December 7, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The 2nd Sunday of Advent
(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 fellowship in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)
THE CHURCH GATHERS
THE PRELUDE Call to Advent Hopson
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Samuel R. Schaal
Minister: A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. -- Isaiah 40:3
People: Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." -- Isaiah 40:5
Minister: Speak to us Lord. As you promised through your prophets Isaiah and John the Baptist, come to us now.
People: May all the barriers be removed so that we can receive your Word and worship you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
*HYMN 221 O Day of God, Draw Nigh
*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
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, 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, and taught us to say:
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.
*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)
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.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Margaret, John & Elizabeth Brown
Reader #1: Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for God to send God’s love and light into our dark, human world.
Reader #2: How does this happen?
Reader #1: God’s most perfect love comes through Jesus. Jesus became a human being just like you and me, so that he could show us God’s light and saving love.
ALL: “Merciful God, give us grace to heed the prophets’ warnings and to forsake our sins, so that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.”
Reader #3: A reading from the second letter of Peter: “In according with God’s promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by God at peace, without spot or blemish.” (2 Peter 3:13-14)
Reader #1: Today, we continue to wait for God to send Jesus to us, Jesus who is the Light of the world. We wait for a time when God will comfort God’s people, a time when the Lord will make straight in the desert a highway for God to come to us. We wait for the valleys to be lifted up and the uneven ground to be level for our feet. We wait in the darkness of our lives, and on this second Sunday of Advent, we light the second candle.
First and second candles are lit. While the candles are being lit, the following is read:
Reader #2: Every week in Advent, we will light another candle. Each candle that we light will remind us that the Light of the World will soon come to us in the human form of the baby Jesus.
ALL: Today, God’s messengers still cry out in the wilderness of our lives to prepare the Way of the Lord. May we hear those messengers. May we repent of our sins. May we prepare for God’s love to change our minds and hearts. Oh God, we ask you to baptize us with the fire and love of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
HYMN 88 Canticle of the Turning (verse 1)
THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE ANTHEM Light One Candle Sleeth
Cherub Choir directed by Michelle Russ
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Peter 3:8-15a Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 1109 Children’s Bible, page 1746
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
*HYMN 84 Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People
[Verses give us the Old Testament Lesson – Isaiah 40:1-8]
THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8 Bible, page 910 Children’s Bible, page 1424
THE COMMUNION REFLECTION “Well Begun” Dr. Peay
THE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Jeff Greipp Melissa Greipp
Don Holub Eleanor Holub
Todd Hanson Maureen Hanson
Thomas Gregory Patricia Gregory
Paul Schmidt
THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come Manz
*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION and ASSURANCE OF PARDON (unison)
God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
[A Minister initiates the prayer, when we hear “who forever sing to the glory of your Name” we all say:]
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.
[The Ministers continue the prayer.]
THE COMMUNION
[We hold the bread and receive together to show our oneness in Christ. The cup we take as it comes to us to show our individual relationship with the Lord.]
*HYMN 142 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
[This hymn, drawn from the ancient Liturgy of St. James, serves as our post-communion prayer.]
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Rejoice, All You Christians Pepping
* Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
** The candle lighting liturgy is by The Rev. Sheila N. McJilton, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Laurel, MD
Today’s Chancel flowers are given in honor of Betty Barr’s 95th birthday
from her children & grandchildren.
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.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, December 14 10:00 A.M.
Next week, the Third Sunday of Advent, the children present the annual Christmas Pageant.
Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled “Mary: Out of the Crèche.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.