December 6, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 AM
The Second 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 Social Hall.)

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE PRELUDE Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending Callahan

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CHURCH GATHERS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Jan J. Kwiatkowski, M.S., M.F.T.

Minister: Get up, there’s work to be done for the Coming One!
People: High places and high ones to be made low.
Minister: Low places and low ones to be lifted up.
People: God promises to make a way.
Minister: Begin with us, O God, move and work through us.
People: For the world cries out for the life and hope God brings.

*HYMN 84 Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People

*THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Scott, Deborah, Brenna & Abi Masloroff

HYMN 83 People Look East verse 2

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever 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 CHURCH HEARS THE WORD

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Malachi 3:1-4 Bible, page 874 Children’s Bible, page 1367

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Mia Angelica Riofrio
daughter of Monica Stevens & Fabricio Riofrio

THE COVENANT OF BAPTISM

Minister: What can we affirm about our children?
People: That they are made in the image of God and are children of God by creation.
Minister: As Mia grows in our congregation, how will we show her that she is a child of God?
People: We will tell her about Abraham, the father of our faith; about Sarah, the mother of Isaac; about Moses, who led our ancestors out of bondage; about Ruth’s example of faithfulness; about the Jewish hope for a Messiah; about Jesus Christ the Savior; and about the history of the Church as the people of God.
Minister: What will we expect of Mia?
People: We look to the day when she will sit with us at the Lord’s Table, declare faith in Jesus Christ, confirm the heritage which we will pass along to her, and come as an adult to full commitment to God’s will and work.
Minister: In presenting your child for baptism, you announce your love for Jesus Christ, your eagerness to participate in the life of Christ’s body, the church, and your commitment to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Is this your desire?
Parents: It is.
Minister: Do you parents assume your primary responsibility for modeling the Christian faith and teaching Mia these expectations?
Parents: Yes, we happily accept this serious duty.
Minister: Do you who stand as sponsor assume your responsibility to assist these parents in the fulfillment of their covenant that Mia be instructed in the Word of God, brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, kept in communion with the church and strengthened to live in a godly manner?
Sponsors: Yes, I assume my role as “god parent” with joy and hope.
Minister: Members of this Church, as of the whole Church of Christ, do you pledge to work toward creating a nurturing environment for Mia and all our children?
People: Yes, we do, for they belong to us as well.
Minister: With joy, we celebrate together the gift of God’s grace in Christ. May God be with us.
People: God help us. Amen.

THE BAPTISM AND RECEIVING OF THE CHILD

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

*THE CANTICLE HYMNAL 735 Benedictus – Luke 1:68-79 Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.
[The Choir will sing the Antiphon between each strophe while the Minister and Congregation will read responsively.]

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Philippians 1:3-11 Bible, page 1068 Children’s Bible, page 1671

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 3:1-6 Bible, page 934 Children’s Bible, page 1462

THE COMMUNION MEDITATION “Christmas Preparation 101” Dr. Peay

THE ANTHEM Magnificat Thompson
Kim Porter, Soprano

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

Minister: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

THE ANTHEM As It Fell Upon A Night Davis

*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)

Holy God, we need not travel to the desert to encounter dry or twisted places where life is threatened. We long for the day that ushers in justice and compassion. And we rejoice that this day awaits not only in distant fulfillment, but in places and persons where your work is done even now. Prepare us for the hoped-for harvest, and work through our lives right now to bring your promises to fruition. By your forgiveness set us free. By your Spirit, call us into new life. In Christ, make us whole. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING PRAYER

Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right that we should give our thanks and praise.

[The minister continues the prayer, when we hear to proclaim the glory of your name we all join in saying:]

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 Great Thanksgiving Prayer.]

[As we share communion, please hold the bread so that we may receive together as a sign of our unity in Christ. As the cup comes to you receive it, as a sign of our individual relationship to Christ.]

THE PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

*HYMN 89 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry Callahan

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers 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 3 years through 8th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, December 13 10:00 AM
Next week, the Third Sunday of Advent, the 5K class presents the annual Christmas Pageant.
Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski will offer the sermon entitled “Becoming.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Michelle Russ directs the Cherub Choir.