FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WAUWATOSA

 

December 10, 2006

MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 A.M.

Second Sunday in Advent

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS                                  Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.           

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday,

we would love to greet you following the service or at coffee hour in the Social Hall.)

 

PRELUDE                              Prelude on a French Advent Carol                                  Matthews                       

 

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

                                      

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                             Rev. Robert J. Brink

Leader:      Hear this proclamation from God through the prophet Malachi: “I’m sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you’ve been looking for will enter his temple – yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you’ve been waiting for. Look! He’s on his way!”

People:     Who can stand his coming, who can survive his appearing?

Leader:      He is as white-hot fire from a smelter’s furnace.

People:     He will refine us like fine silver.

Leader:      He is as strong lye-soap from the laundry;

People:     like dirty clothes we will be cleansed

Leader:      and made fit to be in the presence of Almighty God.

People:     Amen.

 

*HYMN 115                           On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

 

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH AND PRAYER OF INVOCATION

                                                                                 The Kevin and Jenny Breitzmann Family

 

VOICE           Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent Wreath, the candle of hope. We light it again as we remember that Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, will come again to fulfill all of God’s promises to us. (a person lights the candle of hope)

VOICE            The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace. Peace is a word that we hear a lot. It is one of the things that we hope for. Christ brought peace when he first came to us and he will bring everlasting peace when he comes again.

VOICE            The prophet Isaiah called Christ “the Prince of Peace.” When Jesus came he taught people the importance of being peace makers. He said that those who make peace shall be called the children of God.

VOICE            We light the candle of peace to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through him peace is found.   (a person lights the candle of peace)

VOICE            Peace is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate the peace we find in Jesus Christ.

ALL                 God of our salvation, you straighten the winding ways of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin. Keep our conduct blameless, keep our hearts watchful in holiness, keep us abiding in your peace beyond understanding and bring to perfection the good you have begun in us. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near; your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

 

ASCRIPTION OF GLORY

                                                    “Gloria in Excelsis Deo!”

 

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM              

                                                  Madison Emily York, daughter of David and Deborah York

 

THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

 

THE CHERUB CHOIR            Light One Candle for Waiting                                      Bedford

                                                      Michelle Russ, Director

 

*CANTICLE (insert)                     Blessed be the God of Israel

            {Children ages 3 through 8th grade are dismissed to Sunday School

                                              during the singing of the Canticle.}

 

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON   Philippians 1:3-11                   Rev. Samuel R. Schaal

                                                                                                                      Bible, page 1068

 

 

 

 

 

THE GOSPEL LESSON                       Luke 3:1-6                                       Bible, page 934           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

HYMN 104                               Comfort, Comfort Ye My People                            verses 1 and 2

 

THE SERMON                                  “Going Straight”                                             Dr. Peay

 

HYMN 104                               Comfort, Comfort Ye My People                                       verse 3

 

THE CALL TO PRAYER AND SILENT MEDITATION

 

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

 

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

 

THE OFFERTORY

 

THE ANTHEM                             And All In the Morning                                               Near

 

*THE DOXOLOGY

 

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

 

*HYMN 114                         Lift Up Your Head, Ye Mighty Gates                                             

 

*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

 

*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE


Go now in peace. Never be afraid.

God will go with you each hour of every day.

Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.

Know He will guide you in all you do.

Go now in love, and show you believe.

Reach out to others so all the world can see.

God will be there, watching from above.

Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.


 

*THE POSTLUDE                  Improvisation on an Advent Carol                                                                        

 

*The congregation is invited to stand, if able.

 

The Christmas decorations are provided by the Board of Deacons

and through the generous donations of members in honor of or in memory of loved ones.

 

 

 

Worship Preview for Sunday, December 17, 2006 ~ 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Next Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled, “O JOY!”

 Thomas Gregory is the organist.

Lee Jacobi directs the Pilgrim Choir at 8:45 and the Chancel Choir at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

 

Pilgrim Choir Anthem

 

And All In the Morning

Traditional English Tune and Text

 

It was on Christmas Day,

And all in the morning,

Our Saviour was born,

And our heavenly King:

And was not this a joyful thing?

And sweet Jesus they called him by name.

 

It was on the Twelfth Day,

And all in the morning,

The wise men were led

To our heavenly King:

And was not this a joyful thing?

And sweet Jesus they called him by name.

 

It was on Candlemas Day,

And all in the morning,

They visited the Temple

With our heavenly King:

And was not this a joyful thing?

And sweet Jesus they called him by name.

 

It was on Good Friday,

And all in the morning,

They crucified our Saviour

And our heavenly King:

And was not this a woeful thing?

And sweet Jesus we'll call him by name.

 

It was on Easter Day,

And all in the morning,

Our Saviour arose,

Our own heavenly King;

The sun and the moon

They did both rise with him,

And sweet Jesus we'll call him by name.