December 3, 2023

Dec 1

Written By Heath Nettles

First Sunday of Advent | Worship + Holy Communion

December 3, 2023 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin

Gathering:

Chiming of the Trinity

Prelude

Oh, Come, Little Children arr. James Koerts

Welcome and Announcements

Rev. Lisa Hartzog

Call to Worship

Are we ready?
This question, put to us on this first Sunday in Advent, is a very personal one.
Christ comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
Are we ready?

Revive us, O Lord. Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Are we ready?
Ready for the coming of Christ Jesus
with the mercy which is judgement
and the judgement which is mercy?
Are we ready?

Revive us, O Lord. Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Hymn

People, Look East UMH# 202

Joys & Concerns s with the Lord’s Prayer

Rev. Lisa Hartzog 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

Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candles

Brad and Leigh Guth

All: We wait as people surprised again and again by God who shakes us out of our complacency and wakes us up to the work of the kin-dom all around us.

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

Isaiah 64:1-9

Duet

I Wonder as I Wander John Jacob Niles
Cindy Fulton and Chip Hayden

A Reading from the Gospels

Mark 13:24-37

Sermon

Stay Awake | Rev. Lisa Hartzog

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon

In the darkness of our world, in the challenge of our lives, God's light comes to us. Not because we are good enough, but because God's love is greater than any failing we have. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and made new.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new. Thanks be to God.

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
Stanzas 1 and 3

Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light

Postlude

What Child Is This arr. Donald Smith