December 1, 2024

Nov 28

Written By Heath Nettles

First Sunday of Advent | Worship + Holy Communion

December 1, 2024 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin

Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity

Prelude

Oh, Come, Little Children arr. James Koerts

Welcome

Call to Worship

Children of God, pay attention! The days are coming when God’s peace will reign, and all creation will flourish under the reign of our Creator.
The days are surely coming!
Children of God, prepare your hearts! The days are coming and are already here when God will come near and show us how to recognize God’s reign among us.
The days are surely coming and are already here!
Children of God, be alert and listen! God has come near to build the kin-dom on the earth here and now. Will you join in?
The days are surely coming and are already here! We come to prepare our hearts to pay attention, to listen, and to follow God’s call to build the kin-dom of earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Hymn

People, Look East UMH# 202

Joys & Concerns s with the Lord’s Prayer

UMH# 895

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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen

Responsive Reading for the Hanging of the Greens

How shall we prepare this house of the coming of the King?
With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty.
How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the eternal Christ?
With garlands of pine and fir, whose leaves are ever living, evergreen.
How shall we prepare this house for the coming of our Savior?
With wreaths of holly and ivy, telling of his passion, death, and resurrection.
How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of God?
By hearing again the words of the prophets,
Who foretold the saving work of God.
For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

Glory to God in the highest!

Blessing of the Chrismon Tree

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candles

Paul and Paula Dempsey

All: While fear, anxiety, misinformation, and suspicion surround us on every side, we choose to watch and wait in hope, preparing our hearts to notice and cooperate with God’s grace already at work in our midst.

Sung response to the Lighting of the Candles

This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!

A Reading from the Old Testament

Jeremiah 33:14-16

A Reading from the Gospels

Luke 21:25-36

Sermon

Preparations | Rev. Kelly Dotson

The Celebration of Holy Communion

Anthem

Bread of the World arr. Carlton Young

The Great Thanksgiving and Communion

Musical Setting D UMH pp. 23-24

Breaking the Bread
Giving the Bread and Cup
The Prayer of Thanksgiving

Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings

What can I give him poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Hymn

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light UMH#206

Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light

Postlude

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly arr. James Koerts

Announcements

Paul Dempsey