Order of Worship
December 8, 2024

Order of Worship

December 08, 2024 (Candle of Peace)

(The Second Sunday of Advent, Year C)

10:00 AM

*Those who are able, please stand. Those who may not be able to stand, please remain seated.”

Prelude: “Andante”  Kate Loder “Now, Come, Savior of the Heathens”  Dieterich Buxtehude

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)

To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christs example.”

Introit: “One Candle Is Lit”         Mary Anne Parrott/Wm. Kirkpatrick 

Choral Response: “Into My Heart”  Harry Clarke 

*Call to Worship (Responsive)

L: Welcome today to this time of preparation.
P: Although we have been preparing for celebrations, we come seeking to prepare our hearts to receive God’s Good News.
L: Get ready! A child brings us Hope and Peace.
P: How wonderful it is that God showers us with Peace.
L: Open your hearts and let your spirits be quieted. Be at peace with our Creator and his Beloved.
P: Loving God, prepare our lives and bring us peace. AMEN.

Lighting the Advent Candle of Peace

Today, on this Second Sunday of Advent, we light the Candles of Hope and Peace. We are called to be ready to receive something life-changing, something wholly new. The angels’ song reminds us that there is hope and peace to bring light and repel the dark that may have descended on the people’s lives. Come to light the Candles of Hope and Peace.

Candle Lighting Hymn: “One Candle is Lit” # 128 (verse #2)

Reader 1: Today, we light two candles, the candles of HOPE and Peace reminders that God’s promises are true.

Reader 2: We place our hope in God and pray for Peace.

Reader 1: We place our lives in God’s care.

Reader 2: Come, all is ready. Let the candles HOPE and Peace increase the brightness of our hearts and spirits.

*GATHERING HYMN:  “Christians All, Your Lord is Coming” #136

PRAYER OF INVOCATION: We prepare our homes and gifts. God of light and love, we need help organizing our spirits to receive your message of Peace. Free us from the stresses and strains of this time, and place your peace which passes all our understanding in our hearts, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen

STATEMENT OF FAITH: (Unison) We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of Gods love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…

*SERMON HYMN: “Comfort, Comfort You My People” #122

WORD OF GOD:                           Luke 3:1-6

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

 Sermon:   “All Flesh Will See”                            Rev. Norman Michaud

JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service.)

CALL TO PRAYER:

Pastor: May God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer:

Choral Response:  “Into My Heart”  Harry Clarke

CALL TO GIVING: The birth of Jesus is coming. Prepare the way! Prepare to welcome the Messiah! Welcome the redeemer with your very lives. Know Christ’s tender mercy. May we give what we can through our offerings so that hope and peace will extend to the lives of all.

Offertory Music for Inspiration: “Watchmen, Tell Us of the Night” Lee Dengler

Doxology: (Tune: Old Hundredth)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;

Praise Holy Spirit evermore;

One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison) Gracious and Living God, we prepare for the birth of your Beloved Child. Through the voice of the prophet Isaiah and a preacher in the wilderness, we have heard that Jesus’ birth is near. Unfurl our hearts and open our minds to witness your hope and peace entering our lives. We dedicate this offering to your realm so it can come on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.

*HYMN OF DEPARTURE:  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #119      

Benediction: Peace be with you and with all whom you love. Go into God’s world with peace in your hearts and lives. Go in hope and peace. AMEN.

Postlude: “Scherzo”  Betsey Holmberg