WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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.
(Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 10, 2023 • 11:00AM
CANTICLE But Who May Abide (from Messiah) — G. F. Handel But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire. SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 26:7-13
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
Gesu Bambino — arr. Dana F. Everson
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Deck the Halls with Peace”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Andante pastorale for Oboe and Organ (from Op. 98) — Josef Rheinberger
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 peace, O God, give peace again!
OPENING PRAYER 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. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #203 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed — ELLACOMBE
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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.
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AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Come, Renew Your Love for Him — GLORIA Come, renew your love for Him: Jesus Christ, who sets us free! Cast off fear and doubt and shame; live in grace eternally! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Ward Bennett Charlie Birkins Camilla Boehnlein Will Bumgarner Nell Chandler Sloan Clark Eleanor Coulter Katy Cox Charlotte Doud Thomas Doud Leighton Doud Beverly Douglas Borden Douglas Mills Douglas Caroline Dunnagan Jay Dunnagan Sally Dunnagan Anne Scott Dwiggins James Edmundson Georgia Elliott Meg Gillliam Joanna Holden Libby Holden Caroline Hollan Adelaide Jernigan Louise Johnson
Thor Johnson Vida Kennedy Porter Lassiter Bo Linker Matthew Lycan Thomas Lycan Chandler Marley Hamilton Norman Jack Norman Mary Claire Norman Anne Overman Mac Packard Taylor Paris Jack Pfefferkorn Stella Jane Pierce Thomas Pierce Elle Reid Chandler Robinson MacRae Robinson Thomas Saxon McCall Stanley Gracie Ward Jack Ward Charlie Zaks Lilly Zaks
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.
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GREETING INTROIT
CENTENARY TORCHBEARERS & CRUCIFERS
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Almighty and most merciful God, from you comes every good and perfect gift. We give you praise and thanks for all your mercies. Your goodness has created us, your bounty has sustained us, your discipline has chastened us, your patience has borne with us, your love has redeemed us. Give us a heart to love and serve you, and enable us to show our thankfulness for all your goodness and mercy by giving up ourselves to your service, and cheerfully submitting in all things to your blessed will; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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#218 It Came upon the Midnight Clear — CAROL
CRUCIFER & TORCHBEARER DEDICATION BENEDICTION
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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.
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III, Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister
CRUCIFER Anne Scott Dwiggins TORCHBEARERS Chandler Robinson MacRae Robinson
ADVENT WREATH Lyne and Kathryn Gamble MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Sara Lynch, Oboe Danielle Romano, mezzo-soprano
POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 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.