him. We commit to open our hearts, extend our hands, and invite others to walk this journey of faith. For the Spirit is moving, the light is growing, and Christ is coming. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
HYMN #5 (blue) “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (v 1 and 2) (remain seated)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood.
He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavenly food.
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 our thanks and praise.
… with the heavenly chorus that never stops singing your praise, we join their song:
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.
… we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
… As taught by Christ, the Light of the world, we pray THE LORD’S PRAYER.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
SPECIAL MUSIC WHILE THE MEAL IS SERVED- Elizabeth Fox, flute
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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 #12 (blue) “People Look East”
People, look east. The time is near of the crowing of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today: Love the Lord is on the way.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come, This Long Expected Jesus; Anna Laura Page
