FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Second Sunday of Advent
December 8, 2024
PRELUDE O Come, O come, Emmanuel, arr. Burton Bumgarner
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Our Dear Lord, Christ Jesus, you are the peace in this world
May we have eyes to see you
May we have ears to hear you
May we have the will to seek you
Peace of the world, be with us today as we worship.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE (Peace)
Reader 1: "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. . . . They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea " (Isaiah 11: 6, 9, NRSV).
Reader 2: Peace and rest are often lacking during the Advent season as we find it hard to make space to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah. Charles Wesley wrote Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus in 1744, and he understood stress, conflict, and lack of rest. Charles and his brother John faced many who disagreed with their movement and traveled in harsh conditions with little to no rest, all for the mission of spreading the gospel.
Reader 3: "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." The first verse evokes the longing we feel to find freedom and rest that is rare in modern life. As we light the second candle of Advent, may we commit time each day to think on the Lord and find a fleeting moment of peace. (Light two candles)
Reader 4: Let us Pray.
Lord of Peace, we await your coming with great expectation. Our lives are marked by peace, even when our circumstance might prove to the contrary. May we bring reconciliation and Sabbath rest to others this Advent season. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN # 2 (Blue) ‘Come Thou Long Expected Jesus’
1. 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.
2. 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
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Advent God, forgive us when we pay more attention to satisfying our own needs, than seeking you and your will for our lives—for being more interested in possessing the material things of life, rather than your spiritual gifts. Turn our lives around so that we are looking in the right direction –towards you. Only then can we hope to recognize the signs of your presence in the world. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘The Snow Lay on the Ground’ Choir
1. The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright,
When Christ our Lord was born on Christmas night.
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
Refrain:
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum. (Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord)
2. 'Twas gentle Mary maid, so young and strong,
Who welcomed here the Christ child with a song.
She laid Him in a stall at Bethlehem;
The ass and oxen shared the roof with them.
Refrain: Congregation joins singing refrain
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
3. Saint Joseph, too, was by to tend the Child,
To guard him, and protect His mother mild.
The angels hovered round and sang this song:
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Refrain: Congregation joins singing refrain
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
4. And thus that manger poor became a throne;
For He whom Mary bore was God the Son.
O come, then, let us join the heavenly host;
To praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Refrain)
Refrain: Congregation joins singing refrain
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 13:1-8, 21-27, 32-37
1 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2 Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
21 And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah! or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it. 22 False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be alert; I have already told you everything.
24 “But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
SERMON Darkness into Light
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - APOSTLES’ CREED (Modern Version) (on screen)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
HYMN #513 (Blue) ‘Let Us Break Bread Together’ (remain seated)
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
2. Let us drink wine together on our knees;
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
3. Let us praise God together on our knees;
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
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.
…joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
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.
… who taught us to pray, saying 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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(come forward to receive the elements)
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 hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #438 (Blue) ‘Blest be the Tie that Binds’
1. Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
2. Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
4. From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, arr. Ruth Elaine Schram
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Second Sunday of Advent
December 8, 2024
PRELUDE O Come, O come, Emmanuel, arr. Burton Bumgarner
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- ADVENT CONGREGATION POTLUCK being held following worship service TODAY. All are welcome!
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
- FINANCE COMMITTEE meets this Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room. Christmas Special will be on Dec. 5-19.
- SESSION MEETING this Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 PM at FPC
- BLADE ARTICLES DUE on Thursday, Dec. 12 for the Jan/Feb. 2025 issue.
- WORSHIP COMMITTEE meets after worship service next Sunday, Dec. 15.
- ADVENT CAPELLE CONCERT will be held at First Presbyterian sanctuary on next Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 PM. All are welcomed! NOTE time change.
- 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. 12
- PC(USA) SPECIAL OFFERING starting today, Dec. 1 through Dec. 22. Donations can be placed in the offering plate with a notation ‘Christmas Joy.’
CALL TO WORSHIP
Our Dear Lord, Christ Jesus, you are the peace in this world
May we have eyes to see you
May we have ears to hear you
May we have the will to seek you
Peace of the world, be with us today as we worship.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE (Peace)
Reader 1: "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. . . . They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea " (Isaiah 11: 6, 9, NRSV).
Reader 2: Peace and rest are often lacking during the Advent season as we find it hard to make space to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah. Charles Wesley wrote Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus in 1744, and he understood stress, conflict, and lack of rest. Charles and his brother John faced many who disagreed with their movement and traveled in harsh conditions with little to no rest, all for the mission of spreading the gospel.
Reader 3: "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." The first verse evokes the longing we feel to find freedom and rest that is rare in modern life. As we light the second candle of Advent, may we commit time each day to think on the Lord and find a fleeting moment of peace. (Light two candles)
Reader 4: Let us Pray.
Lord of Peace, we await your coming with great expectation. Our lives are marked by peace, even when our circumstance might prove to the contrary. May we bring reconciliation and Sabbath rest to others this Advent season. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN # 2 (Blue) ‘Come Thou Long Expected Jesus’
1. 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.
2. 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
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Advent God, forgive us when we pay more attention to satisfying our own needs, than seeking you and your will for our lives—for being more interested in possessing the material things of life, rather than your spiritual gifts. Turn our lives around so that we are looking in the right direction –towards you. Only then can we hope to recognize the signs of your presence in the world. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘The Snow Lay on the Ground’ Choir
1. The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright,
When Christ our Lord was born on Christmas night.
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
Refrain:
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum. (Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord)
2. 'Twas gentle Mary maid, so young and strong,
Who welcomed here the Christ child with a song.
She laid Him in a stall at Bethlehem;
The ass and oxen shared the roof with them.
Refrain: Congregation joins singing refrain
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
3. Saint Joseph, too, was by to tend the Child,
To guard him, and protect His mother mild.
The angels hovered round and sang this song:
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Refrain: Congregation joins singing refrain
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
4. And thus that manger poor became a throne;
For He whom Mary bore was God the Son.
O come, then, let us join the heavenly host;
To praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Refrain)
Refrain: Congregation joins singing refrain
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 13:1-8, 21-27, 32-37
1 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2 Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
21 And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah! or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it. 22 False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be alert; I have already told you everything.
24 “But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
SERMON Darkness into Light
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - APOSTLES’ CREED (Modern Version) (on screen)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
HYMN #513 (Blue) ‘Let Us Break Bread Together’ (remain seated)
- Let us break bread together on our knees;
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
2. Let us drink wine together on our knees;
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
3. Let us praise God together on our knees;
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
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.
…joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
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.
… who taught us to pray, saying 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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(come forward to receive the elements)
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 hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #438 (Blue) ‘Blest be the Tie that Binds’
1. Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
2. Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
4. From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, arr. Ruth Elaine Schram