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WORSHIP DECEMBER 4 2016
11 A.M. WORSHIP
THE GATHERING Sarah Are
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
THE PRELUDE Sleepers, Wake! J.S Bach
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT Youth Liturgists
*UNISON PRAYER:
People: Eternal God, creator of all light and life, we give you thanks for LOVE shown in the coming of the Christ, the light that shines in the darkness, the life of all people. Let us walk in the light of the Lord, Amen.
*THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 3 Comfort, Comfort You My People PSALM 42
THE TIME WITH CHILDREN Sarah Are
THE CALL TO CONFESSION
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, remind us of our baptism as we prepare to come to your table. Remind us of your unconditional love poured out for the world. Remind us of your incarnation, taking on flesh so that we might know the depth and width of your love for humankind. And reminding us of these things, let us be honest with ourselves and you about our failures. Where we have failed to love as you love, forgive us. Where we have lived only for ourselves, forgive us. Where we have hurt others intentionally, forgive us. Where we have offended others through omission, forgive us. Give us the grace to recognize our faults and seek fresh starts that we may indeed abound in hope, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE (for examination of conscience and personal prayers of confession)
*(The asterisk indicates parts of the worship when the congregation is invited to stand as they are able.)
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: When the fullness of time had come, God sent the Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
People: And because you are God’s children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son unto our hearts, crying. “Abba, Father!”
Leader: So you are no longer a slave, but a child, and if a child, then also an heir, through God. Believe the Promise of the Gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! - Galatians 4:4-7
THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn 12)
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 rose is on the way.
*THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
People: And also with you.
THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
(Visitors and members are invited to sign the blue friendship register pad and pass it down the pew.)
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 3: 1-12 (page 2 in the pew Bible, NT)
THE ANTHEM Behold, the Lord Shall Come Daniel Pinkham
Behold, the Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven with great power, alleluia. The mountains and hills shall sing praise before God and all the trees of the woods shall clap their hands. For the Lord of all that has dominion shall come into his everlasting kingdom, alleluia, alleluia. (Luke 21, 27; Isaiah 55:12)
THE EPISTLE LESSON Romans 15: 4-13 (page 153 in the pew Bible, NT)
THE SERMON “Abounding in Hope” Baron Mullis
*THE HYMN 11 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You? VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN
THE OFFERTORY Variations on “Infant Holy” Alexander Guilmant
*THE DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION VENI EMMANUEL
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. Rejoice!
Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation
The Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts!
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give thanks and praise.
Leader: It is truly right…
And with our loved ones, separate from us now, who yet in this mystery
are close to us, we join in the song of your unending greatness.
Sanctus (during the Great Thanksgiving) (Hymn 581)
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, hosanna in the highest.
Leader: You are holy, O God of majesty…Great is the mystery of faith.
People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion by intinction
(To receive communion by Intinction, please come forward by the center aisle, tear a generous piece of bread from the loaf, and dip it in the chalice before returning to your pew using the side aisles. Anyone unable to come forward will be served in their pew. For those unable to consume gluten, please go to Dr. Mullis’s communion station.)
THE MUSIC AT COMMUNION
THE PRAYER AFTER THE MEAL
*THE HYMN The Christ Shall Come CAROL
The Christ shall come in truth and love, a gift by God’s own will; our ageless hope in him con-firmed, God’s promise soon fulfilled. The people who in darkness live, their one true Light shall see, and all the corners of the earth shall shout his majesty!
The ancient prophets did foretell the advent of our King; May we prepare our hearts to hold the joys that he will bring. From Jesse’s stock a Child shall come, from David’s line a Son to reign with God, as God he is, and make the nations one.
O God of hope, Thou Prince of Peace, give us the faith to know the Holy Comforter we seek shall come, and not be slow! Fill with your love our wanting souls this joyous advent tide; and make our hearts a home where Christ forever will abide. (Text: Michael Morgan)
*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*THE CHORAL RESPONSE Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come VENI EMMANUEL
*THE POSTLUDE Improvisation Jonathan Crutchfield
*(The asterisk indicates parts of the worship when the congregation is invited to stand as they are able.)
