WELCOME TO WORSHIP
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming — arr. Jan Sandström Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night. SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 2:1-5 (pew Bible Old Testament page 773) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Gift of Peace”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 4, 2022 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The prelude signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE GREETING INTROIT
OFFERTORY Prayer for Peace — David Cherwien O God of love, O King of peace, make wars throughout the world to cease; the wrath of nations now restrain. Give peace, O God, give peace again. Remember, Lord, thy works of old, the wonders that thy people told; remember not our sin’s dark stain. Give peace, O God, give peace again! Whom shall we trust but thee, O Lord? Where rest but on thy faithful word? None ever called on thee in vain. Give pece, O God, give peace again! DOXOLOGY #221 In the Bleak Midwinter — CRANHAM What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
†
PRAYER OF DEDICATION Almighty and forgiving God, we your unworthy servants give you most humble thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness, to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Give us such an awareness of your mercies, that our hearts may be thankful, and that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
†
People, Look East — BESANÇON People, look east. The time is near of the crowinging of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
CALL TO WORSHIP Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.
†
HYMN OF PROCESSION #213 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates — TRURO
WE CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION
†
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
†
GLORIA PATRI #71 Glory Be to the Father — GREATOREX 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.
†
LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO COMMUNION Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess before God and one another. CONFESSION AND PARDON The congregation is invited to follow the communion liturgy beginning on page 12 of the hymnal. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING THE LORD’S PRAYER 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
†
#218 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear — CAROL
BENEDICTION
†
BENEDICTION RESPONSE Go Now in Peace — Robert Lau Go now in peace, and may God’s peace go with you. Believe and trust His holy word. Amen.
†
POSTLUDE
†
Thank you for joining us in worship today. SERMON NOTES
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister LITURGISTS The Reverend Meg Gaston, Assoc. Minister The Reverend Susannah Pittman, Assoc. Minister
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Natalie Parker, Cello
ADVENT WREATH Stephen Ministry Team
RECEIVING OF ELEMENTS The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342
RESPONSE
By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.