WELCOME TO WORSHIP
LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH
PRAYER OF DEDICATION Most holy and gracious God accept these gifts from our hearts. May they be used to share the message of your love with a world that is hurting. May these gifts shine like light in the darkness offering hope, and peace. May we offer ourselves and dedicate our lives to your service this week using our talents and time to build your kingdom. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
†
RESPONSE #230 O Little Town of Bethlehem — ST. LOUIS O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT • NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • 11:00AM
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.)
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
Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599 — J.S. Bach Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn, BWV 601 — J.S. Bach
GREETING INTROIT
Prepare the Way — BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN Prepare the Way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near! Let every hill and valley a level way appear. Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story. O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
CALL TO WORSHIP Almighty God, Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain — Carolyn Jennings Climb to the top of the highest mountain, joyous tidings proclaim to the world, lift up your voice, shout the good news: Behold, your Lord comes to you. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, He will carry the lambs in his arms, He will ever keep them safe from harm. Behold, your Lord comes to you. He who made the stars in the heaven, He who fashioned the earth and the sea, from time eternal he was God, the Alpha and Omega, He. Behold, your Lord! He will come in power and glory, He will rule with mercy and truth, Hope of all the nations, Light of all the world. He will love the little children, He will hold them in his arms. Love him and trust him as a child, Behold, your Lord comes to you. SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 11:1-10 (pew Bible Old Testament page 784) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
†
HYMN OF PROCESSION #211 O Come, O Come Emmanuel — VENI EMMANUEL (Verses 1,4,6,7)
†
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. 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.
†
SERMON — “Gift of Hope”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Comfort, Comfort Ye, My People — arr. Howard Helvey Comfort, comfort ye my people, speak ye peace, thus saith our God; comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning ‘neath their sorrow’s load. Speak ye to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell her that her sins I cover, and her warfare now is over. Make ye straight what long was crooked, make the rougher places plain; let your hearts be true and humble, as befits His holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now o’er earth is shed abroad; and all flesh shall see the token that the word is never broken. 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.
†
HYMN
†
#196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus — HYFRYDOL
BENEDICTION
†
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
†
POSTLUDE
†
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON NOTES
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Susannah Pittman, Assoc. Minister FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Betty & Eben Alexander by their children & grandchildren.
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Anne Morgan, percussion Laura Stevens, flute ADVENT WREATH Stephen, Thomas & Scarlett Saxon
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.