Sunday, December 5, 2010
2nd Sunday of Advent
GATHERING
WELCOME IN THE NAME OF THE SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Second Sunday in Advent
PRELUDE MUSIC: Patty Bell
*OPENING HYMN: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” UMH 218 verse 1-2
TIME WITH YOUTH: **LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
We light this first candle, reminding us of God’s promise of peace on earth.
PSALM 72:1-7
O God, we remember that you sent Jesus, not to the rich and the powerful, but to the poor and those in need. We remember that Jesus healed the sick, comforted those who mourn, and went out of his way to love even little children.
(Light the second candle)
Lord, may the light of this second candle, as it dispels the darkness around it, help to remind us that we are to dispel the darkness of sickness, poverty, injustice, and suffering all around us.
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen
SING: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” UMH 218 verse 3 only
INVOCATION:
God of grace and glory, as we gather this morning to worship you, refocus our minds on the real meaning of this season: to watch and to wait. It’s difficult to wait patiently for the birth of the Christ child, all the while anticipating our Lord’s return. Help us set aside the concerns of the world in this holiday season so we may hear John the Baptist’s words, take them to heart and focus on preparing the way of the Lord. Help us repent so we come before you with contrite spirits, ready to recommit our lives to you. Amen.
HYMN: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” UMH 211 v 1-4
PROCLAMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
God of wisdom, we approach your Word with wonder, for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Lord, open our ears that we might hear, open our hearts that we might feel, open our minds that we might learn and open our souls that we might grow in our relationship with you. Amen.
EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 15:4-13 PB, pg. 154
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 3:1-12 PB, pg. 2
MESSAGE Pastor Vicki
RESPONSE TO THE WORD: “Spirit Song” UMH 347
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, forgive us. During this season when our focus should be on the coming of your Son. Instead we’re filled with desire for material things. We succumb to the lure of advertising. We covet what others have. We seek to fulfill all the wants of our children with little regard to cost or need. In the process, we spend money we don’t have and fail to appreciate the season’s true meaning. Turn our hearts to you and to those who are less fortunate than we are. Help us tune out what culture calls us to believe so we can listen, instead, to your holy Word.
PARDON
Friends, we hear the words of God’s forgiveness from Mary, the mother of Jesus: God’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: sharing joys and concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS
RESPONSE: “Jesus, Name Above All Names” Renew 26
Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord. Emmanuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, Living Word.
COMMUNION AND SENDING FORTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
COMMUNION
CIRCLE SONG: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” UMH 211 refrain only
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel.
*BLESSING
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*Please stand as you are able.
**Used by permission: copyright 2010 General Board of Discipleship
Reminder: Dec. 19 is All Church Conference @ 10:00. Rev Gary Kennedy is preaching.
The Christmas program will be by the youth on Christmas Eve. @ 5:45 pm.